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.

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

• 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

• 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

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.

Caregiving doesn’t arrive as one big problem—it shows up as dozens of small, interrupting, emotionally loaded moments.

In this episode, Barry and Bobby catch up after a busy stretch and walk through real-world caregiving challenges: managing constant “I want” requests without burning out, navigating Medicare scams, handling technology changes during a parent’s move, and addressing sensitive caregiving situations with dignity and respect.

Along the way, they share practical systems, hard-earned lessons, and reminders caregivers don’t hear often enough: you’re doing something important, and it matters.

This episode is part therapy, part field manual, and very much grounded in lived experience.

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