Longevity Explorers | SRC: Recent Episodes
Longevity Explorers
The Saratoga group is asked to tell of any cognition challenge solutions that they are aware of in their experience.
Topic: How to redesign buildings and services from the experience of living in congregate facilities during Covid.
Saratoga residents offer suggestions for needed changes in housing and services based on their experiences with congregate living during Covid.
Saratoga Explorers discuss their experiences with scams and how to spot them and avoid them.
The Saratoga Explorers are introduced to the Echo Show, an enhancement by Amazon to the Echo family of voice operated AI devices, which features a display screen.
Explorer Don describes an in home wearable call pendant that sounds remotely when activated, saving the user from having to shout loudly in an effort to alert a helper.
The Explorer group responds to a controversial question: When should I stop driving in later years, and how should that be decided?
Members focus on how the decision should be made, and who should be involved in the decision. Viewpoints vary:
Self
Friend or Family Member
Trusted Medical Practitioner
DMV
Combination of above
Maintaining independence and freedom of travel emerge as the principal reasons to continue driving. The group reaches the conclusion that the crucial dynamic is balancing freedom vs. safety of self and others.
The group is discussing use of the Uber app, which leads to a series of anecdotes and questions from members. Although there are no negative reports, there are suggestions to improve the function of the app and increase the types of platforms on which it operates.
Both Uber and Lyft enter into the conversation.
The Longevity Explorer group discusses the causes and the antidotes to loneliness and isolation in older adults, whether living at home or in a community care setting.
Causes discussed are poor health, hearing loss, lack of purpose, and depression.
Possible solutions include friendly visits, Internet access, senior clubs, and pets.