In this February episode, Sherri Snelling, gerontologist, author and host of the “Caregiving Club On Air” is discussing the mysterious case of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year old mother of TV host, Savannah Guthrie, who was apparently abducted from her home. Because this case highlights safety for older adults living alone, the health implications of older adults under stress and the role of AgeTech in home safety, Sherri interviews two experts to help us understand and unravel this mystery and use it as an opener to have conversations with older parents and grandparents about their own health and home safety.

(10:18) Dr. Tina Sadarangani – Asst. Professor NYU, geriatric nurse and creator of Englightened Caregiver and CareMobi app – Dr. Tina enlightens us about the health issue for older adults in stressful situations – increased heart rate, anxiety, dehydration, mobility challenges and more that we do not always think about. We also talk about the use of technology as both a health aide and a home safety tool. We explore the tech tools that the medical community feels are helpful including Dr. Tina’s CareMobi app. And, finally how do we have the talk with older loved ones about their safety at home? Is this case a kickstarter to those family conversations – Sherri and Dr. Tina discuss how to use frightening news headlines as lessons learned without increasing anxiety of those living alone.

(34:38) Abbie Richie – Tech Guru at The Smarter Service – Abbie has been an expert in the world of AgeTech for many years as a TV host, radio host, podcast host and serving as the Tech Guru for The Smarter Service. This tech concierge service helps older adults living in senior living communities as well as those living at home – especially the solo agers. Abbie provides insights into the tech that Nancy Guthrie was using – Apple Watch to synch with her pacemaker, Google Nest home surveillance cameras, smartphone – what do we need to know and what other tech tools or alternative gadgets may also help us keep older loved ones safe at home – Abbie shares her top list. And we end with a discussion around tech and privacy – what we should know to provide trust and confidence for our older loved ones in their tech tools.

For our podcast listeners who are familiar with our Caregiver Wellness News and Well Home Design News as well as what is happening in the workplace for employees who are also caregiving as part of the Sandwich Generation – we are moving those news segments to our new “Caregiving Club News” program on YouTube. You can catch all the same news, including the latest research news, resources and pop culture we have previously done on our podcast now on our news channel – and it’s all free! All we ask is that you subscribe to us on YouTube as well so you get the bi-weekly news updates and all of our other education caregiving content.
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