In this grab bag episode, Barry and Bobby cover everything from scams and digital hygiene to emotional moments in caregiving. Barry opens up with a story about learning the hard way that being “right” isn’t always helpful—especially in caregiving situations. They debunk the overhyped 16-billion credential breach, share essential password and scam-spotting tips, give an update on DMV ID changes, and dive deep into how fear often hides behind our need for control. Barry wraps with a reflective story inspired by a bicycle ride and some programming wisdom that unexpectedly applies to caregiving.

• 00:00 — Barry’s “do you want to be right or do you want it to work?” story

• 01:20 — Summer heat check-in and life updates

• 02:00 — The overhyped “16 billion credential leak” explained

• 04:45 — Why password managers and multi-factor auth still matter

• 06:00 — Have I Been Pwned? and cleaning up your password hygiene

• 07:45 — Email scams, AI-powered phishing, and red flag spotting

• 09:00 — Barry’s real-life PayPal scam attempt and how to respond

• 12:00 — The psychological toll of scams on older relatives

• 13:00 — South Carolina DMV changes: no more same-day IDs

• 15:00 — Real ID, fraud prevention, and planning ahead for ID renewals

• 15:45 — Deep thoughts from Barry’s morning ride: why we nitpick and correct

• 18:00 — Fear, control, and the importance of talking to others

• 19:30 — The power of shared fears and building emotional support

• 21:00 — Listener email invitation and how to reach out

• 21:45 — Tech meets psychology: Perl’s “3 virtues” and how they don’t always serve you in caregiving

• 24:08 — Final thoughts and sign-off

• Caregiving psychology: control vs compassion

• Digital hygiene and password safety

• Phishing and AI-powered scam prevention

• South Carolina’s DMV shift & Real ID changes

• When tech virtues don’t serve caregiving moments

• Emotional self-awareness and fear sharing

• Have I Been Pwned? – Check if your email was in a breach

• What Got You Here Won’t Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith

• DMV state list for Real ID policies (see show notes)

• Show notes and resources are here: https://bit.ly/caretechandtips-resources

Show Notes:

This week, Barry and Bobby dive into extreme summer heat and how it uniquely affects seniors and their caregivers—plus, they uncover the magic of senior-friendly ride services that don’t require a smartphone. And yes, Barry once again brings the cookies from the "retired nap club."

Key Topics:

• Heat dome warnings and heat stroke signs to watch for

• Tips for keeping seniors safe and cool

• HVAC maintenance and hydration reminders

• New ride services that cater to seniors—smartphone optional!

• Personal stories about simple tech tasks that aren’t always so simple

• Time zone bugs, clock confusion, and how caregivers can help with “easy” phone features

️ Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Welcome & heat wave reality check

• 01:00 – Recognizing signs of heat stroke in seniors

• 02:30 – AC maintenance & hydration reminders

• 03:30 – Barry’s personal heat warning symptom

• 05:38 – Ride services for seniors (Uber Caregiver, GoGo Grandparent, etc.)

• 10:00 – Helping seniors with simple tech tasks (alarm clocks, time settings)

• 13:00 – Obscure phone bug from a cell tower

• 13:30 – Shout-out to new listeners in New Orleans & Slidell!

Resources Mentioned:

• Uber Caregiver

• Uber Call to Ride

• Lyft Silver

• GoGo Grandparent

• Arrive

• SilverRide

• Comfort Keepers

Show notes and resources are here: https://bit.ly/caretechandtips-resources

Summary:
Barry and Bobby cover a wide spectrum of caregiver insights in this info-packed episode. They start with the importance of "margin" in daily life, then dive into cognitive screening tools like the BOCA and MOCA tests. They discuss the Real ID deadline (yep, it happened!) and break down the DMV scam surge. Barry shares a clever reminder system for his dad using iOS shortcuts, while Bobby highlights the overlooked world of donation tracking. They finish strong with critical advice on pre-registering loved ones with memory issues for safety services. Full of wisdom, tech tips, and the usual warmth and wit.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Barry’s “margin” philosophy: build breathing room
01:13 – What’s the difference between BOCA and MOCA?
05:20 – Real ID deadline hit in May 2025: what caregivers need to know
08:39 – DMV scams and phishing: how to spot and avoid
14:31 – Underused amenities in assisted living: how to encourage your loved one
20:28 – Barry’s robo-text calendar system for senior reminders
25:13 – Don’t forget donation tracking: more than just bills
27:01 – Registering wandering-prone loved ones with local safety programs
30:15 – Prevention is power: act before the emergency

Highlighted Topics:

• BOCA vs. MOCA cognitive assessments

• Real ID documentation hurdles for seniors

• Text/email/phone scam spotting tips

• Encouraging elders to use services they’ve paid for

• Personalized reminder systems via iOS shortcuts

• Donation and gift tracking for aging parents

• Registering loved ones with dementia in local/national databases

Show notes and other resources at: ➡️ https://bit.ly/caretechandtips-resources