Blog - teleCalm
Blog
Scam Calls Targeting Seniors: Why It Feels Like Whac‑A‑Mole
Scam calls targeting seniors are relentless—like Whac‑A‑Mole. Learn why they’re so harmful, how they drain families’ peace of mind, and how families can finally outsmart scammers and protect loved ones.
teleCalm Phone Service Helps Caregivers Manage Phone Problems From Dementia
Telephones help older adults maintain healthy social connections. But seniors often need help to avoid exploitation and other stressful situations. teleCalm’s unique phone service helps caregivers manage phone problems from dementia…
Top Tips for Reducing Elderly Anxiety at Night
Do you have an elderly loved one who experiences anxiety at night? Unfortunately, anxiety can become more common and impactful as we age, causing sleep disturbances and other issues. However, there are strategies that caregivers can use to help reduce...
5 Ways Seniors Can Avoid Fraud
- Don't take company info at face value. Take down notes and let the caller know you'll have to call back. Companies like Microsoft will never call you to tell your computer is infected with a virus. The IRS will not call you to tell you that you owe money....
Encouraging Older Adults to Be More Independent
As we continue to live longer lives than the generations before us, quality of life issues for an aging population become more pressing than ever.
Three Things to Consider When Taking Care of Your Parents
When it comes time to discuss your parents’ wellbeing and safety at home, there are a few key factors to make sure they have access to what they need.
teleCalm Bridges Isolation for Seniors with Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Specialty phone service teleCalm protects seniors with Alzheimer’s and dementia, empowers caregivers, and brings peace of mind to family members.
teleCalm Named Top Finalist for MassChallenge Texas in Austin 2019 Accelerator
teleCalm will advance to the final round of judging for this year’s program where they will compete for a portion of up to $500k in equity-free cash prizes.
teleCalm and Guide Change Collaboration Reduces Senior Financial Risk
teleCalm’s Safe Phone Service and Guide Change’s Account Monitoring Together Make a Powerful Ally Against Senior Fraud.
Long-Distance Caregiving
Long-distance caregiving is a growing and challenging trend for adult children. Learn how to generate a solid care plan for the senior.
My Mom Keeps Calling Me and Doesn’t Remember
Repeat dialing can be very disruptive. teleCalm handles without removing the phone, avoiding isolation.
teleCalm Helps Stop Problem Calls
teleCalm helps me out nightly. No more repeated calls at 3am! -Julie, family caregiver.
New Medicare ID Cards & How Not to Get Scammed
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) are replacing all Medicare identification cards. The new cards remove your Social Security Number and replace it with a...
How Alzheimer’s Affects Safety
People diagnosed with memory diseases can live in their home as long as they are within a safe environment. Due to the progression of Alzheimer’s, a person’s judgement, behavior, sense of time and place, and physical ability are hindered. Here are some tips…
Seniors Financial Fraud 101
If you are a senior, you are a target. Scammers and telemarketers want your money. And sometimes family members and caregivers want more than their fair share as well. The average financial cost for a victim of an elder abuse scam was $28,800…
Poor sleep raises Alzheimer’s risk. Tips to get better sleep.
According to the journal Neurology, losing sleep can raise the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Losing even a little sleep can lead to a greater risk of Alzheimer’s, the leading cause of dementia. Another study found that sleep disruption raised the level of brain proteins believed to cause Alzheimer’s. Sleep helps the body clear away the compounds amyloid and tau, and interrupted sleep may…
teleCalm Helps Ease Caregiver Stress – Vee @ Vee, Myself and I
As you may or may not know, scammers have wreaked havoc in our home over the last few years. Their fierce persistence and back to back calling blow my mind. I’m talking almost 100 calls in one day. They have managed to swindle my mom a couple of times. Most...
Best of the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Blogs
The journey with Alzheimer’s and dementia is different for every person, but fortunately there are many resources online to support and offer guidance. The blogs listed below have been designated as the best because they consistently educate, inspire, and empower their readers.
IRS Scams On The Rise
Elderly loved ones are at high risk of being scammed for a variety of reasons, as aging brings about physical, mental, and emotional vulnerability. These vulnerabilities are preyed upon by those greedy enough to pry and manipulate. It’s important that...
Three Common Scams To Be Aware Of
The Grandparents Scam
It is unfortunately common for people to get scammed nowadays. Everyone is susceptible to it, but who is targeted most easily? The elderly. With age comes memory problems and disorientation, which heightens vulnerability to manipulation. The Scam The...
Cutting Out Scams with teleCalm – CBS KTVT-11 Dallas
Northwest Texas families have lost thousands of dollars because of a scams targeting the elderly. there’s a new idea. Dallas’s CBS-11 reporter, J.D. Miles interviews one of teleCalm’s customers to learn how the teleCalm service has changed the way her mom uses the phone.
teleCalm pitches at House of Blues for Tech Wildcatters Pitch Day
teleCalm was selected to the May 2016 Gauntlett Class at Tech Wildcatters, Dallas’s largest startup accelerator. The rapid progress and success secured teleCalm a spot on stage at Tech Wildcatters’ fall pitch event at House of Blues in Dallas, TX, on...
teleCalm chosen as AARP Health Innovation@50+ alternate finalist
teleCalm, developers of the first home phone service for the 5.3 million families living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias (AD/D), is pleased to announce it has been selected as one of fourteen companies selected to present at the AARP Health...
Identify And Prevent One-Ring Call Scams
Missed calls seem innocent, but they can lead to devastating one-ring call scams. Fortunately, you can protect yourself and your loved ones and prevent financial loss due to one-ring phone call scams.
Voices of Comfort: Effective Telephone Strategies for Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregivers
June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, a time to shine a light on practical conversation starters and communication tips that are especially beneficial for phone conversations with loved ones affected by Alzheimer’s or dementia…
Changing Text Size on Caregiver App
Is your text too large in the Caregiver app? Here’s a fix for that!
4 Ways to Help Seniors Downsize and Declutter
Downsizing and decluttering can take a lot of work, but it doesn’t need to be stressful. Check out these tips to help make the process easier.
The 8 Benefits of Home Care Services for Seniors
For many people, there is no place like home. This is especially true among seniors.
Home Improvements and Modifications for Aging in Place
Redfin agent Julie Weaver highlights how senior care and home modifications can help adults age in place comfortably and safely.
How teleCalm Reduces Senior Isolation during COVID-19
Social distancing for COVID-19 significantly increases problems for seniors from isolation and loneliness. teleCalm’s unique phone service for families living with Alzheimer’s and dementia helps caregivers keep loved-ones safely connected with family and friends.
Unfortunately, You are Never Too Old for Identity Theft
Identity theft against older adults is growing and becoming more of a threat. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reported that adults between age 70-79 lost …
(contributed by Leah Cohen, co-founder of Guide Change)
teleCalm Review – The Memories Project
Joy Johnston of The Memories Project reviews teleCalm: Protect elder loved ones from becoming phone scam victims.
My Mom is Calling at 3AM
teleCalm helps manage disruptive calls without removing the phone or upsetting your loved one.
Repeat Dialing Feature Reduces Stress and Promotes Peace of Mind
Repeat Dialing feature in the teleCalm Caregiver service helps curb disruptive, exhausting repetitive calls.
“Putting the Tech in Texas” – The North Texan
For five years, Jill Schriefer (’91, ’93 M.B.A.) and her husband, Tavis, took care of Tavis’ mother, who suffered from the early stages of dementia.
Plano Phone Service Provider for Seniors With Cognitive Issues on a Growth Spurt
Tavis Schriefer knows firsthand the everyday challenges that come with caring for a loved one with dementia. Schriefer’s Plano-based company offers a managed phone service for seniors with cognitive issues allowing them to stay connected and giving caregivers peace of mind.
How to Identify Medicare Enrollment Scams
Identifying Medicare card scams can be difficult. These tips and suggestions will help you be able to learn how to spot Medicare card fraud before your senior becomes a victim.
teleCalm featured in “Boomers Eye Work in Aging Market” in Kiplinger’s
With teleCalm, a family caregiver will attach a regular phone to a special adapter, which is then connected to a high-speed Internet connection. Only calls from approved telephone numbers—say, those of a parent’s friends and relatives—will ring. Other calls...
Ringless Voicemail and How to Stop It!
Have you started getting random messages in your voicemail, but didn’t remember your phone ringing? Learn how teleCalm prevents ringless voicemail scams and annoying ringless voicemail telemarketers.
teleCalm Presents Its Innovative Service to Aging 2.0 in Chicago
Less than a decade ago, the field of aging was a sleepy sector of innovation. Now, with the recent rise of advances in medical technology, coupled with the surge of baby boomers, aging is ripe for innovation. An estimated 3.6 million Americans will turn 65...
From Refusal to Acceptance
Partner Post You worry that Mom’s not eating. The house is cluttered more than ever. Dad is wearing the same clothes day after day and in desperate need of a shower. Did Grandma make it through the day without falling again? You’re doing what you can to help,...
What We Learned in Chicago
Recently, teleCalm traveled to Chicago to take part in several different activities focused on aging in America. We participated in the American Society on Aging (ASA) Aging in America Conference, the Boomer Business Summit, and Aging 2.0 Chicago…
Signs Your Aging Parents Need Help With Their Finances
How to Know When it’s Time to Step Up We can all remember the time where our parents taught us how to write checks, file our taxes, and figure out how to pay our bills. But what happens when they slowly start forgetting how to do it themselves? There are...
Top 10 Scams of 2016
Here is the top 10 list based on more than 30,000 reports to the BBB as filed by consumers. Tax Scams (IRS and CRA) Debt Collections Sweepstakes/Prizes/Gifts Online Purchase Employment Government Grants Tech Support Advance Fee Loan Fake Check/Money Order...
teleCalm Helps Put Alzheimer’s Caregivers in Control – Ann Napoletan @ Alzjourney.com
If you’re caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, you know the phone can be a real source of consternation. Something as benign as a telephone can not only cause frustration, but also some rather challenging – and expensive –...
teleCalm joins Financial Fraud roundtable at Sandwich Generation conference
Our CEO Tavis Schriefer discusses senior fraud on the panel hosted by CBS MoneyWatch editor Jill Schlesinger covering "Financial Fraud, Scams and Abuse". Using latest technology to prevent fraudsters from getting to your loved ones....
Benefits of Using True Link Visa® Prepaid Cards for Older Adults
We like to introduce services that can complement teleCalm’s phone service. True Link Financial provides financial services like the True Link Visa® Prepaid Card to help families safeguard the finances and independence of loved ones.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Dementia Leads to Compulsive Shopping
Anyone who has obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or knows someone who has, will be aware of the difficulty in dealing with controlling and addictive rituals. Maybe your father is obsessed with washing his hands? Or your mother…
How to Stop Problem Phone Calls – Phone Service For Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Manage dementia confusion problems like repeat dialing, late night calls and inappropriate 911 habits. Block robocalls and telemarketers on your loved one’s landline style phone. Use teleCalm phone service for Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Preparing Your Home for a Loved One with Alzheimer’s: A Caregiver’s Guide
Redfin agent Julie Weaver highlights how senior care and home modifications can help adults age in place comfortably and safely.
The Importance of Senior Social Wellness
Social wellness is the practice of actively nurturing and maintaining your relationships with the people closest to you.
Video: Senior Care Spotlight
Learn how teleCalm works, and helps seniors, their families, and senior living staff.
teleCalm Wins MassChallenge Award for Dementia-Focused Phone Service
teleCalm won a $100,000 Diamond Award from MassChallenge Texas in Austin’s 2019 accelerator program. MassChallenge awards highlight top startups that are best positioned to grow and provide a positive social impact.
teleCalm Reviews – Testimonials – Customer Feedback
Customers say that teleCalm is the best phone service for families living with dementia. Check out our favorite teleCalm reviews, testimonials, and feedback from customers. Learn how teleCalm helps caregivers solve common phone problems from dementia.
teleCalm selected by MassChallenge Texas 2019
teleCalm® has been selected from a pool of 700+ applicants, and joins 73 other finalists in the MassChallenge Texas in Austin 2019.
Quiet Hours Creates Peaceful Time for You and Your Loved One
The Quiet Hours feature blocks both in & out calls during specific times, so you can focus & your loved one can sleep.
Lifeline Discount Going Away for AT&T Home Phone Customers
Seniors scramble to replace home phone service. Learn about a new home phone service that also blocks robocalls and scammers.
teleCalm Caregiver App Updated!
The teleCalm Caregiver App has a new release, and it’s available now on the App Store and Google Play Store! Many requested features are now available in this release!
Why Seniors Love Landlines
Smartphones impact us all in today’s society. However, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services, 77% of seniors over 65 continue to use landline phones. Why do they hold on to this seemingly outdated technology?
Take charge to reduce the risk of dementia
There are a variety of activities you can do to take control and by making some simple yet effective changes to your lifestyle, you can help prevent the onset of dementia.
Finding the right assisted living
With the explosion of assisted living facilities, finding the right one for a loved one can be difficult. There are many types of facilities that offer differing levels of care for your loved one, with uneven federal oversight. An October 2017 article by Consumer Reports reveals increased consumer complaints and shortages in staffing. Despite all these challenges…
The Hidden Male Caregiver
While women are viewed as the typical family caregiver, increasingly men are stepping up, either by choice or necessity. According to a recent AARP report, Breaking Stereotypes: Spotlight on Male Family Caregivers, 40% of the family caregivers of adults are male, up from 19% just 15 years ago. That equals…
Caregiving with a Technology Assist
It comes as no surprise that the ‘sandwich generation’ is growing. More people every day are caring for both their children and their parents. These caregivers are increasing ‘digital natives’ – they have always had technology in their lives. And they are looking for the convenience and help…
Caregivers Financially Affected by Elder Fraud
If you are a caregiver of a family member, you know how it can eat up so much of your resources – time, money, and patience. A study by Allianz Life Insurance Co. of North America found the impact to you is increased by more than half. The 2016 Safeguarding Our Seniors…
Seniors and Isolation
When asked which they would rather give up for a week, 79% of seniors said they would rather give up watching TV than talking with their friends and family.
Social interaction and connections are necessary to lead a happy, healthy life. More than 8 million…
Social Media: Privacy is Possible
Social Media and Privacy Social media is a great way for families to keep in touch. Though many think it’s a “young person’s” media, experienced adults are actually getting more involved, creating profiles and accounts. Grandparents are using social media as...
teleCalm featured on CBS KBTX
As you or your parents age, experts are offering advice for keeping an eye on their finances. The bottom line: you must stand firm when it comes to protecting their money, even if they protest. Tavis Schriefer, the CEO of teleCalm, joined KBTX's First News...
CEO Interview – Podcast with AgeInPlace.com
Podcast with Ageinplace.com founder Mark Hager. Mark interviews our CEO Tavis Schriefer about how his own caregiving experience helped spark the idea for teleCalm. Today, I’m joined by Tavis Schriefer, the co-founder of tech startup teleCalm. Tavis...
teleCalm selected for Tech Wildcatters accelerator program
teleCalm accepted to the Spring 2016 Tech Wildcatters accelerator program in Dallas. Following the guidelines of their program, teleCalm conducted market validation with over 50 family caregivers and over another 50 senior-related businesses and groups;...