Photomyne Scanning App

iOs, Android

So many families have years of precious memories in photo albums. It can be quite a project to digitize them. There are tradeoffs between scanners, photo scanning apps and mail-in services. For many people, I think the Photomyne app is the best blend of price, quality and speed. I was planning to get a dedicated photo scanner until a client sold me on Photomyne through her rave reviews!

Free Scam Check Website | Scamwise

iOS, Android

Older adults are an appealing target because scammers assume they have savings. I've been using Scamwise for a couple of months and love it because it's so user friendly. Even without an account you can ask it to check out emails, images or websites to assess if they're scams. If you install the app, it can also help screen out spam and voice calls.

Aura Carver Digital Frame

Aura

Digital frames are a great way for older adults to stay connected to family. We've set up countless digital frames for clients, so I have strong opinions. They must be easy to add photos to, otherwise no one updates it and it stops being a tool for connection. The Aura frames are hands down my top pick. Three different households in our family have one, and we've been sharing photos back and forth for years. The app is a delight, and any family member can add photos to a loved one's frame.

$179.00

AirTags + FindMy

Apple

This rec is really "Make sure your parents/grandparents know about FindMy and AirTags." I've been surprised by how many of our clients had Apple devices but didn't know about FindMy/AirTags. They are universally delighted when we show them how it all works. AirTags are relatively inexpensive, easy to set up and easy to use. They're a game changer for people with memory issues. A client with Alzheimer's lost his Apple Watch last week, and they recovered it because we'd helped them set up FindMy.

Huntington Bank Caregiver Banking

For family members who need some help managing finances, I think this Caregiver Banking Account from Huntington is such a cool offering. It helps the account holder maintain independence and agency while giving a trusted person, like an adult child, the ability to keep an eye on accounts. This is especially helpful if your loved one could use help with budgeting or if you're worried about potential scams.

Gmail Delegate Access

iOs, Web, Android

This is a great tool if you're worried about a loved one being taken advantage of by scams or email marketing. We had a client whose email had become unusable because she was getting nearly 250 marketing/political emails a day. This was especially difficult because email was the primary way she stayed in contact with friends. It only took 1.5 hours and now she's down to less than 10 emails a day! Note this requires a high amount of trust, and the account owner must grant access.

When the Cranes Fly South

Lisa Ridzén

This book tells a beautiful story about how people might reflect on and wrestle with their decisions as they approach the end of their life. A client and I had an interesting conversation about how the book landed with our respective book clubs. Her group members are in their 70s and 80s, where mine are in their late 30s to early 50s. The book was unanimously enjoyed, but it was fascinating to hear the different themes that stood out to her group versus mine.

Storyworth - Everyone has a story worth sharing

Now that they have support in Spanish, I'm getting this for my in-laws for Christmas! My 9 year old niece is a budding journalist and helping write the questions. There's flexibility in how you structure the books, so we've also had clients use this as a downsizing tool. They can take photos of cherished items before parting with them, then write about them in the book. The book can be titled something like "My Grandmother's Kitchen" and include stories about how the items came to be meaningful.

Thelma

Movie · 2024

I love this movie about a woman who strikes out to get her money back from a scammer who stole it. It's warm and real and absolutely hilarious.

Bridge For Dummies, 4th Edition

Eddie Kantar

Bridge is complicated to learn, but so much fun to play. A client gently recommended this book the first time she saw me play, and it has really helped me stop embarrassing myself (or at least has reduced it greatly). If you live in Minneapolis and want to play Bridge, hit me up! :)

Assistive Access for iOS

iOS

If you have a loved one who is experiencing memory loss or is very uncomfortable with technology, iPhone's Assistive Access feature is awesome. It limits the apps shown on the home screen (all customizable) and also simplifies the features of certain apps like the camera. I've seen this make a real difference in clients' stress levels, as they aren't so overwhelmed by their devices. It also helps keep them safe from scammers, and can by a much nicer-to-use alternative to the Jitterbug phones.

Think Dementia Podcast

I first met Amy House when I saw her speak last year, and I was immediately struck by how well she understands and explains the perspectives of people with dementia. She's warm, engaging and understanding, both in person and on her podcast. I often recommend specific episodes to clients and family members when they're dealing with an issue. The episodes are generally short and tightly focused on one topic (like "Trouble with Stairs") and have practical suggestions for caregivers.