Care Tech and Tips

Barry Johnson and Bobby Clark
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"Care Tech & Tips" is like tech support meets family therapy, with two guys who’ve been there. The podcast that helps you bring order to caregiving chaos. Get smarter with tech, money, and care strategies—without the overwhelm. We keep it real, light, and actually helpful.

  1. 13 UUR GELEDEN

    Locking Down Mom’s iPhone: The Caregiver Tech Nobody Talks About

    As our parents age, technology becomes both a lifeline and a risk. In this episode, Barry and Bobby explore the growing challenge caregivers face: how to keep loved ones connected without exposing them to scams, confusion, or tech overload. They dive into Apple’s Assistive Access feature, which simplifies smartphones for people with cognitive, vision, or motor limitations. While Apple has made impressive progress in creating safer and simpler phone interfaces, the guys discuss where the system still falls short and what improvements could make a huge difference for caregivers. From limiting calls and messages to simplifying apps and managing contacts, Barry and Bobby share practical insights from their own experiences supporting parents and family members. They also discuss tools like Screen Time, Google Family Link, Bark, and other monitoring apps, along with the delicate balance between protecting loved ones and respecting their independence. The conversation ends with a wishlist of features they’d love Apple (and Google) to build next — and a call for the caregiver community to help push these ideas forward. Resources Mentioned Apple Assistive Access https://support.apple.com/guide/assistive-access Apple Screen Time https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208982 Google Family Link https://families.google/familylink/ Bark parental monitoring https://www.bark.us Mobicip monitoring https://www.mobicip.com Qustodio monitoring https://www.qustodio.com Show notes and resources are here: https://bit.ly/caretechandtips-resources

    30 min

  2. 2 MRT

    The Truth About Assisted Living Turnover (No One Tells You This)

    Why do assisted living facilities keep changing ownership — and why is staff turnover so high? In this episode, Barry shares a real story from his aunt’s facility and breaks down what’s actually happening behind the scenes. From private equity ownership churn to staffing burnout and post-COVID ripple effects, we unpack why so many families are seeing instability in senior care. Then Bobby shares practical guidance on how to evaluate facilities and advocate for your loved one. They discuss person-centered care, dignity and respect, building relationships with staff, and why showing up consistently still matters more than most people realize. If you’re navigating assisted living, nursing homes, or long-term care decisions, this episode offers reassurance, clarity, and practical ways to focus on what really matters: the lived experience of your loved one. Show notes and resources are here: https://bit.ly/caretechandtips-resources

    19 min

  3. 16 FEB

    When Is a Phone Too Old?

    In Episode 30, Barry and Bobby dive into practical tech tips for caregivers and families supporting older loved ones. The conversation starts with a surprisingly common question: how old is too old for a phone? Bobby walks through real-world experience upgrading his mom’s aging iPhone and shares what to expect when transferring data, handling SIM cards, and setting up a simpler device for rehab or assisted living. Barry introduces a clever caregiving gadget called MemoryBoard — a digital display that shows photos, reminders, and messages for loved ones dealing with memory challenges. The episode wraps with a cautionary tale about AI spoof websites that mimic tools like Claude, reminding listeners to stay sharp online. Short, practical, and packed with real-world takeaways for caregivers navigating modern tech. MemoryBoard digital display iPhone Assistive Access settings Apple Find My device tracking SIM vs eSIM concepts Show notes and resources are here: https://bit.ly/caretechandtips-resources

    22 min

  4. 2 FEB

    Snowmageddon, Strokes, and the Pool Noodle Survival Guide

    Show notes and resources are here: https://bit.ly/caretechandtips-resources In this episode of Care Tech & Tips, Barry and Bobby tackle one of those January-doesn’t-play-fair moments. Bobby shares firsthand experience navigating his mom’s recent minor stroke—what happened, what mattered most, and what caregivers need to know before they’re in crisis mode. From recognizing stroke warning signs and understanding rehab timelines, to managing insurance days, caregiver burnout, and the emotional toll of being “the calm one,” this is a grounded, real-world conversation every caregiver should hear. The episode then shifts gears (literally and figuratively) into winter storm survival—covering safe generator use, indoor propane heaters, carbon monoxide monitoring, and one surprisingly effective $2 hack involving a pool noodle. Heavy stuff. Practical stuff. Honest stuff. Exactly what Care Tech & Tips is about. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to Snowmageddon 01:00 – Bobby shares his mom’s stroke experience 02:00 – When in doubt: go to the ER 03:00 – Getting “the call” and staying calm as a caregiver 06:30 – Don’t freak out till you find out 07:45 – Why paperwork (POA, hospital records) matters before crisis 09:15 – Stroke recovery basics: consistency over speed 11:00 – Rehab explained: PT, OT, speech therapy 14:30 – Medicare, insurance, and managing rehab days 17:30 – Fatigue, frustration, and patience after a stroke 19:45 – Caregiver burnout: you can’t pour from an empty cup 21:30 – “January just sucks” (and why that matters) 23:30 – Power outages and winter storm prep 25:00 – Pool noodles, generators, and indoor heaters 27:30 – Carbon monoxide safety (cars, generators, heaters) 30:40 – Wrapping up & staying connected Key Topics Covered Recognizing stroke symptoms early Minor vs. major stroke realities Rehab timelines and brain rewiring Why early rehab matters Navigating insurance & Medicare rehab limits Emotional changes after stroke Caregiver burnout and self-care Winter storm safety for caregivers Generator and car safety basics Carbon monoxide detection (non-negotiable) Low-cost emergency preparedness hacks Resources Mentioned Show notes and resources are here: https://bit.ly/caretechandtips-resources Stroke warning signs (FAST method) Medical Power of Attorney prep Rehab planning with hospital caseworkers Indoor-safe propane heaters (with CO monitors) Carbon monoxide detectors for winter outages

    33 min

  5. 19 JAN

    Sustainable Pace Beats Heroic Exhaustion

    Show notes and resources are here: https://bit.ly/caretechandtips-resources In this episode, Barry and Bobby kick off the new year by talking about something that quietly hurts a lot of caregivers: completion bias—that irresistible urge to “just finish one more thing,” even when you’re already exhausted. Barry shares how that mindset recently earned him a tweaked back while working on his dad’s house, and the conversation turns into a much bigger truth: caregiving isn’t a completion game—it’s a sustainability game. They introduce the idea of energy budgeting (treating your energy like money), talk about setting limits before you’re wiped out, and why stopping at a sensible point is often the responsible choice—even if the job isn’t done. Then things turn very practical: A serious PSA about norovirus (and why hand sanitizer doesn’t cut it) Why bleach, isolation, and timing actually matter How shoes and carpets can spread it (yep… gross) Why this season’s combo of norovirus, flu, and measles is especially dangerous for older adults They also cover: A disturbing scam attempt targeting Bobby’s mom by pretending to be him Why even smart, tech-savvy people can get fooled now Why you should never respond to money requests in texts or late-night calls Plus: An important update: The IRS is phasing out paper refund checks — direct deposit and digital methods are becoming the default A follow-up on Barry’s “parking lot list” strategy for deferring tasks A very real, very human conversation about how hard it is to close the last digital loops after losing someone This is one of those episodes that’s part practical survival guide, part emotional reality check, and part permission slip to stop running yourself into the ground.

    24 min

  6. 5 JAN

    Caregiving Isn’t One Thing — It’s 47 Little Things

    Caregiving doesn’t arrive as one big problem—it shows up as dozens of small, interrupting, emotionally loaded moments. In this episode, Barry and Bobby catch up after a busy stretch and walk through real-world caregiving challenges: managing constant “I want” requests without burning out, navigating Medicare scams, handling technology changes during a parent’s move, and addressing sensitive caregiving situations with dignity and respect. Along the way, they share practical systems, hard-earned lessons, and reminders caregivers don’t hear often enough: you’re doing something important, and it matters. This episode is part therapy, part field manual, and very much grounded in lived experience. Show notes and resources are here: https://bit.ly/caretechandtips-resources

    44 min

  7. AFLEVERING 999

    We'll be back in January!

    We are taking a holiday hiatus!  See you soon.

    15 sec.

  8. 19-10-2025

    Weaponized Attention, Holiday Cheer, and Unicorn Houses

    In this episode, Barry and Bobby pull back the curtain on how social media platforms turn engagement into profit. They discuss how seemingly innocent viral posts — alien probes, heartwarming rescue stories, outrage memes — are part of a larger playbook designed to harvest your attention and cash it in. They also talk about how this algorithmic manipulation affects older adults, from Facebook feeds to TV commercials targeting their fears and habits. The conversation naturally flows into practical caregiver strategies: recognizing manipulative messaging, understanding alert systems like Amber Alerts, and calming stressed loved ones when tech overwhelms them. Later in the show, Barry shares a Medicare billing scam story involving fake catheter charges and offers practical reminders to check Explanation of Benefits statements. They also discuss holiday planning with loved ones in assisted living, Barry’s exciting progress with his dad’s house move, and strategies to make gatherings accessible and emotionally inclusive. The episode closes on a reflective note: caregiver guilt, the importance of self-care, and how journaling (digital or analog) can help process the emotional weight of caregiving.

    34 min
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"Care Tech & Tips" is like tech support meets family therapy, with two guys who’ve been there. The podcast that helps you bring order to caregiving chaos. Get smarter with tech, money, and care strategies—without the overwhelm. We keep it real, light, and actually helpful.

Informatie

  • Maker
    Barry Johnson and Bobby Clark
  • Jaren actief
    2024 - 2026
  • Afleveringen
    36
  • Beoordeling
    Expliciet
  • Copyright
    © 2024
  • Website van aflevering
    Care Tech and Tips
  • Provider