Boredom in dementia care isn't just uncomfortable — it shows up as agitation, withdrawal, and behaviors that too often lead to medication. Angela Fairhurst, founder of Geri-Gadgets, found a better way. After a winding caregiving journey with her own mother, she designed a line of sensory tools built specifically for aging hands, aging eyes, and aging dignity. In this episode, she and host Ishanya Anthapur explore how 15 minutes of meaningful engagement can change the entire c

Caregiving products are often built around what’s easy to sell, not what’s really needed. Absorbent products, safety products, monitoring tools, passive entertainment. All important. All necessary. But they assume something that often isn’t true: That the person can communicate their needs. When that breaks down, everything changes. Discomfort becomes agitation. Boredom becomes restlessness. An unmet need becomes a "behavior." And now the caregiver isn’t solving a problem. Th

Angela Fairhurst shares the inspiring story behind Geri-Gadgets, a company born from personal caregiving challenges. Discover how physical touch and sensory tools are transforming dementia care, the design principles behind these gadgets, and their future integration into healthcare systems.

It’s a bit of a strange feeling, and not the easiest thing to explain properly. You just feel restless. Like there’s energy in your body, but nothing to do with it. Sometimes it’s that urge to get up for no reason, or just not being able to fully settle. For many people, it shows up in small things. Mostly with their hands. Tapping on a desk, clicking a pen, messing with sleeves, or whatever’s nearby. It’s not even something you think about half the time; it just kind of happ