Thank you to Winston Hearing Care for being our newest sponsor as we take Tech Know for Seniors to more people across the Triad area of NC.
If you need help with hearing aids, contact Thomas Mills - (336) 774-1313. He is a great guy.
🤜 Good to see you today
Thank you to Winston Hearing Care for being our newest sponsor as we take Tech Know for Seniors to more people across the Triad area of NC.
If you need help with hearing aids, contact Thomas Mills - (336) 774-1313. He is a great guy.
This division of Burriss Consulting, Inc started in 2023, and we are growing the business to reach more seniors and caregivers who need the help we provide.
Mission Statement:
Helping older adults to feel a sense of belonging and to use technology with fewer risks and fears.
Why is this important?
In October 2023, the US Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, put out an 82-page report titled "Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation." I am also reading his book Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World
In May 2024, the FBI reported 880,000 Elder Fraud cases valued at >$12.5 Billion - FBI Elder Fraud Cases, and these are only the reported cases.
In Vivek Murthy's book "Together," I learned that when seniors share their stories, it benefits their physical and mental well-being while also strengthening communities and fostering a sense of belonging and purpose.
These reports resonated with me as I have recently visited friends and business associates who are now living in independent living and even assisted living facilities, who are struggling with loneliness and fraud. Even some of my older family and friends living in their homes face the same challenges.
Who will this program serve:
Older adults who live in their homes.
Older adults in independent living facilities and/or CCRCs
Some older adults living in assisted living facilities
Some older adults living in other environments could benefit from this program.
Other related groups of people could benefit from these programs.
Where are these programs being delivered?
Across the Triad of NC:
CCRCs (Continuous Care Retirement Centers)
Independent Living Centers
Assisted Living Centers
Local libraries, YMCAs, Community Centers, Churches, Rec Centers, and Senior Centers across the Triad
How often will these programs be held?
I want to grow the program to 4 sessions a week across multiple communities. Morning and afternoon sessions on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, &/or Thursdays. Possible weekend events, where appropriate.
We will prepare to scale if needed with additional presenters, locations, and sessions.
What will be the primary format for these programs?
1-hour group sessions focused on a different relevant topic each time.
Engaging conversations - no slide decks during these sessions.
We use our YouTube Channel, Website, social media, and other platforms to support the primary program format of in-person conversations.
How many people do you plan to have in the sessions?
Based on what we are seeing today (1 year in), each session could have 10-15 people in attendance.
What information do we collect from attendees?
For those willing to share, I plan to collect their names only. Primarily for tracking purposes. We will never share names or contact information of our attendees with our partners, except where an individual asks us to do so.
What messaging will go to these attendees?
Where possible, we send a single follow-up message, rich in resources and relevant content, to the community leaders to share with residents via the portal or other messaging channels.
Here is the current (03/04/26) list of topics we provide in these programs:
(We only add new topics as we discover the need and/or interest of seniors and their caregivers)
Programming topics:
Protecting myself when using my smartphone.
Using Zelle, PayPal, Venmo, and other Electronic Banking apps
10 ways to stay safe on Social Media.
10 Tips for Social Media Enjoyment.
Should I buy stuff off of Facebook or from other online sites (Craigslist, etc).
Should I play social media games?
Using Siri, Alexa, and Smart Speakers.
Using my Ring Doorbell.
Using Airtag devices
AI for Senior Citizens (I also created a 4-session program around this topic)
Is it a Scam? Romance Scams, Real Estate Scam
Do I have to answer the phone?
How do I turn off calls ringing my iPhone?
Managing my passwords
GPS on my smartphone - Waze, Google, or Apple Maps
Using Telehealth Services. - Related to the CMS Ruling- Resolving the Digital Readiness Gap. (?)
How to use myNovant, MyWake health apps, etc.
Do I need to reply to that text message?
Delete & Remove old Voice Mail Messages.
Where is all of my important contact information?
Why is it not my friend calling?
Protecting your identity online.
Blocking people who bother you online.
Doing a Google Search on a mobile phone or tablet.
What should I do with my online presence upon my death?
Sending a text message to a friend.
Using FaceTime to have conversations with loved ones.
Using Zoom on a mobile phone.
Who do I contact if I am a victim of Fraud?
Will the IRS or other government agencies call me out of the blue?
Sending an email message to a friend.
Emailing your doctor, insurance agent, or banker.
Watching a Netflix movie on a mobile phone.
Enjoying a YouTube Video.
Taking a video of your grandkids.
Sending a picture or video to your niece or nephew.
Listening to a podcast.
Setting up a new mobile phone.
Taking an online course from Ed2Go or Coursera.
Buying the right thing for me.
Listening to an audiobook.
Staying aware of your friends and family through Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or other social media platforms.
Use your cell phone as an alarm clock or timer.
Using your mobile phone's Calendar.
Checking your mobile phone security.
Unsubscribing from email lists.
Listening to a Voice Mail Message.
Emptying your old Text Messages.
Group messaging (email, Text, Facebook, etc.
Bitcoin, is it for me or not? (Plus Bitcoin Scams)
Don't ignore problems with ourselves and our technology. Get it checked out and fixed.
Keeping your network aware of your people, friends, family, etc.
Group Email Messaging.
Group Text Messaging.
Can I find a job at 65+ years old? (they can't see themselves doing)
Ideas for reorganizing the mental filing cabinet to remote important stuff. (teach stacking)
Is my home safe for me?
Understanding credit bureaus
Phishing scams. Email, phone, text, or even in person.
Should I use my Apple Wallet?
How to use Gmail efficiently.
Cell Phone Storage & Capacity Management
Add an emergency contact option to your Cell Phone
Should I use Find My on my phone?
What is Wire Fraud, and do I need to worry about it?
Health Apps on mobile
How to impress your family with your tech skills - keep learning