Content developed in various citizen research projects, usually related to technology and aging..
Amazon has a new “feature” in its Alexa artificial intelligence (AI) — called the Alexa Care Hub. It has the potential to help quite a lot in a situation where you are worried about, or caring for, someone who lives at a distance, and on whom you can not just “pop in” yourself — like your … Read more
Caption: The senior-friendly tablets we evaluated. L-R: GrandPad; Claris Companion; Oscar Family. This article is about a category of product marketed as “senior tablets“, or “tablets for seniors“. We think this type of product is very appropriate for a specific demographic. However there are many individuals who think of themselves as older adults, or “seniors”, who might … Read more
Location Devices and Trackers can play an important role in dementia care and management. They can also be useful for people with mild cognitive impairment, who can become confused or disoriented. This article is for people thinking about how to help a parent, spouse, or friend with mild cognitive impairment or early or mid-stage … Read more
Below is a live recording and slides of a talk on Medical Alerts. The talk was given by Dr. Richard Caro to the Foggy Bottom West End Village, and members of other Villages in Washington, DC. in September 2021. Listen to the Talk More About Medical Alerts Tech-enhanced Life … Read more
In my retirement I spend a great deal of time on an unusual “hobby” — coming up with useful technology-based solutions to problems and annoyances that beset my elderly friends and relations. I have found that many of these older adults spend quite a lot of their time within earshot of a TV — which is … Read more
Photo credit: Pavan Trikutam How do you have rich and engaging interactions with your parent who you can’t visit in person? Especially if they cannot, or will not, adopt mainstream consumer technologies. That’s the challenge we are exploring in this article. After months of enforced isolation during COVID, video calling as a solution … Read more
Are you looking for a way to setup video chats with your loved one who lives independently or in a facility? This article tells you how to do that, using the Echo Show, without requiring your loved one to do any of the “setting up”. New to This Topic? This is a Deep-dive … Read more
Caption: Left: MedaCube; Right: Hero; Top middle: MedMinder; Bottom middle: GMS. It is too simplistic to talk of the “best automatic pill dispenser“. But it is definitely appropriate to talk about the “best medication dispenser for a specific individual or life situation“. Different Life Situations Need Different Pill Dispensers This is Part 2 of … Read more
Caption: Variety of pill dispensers and smart pill boxes under evaluation. | Back row L-R: Pria, Hero, MedaCube, Philips, Tabsafe, Livi. Front row L-R: GMS, MedMinder, MedReady, CompuMed. When a person starts having trouble adhering to the medication routine prescribed by their doctor — or when they or their caregiver or spouse start finding … Read more
There are many, many pill boxes and pill organizer solutions to choose from in your local drugstore or on Amazon. Unsurprisingly, not all of them are equally good. The Longevity Explorers have strong views about what to look for in a pill box. Here are their recommendations, and a list of the “things to watch for”. … Read more