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

In this early summer episode of Care, Tech & Tips, Barry and Bobby unpack the challenges—and the laughs—that come with traveling during peak wedding season, especially when elderly loved ones are in tow. From construction-packed airports to overzealous Siri mishaps, this one’s full of practical advice and real-life anecdotes.

You’ll get five must-know airport travel tips for caregivers, a breakdown of TSA PreCheck vs. CLEAR vs. Global Entry, and a hilarious (and slightly alarming) story about how one aunt accidentally triggered iPhone call recording with her earlobe. Tech hiccups and thoughtful planning meet in this travel-savvy, care-conscious episode.

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

• 00:00 – 03:00 → Family reunions, weddings & Nashville’s new “state bird” (the construction crane)

• 03:01 – 07:00 → Top 5 travel tips for flying with aging loved ones

• 07:01 – 12:40 → TSA PreCheck vs. CLEAR vs. Global Entry: Which is worth it?

• 12:41 – 15:30 → Accidental iPhone call recording: What happened, why, and how to disable it

• 15:31 – 19:30 → TeamViewer’s big changes + Apple screen sharing insights

• 19:31 – 21:16 → Shout-out to new listeners in Serbia & community call-to-action

• Elderly travel considerations

• Airport and airline accessibility tips

• CLEAR vs. TSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry

• How to disable iOS call recording

• TeamViewer changes & alternatives

• Apple screen sharing, FaceTime support quirks

• Podcast listener community growth

In this packed episode, Barry and Bobby return after a short break to dive into the tangled world of caregiving, tech hacks, and emotional resilience. They cover everything from fighting spam FaceTime calls to getting an elderly parent started with grocery lists on Apple Reminders. They share hilarious, frustrating, and heartwarming stories about remote troubleshooting, smart TVs that are too smart, and the never-ending battle with streaming apps and internet issues. The second half shifts to real talk on emotional bandwidth, perfectionism, and the importance of picking your battles as a caregiver.

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

0:00 – Welcome back! Life happens.
0:30 – Bobby's spam call/FaceTime tip roundup
2:30 – Phishing texts and suspicious FaceTime spam
4:00 – Barry’s dad learning to avoid scams
5:00 – How to block spam FaceTime and texts
6:00 – Barry’s dad asks about grocery lists (!?)
6:45 – Using Apple Reminders for smart grocery lists
7:45 – Voice entry and Siri integration tips
8:30 – Sharing grocery lists with loved ones
9:30 – Faint clock display on iPhone lock screen fix
10:30 – iPad nightstand/clock setup hacks
12:00 – Battery-saving shortcut when iPad is idle
14:00 – Charging routines and iOS power management
15:30 – Barry’s ongoing battle with cell signal quality
16:45 – AT&T Air placement voodoo solved
17:30 – Entire cell tower outage (!), how Barry troubleshot it
18:45 – Bits vs Bytes: A speed and connectivity primer
20:30 – Cellular internet pros, cons, and fiber upgrades
22:00 – Why streaming holds up better than calls
23:30 – TCP/IP, latency, and interactive vs passive traffic
25:00 – Bobby’s saga with his mom’s Amazon Smart TV and Spectrum
26:00 – Barry’s thoughts on restricting purchases and remote control chaos
29:00 – Finite self-control and caregiver burnout
31:00 – Tips for stepping back when your emotional tank is empty
33:00 – "Do I have the stamina for this right now?" – a question worth asking
34:00 – Expectations vs reality and letting go of perfection
35:00 – Wrapping up: therapy for them and for us

• How to block spam FaceTime and unknown text messages

• Setting up Apple Reminders grocery lists for elders

• Custom iOS shortcuts for simplicity

• Solving faint clock bug on iPhone

• iPad battery-saving automation using Shortcuts

• AT&T Air interference and cell tower troubleshooting

• Streaming vs calling: why one often works while the other fails

• Caregiver burnout and setting emotional boundaries

• Smart TV challenges with legacy cable habits

• The curse of complex remotes and maintaining control

• When it's okay to punt the problem to tomorrow