Katy Thomas PhD

Caring.com contributing editor

About

Katy Thomas, PhD, is a gerontologist, engineer, and entrepreneur. She is a professor of gerontology at Georgia State University and the cofounder of NeoCORTA Proactive Brain Fitness. She is also the founder and editor of Tech Savvy Daughter, a blog dedicated to helping older adults "use technology like their children and grandchildren do."

Thomas earned her PhD in gerontology from the University of Southern California's Davis School of Gerontology. As a National Institute of Aging predoctoral fellow, her research covered assistive technology, community-based care models, and long-term care policy issues. Her research has been published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at several national conferences. Thomas earned her B.S. in systems engineering from the University of Virginia.

Why I care: "I was just seven years old when my 90-year-old grandmother moved in with my family after breaking her hip. At a young age, I witnessed firsthand many of the issues still faced by caregivers and elderly individuals across the country. Early on, I sensed that there had to be a better way to care for our elders and those who care for them. Today, as a gerontologist, I remain passionately committed to empowering older adults and caregivers."

Links

Recently Published on Caring.com

  1. Wednesday February 09, 2011

    1. No More Missed Pills

      Blog Post - Worried about your loved one missing medications? Here are 3 tools that can help you -- and your loved one -- remember pills on time. 8 Comments

  2. Thursday January 27, 2011

    1. Tech Tools for Long-Distance Caregiving - Part II

      Blog Post - A common concern of long-distance caregivers is that their loved one will forget something important, like a doctor’s appointment or an upcoming outing. 2 Comments

  3. Thursday January 13, 2011

    1. Tech Tools for Long-Distance Caregiving - Part I

      Blog Post - Technology is defined as the usage of tools, techniques, or methods of organization to solve a problem. Today there are many tools, techniques, and methods of organization that can help address the unique challenges facing long-distance caregivers -- and over the next few weeks, I'll be featuring some of my favorites... 3 Comments

  4. Thursday December 30, 2010

    1. An E-tool to Help You Keep Your New Year's Resolutions

      Blog Post - With the holidays behind us and January 1st right around the corner, it’s almost New Year’s Resolution time. After weeks of holiday parties and tempting sweets around every turn, many people are ready to get their diets back on track – me included.

  5. Thursday December 16, 2010

    1. Tech-Savvy Gift Ideas

      Blog Post - Are you looking for a tech-savvy gift for a loved one? Or maybe you’re looking for something to add to your own wish list. Here are six great technology products that are fun and easy to use at any age. 1 Comment

  6. Thursday December 02, 2010

    1. Tis the Season for Online Shopping

      Blog Post - When my grandparents were alive, I remember it being difficult to find gifts that they'd enjoy and use. Today, there are many great websites to help you find unique, meaningful, and/or practical gifts for the older adults in your life.

  7. Thursday November 18, 2010

    1. U can txt 2!

      Blog Post - In the past couple of weeks, I've had three different friends tell me how excited they were that their mom or dad had “finally” started texting. Text messages have become an extremely popular form of communication, particularly among young adults and tee... 1 Comment

  8. Thursday November 11, 2010

    1. Shopping for Household Essentials Made Easy

      Blog Post - My sister recently told me about a website that she really likes called Alice.com. Alice is an online store where you can purchase household essentials, like laundry detergent, toilet paper, trash bags, shampoo, and even non-perishable food. And that’s not... 6 Comments

  9. Thursday November 04, 2010

    1. An Easier Way to Eat Out

      Blog Post - I'd like to introduce you to one of my very favorite websites, OpenTable. OpenTable is like having your very own fast, free, digital concierge. It allows you to search for restaurants with available tables in your area and then reserve your table with just a few clicks.

  10. Thursday October 28, 2010

    1. How to Watch Your Favorite Shows and Movies Online

      Blog Post - The other day I was talking with my family about one of my favorite shows, Modern Family. My dad hadn’t seen many of the episodes but was intrigued and wanted to get caught up on back episodes. That's when I introduced him to Hulu. 3 Comments

  11. Tuesday October 19, 2010

    1. Free Exercise Programs on Your TV

      Blog Post - We all know that exercise is beneficial for our bodies and minds. But most of us also find it difficult in our busy lives to make time to exercise, especially those of us who can't leave the house due to caregiving responsibilities or physical limitations.

  12. Tuesday October 12, 2010

    1. Digital Photo Basics

      Blog Post - When I tell my friends about my blog, they often tell me about tech topics that they'd like me cover for their parents and other loved ones. One of their most common requests is a post about digital photos and digital cameras.

  13. Thursday October 07, 2010

    1. A Friendly Introduction to Facebook

      Blog Post - With the recent release of The Social Network movie, I thought this would be a good week to write about Facebook. 3 Comments

  14. Monday September 27, 2010

    1. Electronic User Manuals Save Time and Space

      Blog Post - Have you ever found yourself trying to repair or understand how to operate something unfamiliar in your own home or the home of a loved one? Many of us hold on to the user manuals for the various appliances and devices around our homes. Yet, ironically, often we can’t find the specific user manual t that we need, when we need it...

  15. Thursday September 23, 2010

    1. Old Time Radio - An Audible Walk Down Memory Lane

      Blog Post - During the Golden Age of Radio, sitting around the living room and listening to broadcasts of shows like Amos & Andy, Sherlock Holmes, and The Avenger was a family tradition. 1 Comment

  16. Thursday September 16, 2010

    1. The Wonderful World of Video Chatting

      Blog Post - I recently attended a friend’s wedding atop Aspen Mountain. Although the vows were heartfelt and the views were breathtaking, my favorite part of the ceremony was made possible by technology.

  17. Thursday September 09, 2010

    1. Are you LinkedIn?

      Blog Post - Have you ever wondered what happened to a colleague or classmate that you lost track of over the years? Online social networking tools are an excellent way to maintain and build your network, which can be incredibly valuable both professionally and personally. 1 Comment

  18. Thursday September 02, 2010

    1. Conference Calls – Not Just for Business (and Free!)

      Blog Post - Conference call services are often used in business, but did you know there are free conference call services available for personal use? 4 Comments

  19. Thursday August 26, 2010

    1. Crowdsourcing to Find Local Resources

      Blog Post - Have you heard of crowdsourcing? It’s the term for the web phenomenon of collecting and harnessing the wisdom of crowds for advice and decision making. Crowdsourcing is a particularly great way to find services and destinations in your local area. It’s also a savvy way for long-distance caregivers trs to find reputable resources from afar... 1 Comment

  20. Thursday August 19, 2010

    1. Closed Captions = Open Doors

      Blog Post - I recently got to spend a few days at my parents’ house, which is always great! It's also fruitful place for me to get ideas for my Tech-Savvy Daughter posts :) 1 Comment

  21. Thursday August 12, 2010

    1. Quick Tip: How to Increase Font Size on Web Pages

      Blog Post - Did you know that you can adjust the font size on any web page with the touch of just two keys? 2 Comments

  22. Thursday August 05, 2010

    1. Worried About Dangerous Drug Interactions? There’s an Online Tool for That

      Blog Post - I’ll admit it, I’m a worrier. I worry the most about the people I love most. Therefore, my incredible dad is on the receiving end of a lot of my worrying. But I don’t think he minds. In fact, I often hear him brag to his friends that he’s going to be well taken care of because his daughter has a r has a PhD in gerontology... 4 Comments

  23. Thursday July 29, 2010

    1. Shop for Wedding Gifts With Just a Few Clicks

      Blog Post - With summer comes longer days, warmer temps, and...wedding season!

  24. Thursday July 22, 2010

    1. Savvy Money-Saving Tip: Check for Online Coupon Codes

      Blog Post - Call me crazy, but my competitive and thrifty juices start flowing whenever I see a coupon code box on an online retailer's checkout page! Once I see the box, I feel like there must be a deal out there to be had.

  25. Thursday July 15, 2010

    1. A Phone Book?

      Blog Post - A phone book is one thing you'll never see your kids or grandkids use. So what are we using instead? The Internet and our cell phones, of course! 1 Comment