Care Tech and Tips

Barry Johnson and Bobby Clark

"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 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
  3. 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

Info

"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.