Tech-Savvy and Secure: Mastering Your Devices in 2026
From printers and smart TVs to wifi and laptops, we can help you learn to make the most of your technology.
Whether it’s a new tablet gifted over the holidays or a smartphone that seems to have a mind of its own, technology is essential for staying connected to family. However, it can also be a source of frustration and security risks.
Rose Hill’s Tech Checklist for January:
Update Your Software: Those "remind me later" notifications are actually critical security patches.
Password Health: Are you still using "Password123"? We help seniors set up secure, manageable password systems.
Identifying "Phish": If an email looks slightly "off," don't click.
At Rose Hill, we don't just fix computers; we sit down with you and teach you how to use your devices with confidence. From setting up persnickety printers to managing online accounts, we’re your personal tech support team.
Beyond the Driver’s Seat: The Freedom of Professional Transportation
For many seniors, the thought of "not driving anymore" feels like a loss of independence. At Rose Hill, we see it differently. It’s a transition from being a "driver" to having a personal assistant.
Reliable transportation is about more than just getting to the doctor. It’s about:
Social Connection: Getting to that coffee date or book club.
Mental Health: Reducing the isolation that often hits during the dark January months.
Family Peace of Mind: Your adult children can focus on visiting with you rather than just chauffeuring you.
Having an Advocate: We can also go into the appointment with you to be a second set of eyes and ears to what the doctor says. We can report back to family and schedule follow-up appointments before we leave.
Personal Shopping Assistance: We can go in and help you shop, find items in the store, get them off high shelves, and help put everything away when you get home.
Our transportation services are door-to-door, meaning we don’t just drop you at the curb—we ensure you’re safe, comfortable, and on time. Let us handle the traffic and the parking while you enjoy the ride and accomplish more than you could on your own.
Outsmarting the Scammers: Safety Lessons from a Former Investigator
Few things are emergencies that need to be solved immediately. Slow down and call back on a number you look up yourself to confirm there is an emergency.
Rose Hill owner Matt Koncar spent years as a St. Paul Police Elder Abuse Investigator. If there’s one thing he knows, it’s that scammers are always "hiring" new technology.
In 2026, AI-voice cloning has become a primary tool for the "Grandparent Scam." You might receive a call that sounds exactly like a relative in distress.
How to Protect Yourself:
The "Safe Word": Establish a secret word or phrase with your family that only you know. If they "call" in an emergency, ask for the word.
Slow Down: Scammers rely on urgency. If someone demands money now, it’s a red flag.
Verify, Then Trust: Hang up and call your relative (or whatever business claims to be on the phone) back on their known number.
Matt provides free presentations on fraud prevention for local groups. Protecting our seniors isn't just a service we offer—it’s our mission.
Winter Mobility: Staying Steady on the Ice (and Indoors)
January in the Twin Cities means icy sidewalks and biting winds. For seniors, these aren't just inconveniences—they are significant safety risks.
2026 Mobility Trends: This year, we’re seeing incredible advancements in lightweight, tech-integrated mobility aids. From carbon-fiber rollators to "smart" canes that can detect uneven surfaces, the tools to keep you moving are better than ever.
Rose Hill’s Top Winter Tips:
The "Penguin Walk": Keep your center of gravity over your front leg and take small, shuffling steps on icy patches.
Indoor "Micro-Workouts": Can’t get to the gym? Simple chair stretches or hallway walks help maintain the leg strength needed to prevent falls.
Check Your Tips: Ensure the rubber tips on canes and walkers haven't worn smooth. Cold air makes rubber harder and less "grippy."
If the weather has you feeling stuck, remember that Rose Hill provides reliable transportation for shopping and medical visits. You don’t have to risk a slip to get your errands done.
Why a Crisis is the Worst Time to Make a Plan
Powers of Attorney and Health Care Directives are critical to have in place before you need them.
The start of a new year often brings a "clean slate" mentality. At Rose Hill, we believe the best gift you can give yourself (and your family) this January is a solid system for the future.
Too often, families call us after a fall or a sudden health change. At that point, decisions are rushed, and stress is high. Proactive planning—specifically establishing a Power of Attorney (POA) and a Health Care Directive (HCD)—is about maintaining control, not giving it up.
Why act now?
Choice over Chance: You decide who speaks for you if you can't speak for yourself.
Avoiding Court: Without a POA, your family may have to go through expensive guardianship proceedings.
Clarity for Loved Ones: It removes the guesswork for your children or spouse during an emotional time.
Personal Peace of Mind: If you don’t have or don’t trust family with your affairs, it allows you and your representative to get to know each other and understand your wishes.
At Rose Hill, we don’t just help with these documents; we can serve as your Attorney-in-Fact or Health Care Agent, providing a professional, neutral layer of support.
Ready to check this off your list? Contact us for a consultation.
These 4 Habits are Critical to Healthy Aging
This new series from Allison Aubrey at NPR decribes a "constellation of habits" essential to keeping healthy in mind and body as we age. They include healthy eating, keeping your body active, strong social connections, and maintaining a sense of purpose. These are things most of us already know, but if you're like me, you can definitely benefit from frequent reminders to build muscle and eat healthier!
If you or someone you know needs a boost - say a walking partner or someone to help you make a homecooked meal - Rose Hill Stay-at-Home Services is available to help you stay active and engaged.
Fitness is more than just exercise
Fitness as we age is not just about muscles - it’s about the mind and the spirit as well. Here are 4 things to focus on to live your best life at any age:
Keep your mind sharp through games, hobbies, reading and learning
Get enough physical exercise. Not only does it improve balance and strength , it also grows and strengthens brain areas that often shrink with age
Use good sleep hygiene to get enough sleep. It's a myth that you need less sleep as you age
Maintain social connections - these are critical for staying healthy in body and mind
Read the full article at Fortune Magazine.
If you need help staying fit and connected, click here to see how we can help.
From the New York Times: Who Will Care For ‘Kinless’ Seniors?
Eye-opening article from the New York Times on the one million seniors who have no close relatives to care for them. What struck me most was how, as a society, we have no strategy to help people in this situation. We still assume there is a family structure that will take up the slack, but this is increasingly not the case.
If you are kinless and need help, Rose Hill’s services may be just what you need. We can help you stay independent, in your home, and connected to people.
From the Wall Street Journal: How to Block Scam Calls, the Top Source of Fraud Against Older Adults
Great article from the Wall Street Journal on how to stay safe from scam phone calls. Key takeaways if the article is behind a paywall for you:
Don’t answer call from numbers you don’t recognize. They can leave a message and you can call them back if it’s legitimate.
This includes numbers that look like they are local. Scammers use technology to put fake local numbers in the caller ID.
Never give out passwords, credit cards, account numbers, or gift card numbers over the phone. For example, if they say they are from your bank, tell them you are busy and will call back. Then call your bank directly to verify that they contacted you. Legitimate businesses will never ask for sensitive information over the phone.
If you can’t get a hold of anyone else, call me at 651-764-8456 before acting. I’m always happy to help stop a scammer!