Keeping Up with Technology as We Age
On this Living to 100 Club Podcast, we have a conversation about the latest technological advances that make our homes smarter. Our guest is Dr. Wade Yarbrough, who is deeply interested in helping older adults solve problems by learning about home automation systems. We discuss smart speakers like Alexa, “smart plugs,” and programming emergency alerts. Also discussed is adding one of the leading “eco systems” from Google, Apple, or Amazon to our homes. Learn about setting up a program like Alexa to shut down appliances, and lock doors. Can we turn out the desired lights on a single command? Can this technology help older adults to live more independently, and possibly remain in their own homes longer?
This is an educational conversation about being more receptive to technology that can help older adults live better. If you want to make the best use of products and programs to live smarter and safer, be sure to tune in.
Mini Bio
Dr. Yarbrough has a doctorate degree in psychology from West Virginia University. He also started working with computers in the 70s when you needed punched cards and the programming languages were FORTRAN and COBOL. For most of his career, he installed and supported health care information systems at facilities. These included the University of New Mexico Hospital, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and MD Anderson Cancer Center.
One of Wade’s passions was seeing the “lights come on” while training users on the software. He wanted to help them solve problems using the software. In 2014 he decided to shift his career, but not his passion. He found new ways to continue training people to be more productive and solve their problems. Now he teaches psychology at a local community college and trains seniors on technology for GetSetup. In his free time, Wade enjoys bicycle rides and walks in the park with his wife, Michelle, and their Bichon dog, Elsa Marie. One fun fact about Wade is that he plays the banjo.
Items for Our Listeners
Wade’s Classes at Get Set Up
Amazon Alexa – What It Is & Why You Might Want One