All posts by garrison

Geezers

Reclaiming the Word “Geezer”: Why Aging Isn’t About Fading Away

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At Geezers, Gadgets and Gizmos, we recently asked a simple question: “When you hear the word ‘geezer,’ what comes to mind?” The responses were immediate — and revealing:

  • “Old.”
  • “Grumpy old man.”
  • “Set in his ways.”
  • “Cranky.”
  • “Rough around the edges.”

Honestly? We weren’t surprised. For decades, the word “geezer” has been used as shorthand for decline — a stereotype that paints aging as something negative, outdated, or irrelevant. But we believe that definition misses the truth completely. Continue reading Reclaiming the Word “Geezer”: Why Aging Isn’t About Fading Away →

Motion Activated Bed Light

Vansky Motion Activated Bed Light: Your Simple 3AM Safety Upgrade

At some point, everybody experiences it. You wake up at 3AM. The room is dark. Your body is stiff. Your brain hasn’t fully checked in yet. And suddenly, your own bedroom feels like an obstacle course designed by a hostile furniture committee. That’s exactly why we decided to test the Vansky Motion Activated Bed Light on the latest episode of Geezers, Gadgets and Gizmos. And honestly? This simple little lighting strip turned out to be far more useful—and far more impressive—than we expected. Continue reading Vansky Motion Activated Bed Light: Your Simple 3AM Safety Upgrade →

Aging

Ageism and Aging: The Story We’ve Been Told and Why It’s Wrong

What if the biggest obstacle to aging well isn’t physical? What if it’s the story we’ve been told about what aging means? In this episode of Geezers, Gadgets and Gizmos – The Podcast, Garrison sits down with Ashton Applewhite—author of This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism and one of the most influential voices challenging how society thinks about aging. And what she reveals is both simple—and deeply unsettling: Much of what we believe about aging isn’t fact. It’s bias. Continue reading Ageism and Aging: The Story We’ve Been Told and Why It’s Wrong →

Online Scams and Protecting Yourself

Online Scams Targeting Older Adults: A System Problem, Not Just a Personal One

For years, the advice to older adults has been simple: Be careful. Don’t click. Stay alert. But what if that advice—while well-intentioned—is incomplete? In this episode of Geezers, Gadgets and Gizmos – The Podcast, Garrison sits down with Ebony White of the National Council on Aging to explore a deeper truth: Online scams targeting older adults aren’t just happening—they’re being enabled by systems many people trust every day. Continue reading Online Scams Targeting Older Adults: A System Problem, Not Just a Personal One →

Storyworth

Storyworth: Preserving Family Stories and Building a Lasting Legacy

Some stories are told. Others are lost. Not because they weren’t important—but because no one ever asked. That’s exactly where Storyworth comes in. In a world filled with devices designed to make life faster, louder, and more efficient, Storyworth does something quietly radical. Instead, it slows things down—just enough to remember what matters. Continue reading Storyworth: Preserving Family Stories and Building a Lasting Legacy →

Resilience and Aging

Falling Forward: The Real Science of Resilience and Aging Well

What if resilience isn’t about bouncing back — but about learning how to move forward? In this episode of Geezers, Gadgets and Gizmos – The Podcast Garrison sits down with Dr. Keith Bellizzi, Professor of Gerontology at the University of Connecticut and author of Falling Forward: The New Science of Resilience and Personal Transformation, to explore what resilience really means — especially as we age. Continue reading Falling Forward: The Real Science of Resilience and Aging Well →

Aging in Place

Aging in Place Is America’s Most Important Housing Trend

There was a time when “retirement living” meant leaving. Leaving the home. Leaving the neighborhood. Leaving, in subtle ways, a version of yourself behind. Today, that idea is being quietly—and firmly—rejected. Across the United States, a growing number of older adults are choosing something different: They are choosing to stay. This is what we now call aging in place—but the phrase doesn’t quite capture what’s really happening. This isn’t just a housing decision. It’s a redefinition of independence. Continue reading Aging in Place Is America’s Most Important Housing Trend →

Uncategorized

How Seniors Can Safely Use YouTube to Learn Almost Anything

There’s something quietly remarkable about YouTube. What once felt like a place for entertainment has become, in many ways, one of the most accessible learning platforms ever created. From repairing a leaky faucet to learning gentle stretching routines, from understanding Medicare basics to rediscovering a long-forgotten hobby—almost anything you might want to learn is there. For seniors, especially those focused on maintaining independence, that’s not just convenient. It’s empowering. But like any powerful tool, YouTube works best when you know how to use it wisely. Let’s walk through how to make it both useful—and safe. Continue reading How Seniors Can Safely Use YouTube to Learn Almost Anything →

Chair Lifts

SitnStand Lift Cushion: The Smarter Alternative to Buying a Lift Chair

There’s a moment most people don’t talk about. Not dramatic. Not sudden. You go to stand up… and hesitate. Not because you can’t—but because it’s no longer effortless. That’s where the SitnStand lift cushion quietly steps in. It changes the equation without changing your furniture, your space, or your dignity. Continue reading SitnStand Lift Cushion: The Smarter Alternative to Buying a Lift Chair →

3G Comic Strip

Friday Humor: The Only “Housebreaking” an Animatronic Dog Needs

We’ve spoken before about how animatronic companion pets for seniors can provide comfort, companionship, and a greater sense of independence. And they do. They can reduce feelings of loneliness, offer emotional support, and bring a reassuring presence into the home—without the responsibilities that come with a live animal. But like all technology…they occasionally come with a personality of their own. Continue reading Friday Humor: The Only “Housebreaking” an Animatronic Dog Needs →