Sentinel Silver's Story
"Honoring a Generation Who Sent Us to the Moon."
The Moon Landing & The Memory That Was Lost
July 20, 1969
My grandparents gathered in their living rooms across Western Maryland, along with 600 million people worldwide, to watch Commander Neil Armstrong take humanity's first steps on the Moon.
Neil Armstrong on the Moon, July 20, 1969.
My grandparents Dick and Maureen, with Maureen's parents — the generation who watched.
The smartphone in your pocket today has 100,000 times more computing power than the Apollo Guidance Computer.
Yet when older adults struggle with technology, there's no Mission Control to help them.
My grandfather Dick, with his iPad — more computing power than Apollo 11, but no Mission Control to call.
No patient voice guiding them through.
No one who treats their confusion as a design problem — not a personal failure.
Sentinel Silver is that Mission Control.
I bring the same standard of precision, patience, and care that my grandparents brought to their work — because your parents and grandparents deserve nothing less.
"Technology is the excuse. The relationship is the service."
The Sentinel Standard
What the Moon Landing Taught My Family
Throughout my childhood, my grandfather, Dick Hann, spoke most proudly about that warm July night in 1969. Not just the accomplishment itself, but the audacity of it. He fought a war, won, and then we sent a man to the moon. Can you imagine that moment for that generation? It was the best that America ever was.
Me with my Pap — where I first heard the stories.
Small-town Americans — humble men and women from places like Hagerstown, Maryland — had built technology sophisticated enough to send three astronauts 240,000 miles through space and bring them home safely.
My grandfathers understood that kind of precision.
Dick Hann, U.S. Army — World War II
Scotty Miner, Chief Master Sergeant, USAF
Dick spent World War II defusing land mines across Europe — work where one mistake meant death. Scotty spent his Air Force career ensuring every aircraft that took off would bring its crew home safely.
They understood what NASA understood:
When lives depend on your work, you don't cut corners.
You don't rush.
You get it right.
That standard became the foundation of Sentinel Silver.
For sixty years, that standard — patience, precision, getting it right — worked. Technology advanced, but the principle held.
If technology is so much more powerful today, why are older adults struggling more than ever?
Apollo Computer
1969
Your Smartphone
2025
The smartphone in your pocket has 100,000× more computing power than the technology that landed Neil Armstrong on the Moon.
NASA landed astronauts 240,000 miles away with a computer weaker than a modern calculator — yet today's older adults are left stranded with devices exponentially more powerful, because no one built the support system to match.
My grandparents would have built that support system.
And they would have benefited from it.
A Mission Control for older adults navigating technology — patient guides who never rush, never sigh, and never make anyone feel obsolete.
Protection from the scammers who prey on confusion.
A bridge that restores family calls from tech support sessions back to "I love you."
So I'm building it for them.
Who Sentinel Silver Serves
Older adults throughout Maryland — whether you live independently at home, in an independent living community, or in an assisted living or memory care community.
And the adult children who love them.
By phone. By video. In person. Wherever works best.
The Reason Sentinel Silver Exists
The Memory That Was Lost
In my grandmother Maureen's final months, I asked her a question.
"Do you remember watching the Moon Landing?"
She didn't.
A memory she had recalled with such joy throughout my life was gone. Alzheimer's had taken it from her before she passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on July 16, 2025, at 10:46 p.m. She was 92.
One grandmother gone.
Another fading.
My grandmother Joyce has resided in a Washington County memory care community since 2023. Her memories, too, are fading.
At the beginning of her dementia journey, my grandmother Joyce was scammed over the phone. We had to change her number after 40-some years.
That feeling, learning someone had exploited my grandmother, was one of the most intense angers I've ever known. Perhaps because I felt helpless. Perhaps because I was angry at myself for not protecting her before it happened.
I should have protected her.
The way my grandfather Scotty would have protected his beloved wife, Joyce.
What Technology Was Supposed to Do
Connection, Safety, Independence - Sentinel Silver is your Technology Partner
We remove the friction so technology delivers what it promised.
Technology was supposed to keep you close to the people who matter most.
Family Connection
+The Promise
Video call with grandchildren. Share photos of Sunday dinner. See the moments that matter, even from miles away.
The Friction
FaceTime vs Zoom vs Google Meet. The camera won't work. "You're on mute, Grandma." Links that expire before you click them.
How We Help
We set up video calling that works, teach you to share photos, and make sure you never miss a moment because of technology.
Social Connection
+The Promise
Stay in touch with friends. Join community groups. Never feel isolated.
The Friction
Facebook changed again. The church group moved to a new app. Group texts are confusing. Your posts disappear into algorithms.
How We Help
We help you stay connected to your community however they're communicating, whether that's Facebook, email, or the latest app everyone switched to.
Legacy & Family History
+The Promise
Preserve your stories. Organize decades of photos. Pass down family history to future generations.
The Friction
Photos scattered across devices, old computers, and the cloud. Stories unrecorded. No system to preserve what matters most.
How We Help
We help you organize photos, record stories, and create a digital legacy your family will treasure for generations.
Technology was supposed to protect your money and your peace of mind.
Financial Security
+The Promise
Pay bills online. Monitor accounts. Transfer money safely. Manage your finances from home.
The Friction
Bank apps redesign constantly. Two-factor authentication sends codes you can't find. One wrong click could cost thousands.
How We Help
We help you navigate online banking safely, set up alerts for suspicious activity, and ensure you stay in control of your money.
Scam Protection
+The Promise
Technology was supposed to be safe. Your devices were supposed to protect you.
The Friction
Scammers weaponize your trust. Fake emails from "Amazon." Fake calls from "Microsoft." Pop-ups that lock your screen. In 2023, Americans over 60 lost $3.4 billion to fraud.
How We Help
We teach you to recognize scams, set up your devices to block threats, and give you a verification line to call whenever something feels suspicious.
Legal & Document Planning
+The Promise
Digital documents organized. Healthcare directives accessible. Important files shareable with family.
The Friction
Where are the files? Which password? How do I share access with my children without giving them everything?
How We Help
We help you organize digital documents, set up secure sharing with family, and ensure critical information is accessible when it's needed most.
Technology was supposed to help you do more on your own terms.
Daily Independence
+The Promise
Order groceries. Schedule appointments. Manage your life from your own living room.
The Friction
Apps require accounts. Passwords multiply. Deliveries need tracking. Every convenience has a learning curve nobody taught you.
How We Help
We remove the friction so you can order what you need, schedule what you want, and stay independent in your own home.
Home Management
+The Promise
Control your thermostat from the couch. See who's at the door. Manage utilities without phone trees.
The Friction
Smart home devices need apps, accounts, and Wi-Fi configurations nobody explained. The doorbell camera goes offline. The thermostat shows an error code.
How We Help
We set up and simplify your smart home devices so they actually make life easier instead of more complicated.
Transportation
+The Promise
Schedule rides without owning a car. Get to doctor's appointments. Maintain your mobility and freedom.
The Friction
Uber vs Lyft. The app wants your credit card. Where is my driver? What do I do when they arrive? How do I rate them?
How We Help
We set up ride services, show you how to schedule rides in advance, and ensure you can get where you need to go.
Shopping & Delivery
+The Promise
Compare prices online. Order from home. Avoid crowded stores. Have everything delivered to your door.
The Friction
Which site is legitimate? How do I return something? Where did my order confirmation go? Is this price real or a scam?
How We Help
We help you shop safely online, track deliveries, and recognize scam sites pretending to be real stores.
Technology was supposed to help you manage your own health and wellness.
Health & Medical
+The Promise
Manage prescriptions. Access your health portal. Attend telehealth appointments. Track your vitals.
The Friction
Patient portals change layouts constantly. Medication apps require setup nobody explained. Telehealth links expire or don't work when you need them.
How We Help
We ensure you can refill prescriptions, message your doctor, and attend virtual appointments without asking for help.
Cognitive Health
+The Promise
Keep your mind sharp through learning, games, and mental engagement. Stay curious. Stay active.
The Friction
Brain training apps require subscriptions. Online courses assume you know how to navigate them. The technology itself becomes the barrier to mental stimulation.
How We Help
We help you find and use the tools that keep your mind active. Research shows technology engagement itself reduces cognitive decline risk by 58%.
Technology was supposed to help you care for loved ones and navigate difficult times.
Caregiving Coordination
+The Promise
Coordinate care for a loved one. Communicate with providers. Manage medications and appointments.
The Friction
Multiple portals for multiple providers. Medication reminders that don't sync. No central place to see the whole picture.
How We Help
We help you or your caregiver coordinate everything in one place and communicate with providers without the chaos.
Grief Support
+The Promise
Connect with support groups. Honor memories online. Find comfort in community during difficult times.
The Friction
Online grief support requires accounts. Memorial sites have confusing interfaces. Sharing memories shouldn't require technical skills during the hardest moments.
How We Help
We help you find support communities, create digital memorials, and ensure technology supports you through difficult times.
Technology was supposed to enrich your life with entertainment and purpose.
Entertainment & Media
+The Promise
Stream your favorite shows. Listen to audiobooks. Discover new content. Entertainment at your fingertips.
The Friction
Netflix vs Hulu vs Max vs Peacock. Different remotes for different devices. "Which input?" Passwords on every screen.
How We Help
We set up your streaming services, simplify your remotes, and ensure entertainment is one button away.
Purpose & Contribution
+The Promise
Contribute your knowledge. Stay relevant. Share what you've learned with the world.
The Friction
Blogging platforms are confusing. Social media algorithms bury your posts. Your voice gets lost in the noise.
How We Help
We help you share your expertise, contribute to communities, and ensure your voice is heard. Your experience matters.
Technology Should Serve You. Not Frustrate You.
Let's talk about which of these areas matters most to you right now.
Schedule Your Complimentary ConversationOur Approach
Your Story First
We learn about you before we touch any technology.
What Most Companies Do
Most technology support companies walk in, start clicking, and hope you keep up. They treat the device as the problem and speed as the solution.
Sentinel Silver takes the opposite approach.
We don't touch a device until we understand the person holding it. Because the problem was never the technology. The problem was that nobody took the time to learn how you learn.
Why We Do It This Way
This approach isn't just research. It's personal.
In 1991, I was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder. I was in first grade. Six years old.
I spent years being taught in ways that didn't work for me. Not because I couldn't learn. Because nobody took the time to discover how I learn best.
What if someone had figured that out first? What if my teachers had understood that I process information differently? My entire experience could have been different.
That insight became the foundation of Sentinel Silver.
The people we serve aren't struggling because they're incapable. They're struggling because nobody has ever taken the time to understand how THEY learn.
We refuse to make that same mistake.
— Ryan
The Getting Acquainted Call
30 to 45 Minutes. No Devices. Just Conversation.
When you first join the Sentinel Silver family, your Personal Technology Guide sits down with you for a genuine conversation about who you are and how you learn.
Because everyone has their own way of picking up new things. There's no right or wrong way. There's just YOUR way.
Ready to schedule yours?
(855) 301-4220What We Discover Together
Your Story
Your background, your family, the experiences that shaped you. Context matters.
Your Style
How have you learned new things? Watch first or jump in? Notes or step-by-step guidance?
Your History
Your relationship with technology. Past frustrations, successes, where you're coming from.
Your Purpose
What do you want from technology? We align with YOUR goals, wherever you are.
The Reciprocal Dignity Framework
"I teach technology. They teach lifetime wisdom."
Every interaction is an exchange. We don't just serve older adults. We learn from them. Their stories, their experiences, their perspective. That's the privilege of this work.
With your story, your style, your history, and your purpose as our guide, every session is built specifically around how YOU learn best.
This isn't an assessment. It's not a questionnaire.
It's a conversation.
Because you're not a ticket to close.
When you partner with Sentinel Silver, you're family.
Why Sentinel Silver Takes a Different Approach to Technology Support
Technology Support Backed by University Research
Sentinel Silver was built from day one to do two things:
Help older adults with technology.
And work with universities to study what actually works.
Why Combine Hands-On Support With Academic Research?
Researchers have identified promising practices for helping older adults with technology.
But long-term proof? It doesn't exist yet.
Most studies measure success in weeks or months — not years.
That's the knowledge gap Sentinel Silver is designed to fill.
Here's how we're doing it:
By combining hands-on support with academic research, we can measure what works, improve what doesn't, and share what we learn. Not just for Sentinel Silver clients — but for older adults everywhere.
That's the legacy worth building. Knowledge that lasts long after any single interaction.
What Better Research Means for You and Your Family
Most technology support companies are guessing.
They don't know if their methods actually work long-term.
They don't measure outcomes.
They don't publish their results for others to verify.
Sentinel Silver is different.
We're creating something universities can use: a real-world environment where researchers can study how older adults learn technology — not in a lab, but in living rooms, senior centers, and care communities.
Every interaction generates data.
That data gets analyzed.
The analysis validates what works — and improves what doesn't.
The result: Technology support that gets better over time, backed by evidence, not assumptions.
Sentinel Silver's Two-Track Model
How Hands-On, Dignity-Driven Technology Support and Academic Research Work Together to Build Knowledge That Helps Older Adults Everywhere
Track One
Hands-On Support
What Your Family Experiences
Track One is the work you see and feel: sitting beside your loved one, patiently teaching them to video call their grandchildren, protecting them from scams, helping them feel confident instead of confused.
- One-on-One Coaching: Patient, in-person technology help for older adults
- Community Partnerships: Ongoing support within senior living communities
- Emergency Response: Scam intervention, device recovery, crisis support
- Legacy Preservation: Photo digitization, story recording, digital estate planning
Track Two
Academic Research Vehicle
What We're Building to Validate Our Methods
Track Two is what we're building behind the service:
→ The infrastructure for academic partnerships.
→ The research methodology.
→ The evidence-based validation.
Our aim: transform "technology support" into something measurable and provable.
- Research Partnerships: We're pursuing formal relationships with universities, beginning in Maryland
- Data Collection: We're designing systems to measure outcomes across all Track One services
- Publication Pipeline: Our goal is peer-reviewed research that fills gaps in the field
- Think Tank Positioning: We aim to become Maryland's first Older Adult Technology Institute
What We Learn From Every Family — And How We Use It
Better Service Through Continuous Learning
This isn't two separate businesses. It's one integrated system where helping families teaches us how to help families better.
The result: Technology support that gets better over time — backed by evidence, not assumptions.
What Sentinel Silver Is Building
More Than a Business. A Foundation for the Future.
Why We're Building It This Way
Because "we think it works" isn't good enough for the people we love.
My grandparents deserved better than guesswork. So does yours.
The generation that sent us to the moon deserves proof — not promises.
Why Sentinel Silver Combines Service and Research
The Problem
Nobody has actually proven what works best for helping older adults with technology over the long term.
The Gap
Most technology support companies don't measure their outcomes.
They don't track whether their methods actually help people six months later, a year later, five years later.
They hope it works — but they don't know.
Our Approach
Sentinel Silver is built differently.
1. Claim
We say it works
2. Prove
We measure it
3. Share
Everyone benefits
That's why we're building both tracks — service AND research — from day one.
What We're Studying: How Older Adults Learn and Use Technology
How do older adults learn technology best?
What teaching methods actually stick over time?
Does patient, dignity-centered support improve quality of life?
Can we reduce scam vulnerability through education?
Does technology confidence help people stay independent longer?
Longitudinal Data — We're building systems to track outcomes across years, not just sessions. Did the person we helped six months ago retain what they learned? Are they more confident? More connected to family? This data doesn't exist yet in our field — and we're designing Sentinel Silver to create it.
Academic Partnerships — We're pursuing formal relationships with universities, beginning in Maryland. Our goal: partner with researchers who can help us design rigorous studies, validate our findings, and ensure our methods meet academic standards.
Published Research — Our aim is to publish what we learn in peer-reviewed journals. Studies on technology adoption, scam prevention, cognitive engagement, and aging-in-place outcomes. Knowledge that helps older adults everywhere — not just Sentinel Silver clients.
The Sacred Obligation — The foundation everything else is built on. A grandson's promise to honor his grandparents by treating every older adult like family. This one we already have — and it's not going anywhere.
The Legacy We're Building
Sentinel Silver isn't just a technology support company.
We test ideas about helping older adults.
We measure whether those ideas actually work.
We share what we learn — including what didn't work.
The goal isn't to keep secrets. The goal is to build knowledge that helps the entire field get better at serving older adults.
Something that matters long after any single interaction.
Something my grandparents would be proud of.
A Resource for the Entire Community
Sentinel Silver is being built to serve more than individual families.
We're building partnerships across Maryland — with organizations that share our commitment to protecting and supporting older adults.
Healthcare Organizations
Hospitals, home health agencies, home care providers, and care management organizations
Senior Living Communities
Independent living, assisted living, and memory care communities
Scam Prevention & Public Safety
Police departments, state's attorneys offices, and consumer protection agencies
Senior Services & Community Organizations
Area agencies on aging, senior centers, and nonprofit organizations serving older adults
Our aim: become a longstanding community resource that brings value to every organization working to help older adults thrive.
The Foundation of Sentinel Silver
The Hagerstown Seven
The Seven People Who Made Our Mission Possible
Sentinel Silver was not built because someone saw a market opportunity. It was not built because a consultant identified a gap in the aging services industry.
Sentinel Silver was built by a grandson who made a promise to honor his family.
Where It All Began
Hagerstown, Maryland
A small city in the hills of Western Maryland where generations put down roots and stayed.
This is where Dick and Maureen raised their family. Where Scotty and Joyce built their lives. Where I was born and raised.
Western Maryland doesn't teach you to chase trends or cut corners. It teaches you to show up. To keep your word. To take care of your neighbors.
My family gave me something money cannot buy: wisdom. Sentinel Silver exists to pass their wisdom forward. Every decision passes through one filter:
The Hagerstown Seven Standard
"Would my grandparents be honored? Would my parents approve? Would my children be proud to carry this forward?"
The Reason Sentinel Silver Exists
Dick, Maureen, Scotty & Joyce
These are my grandparents, whom I watched navigate a digital world that was rapidly leaving them behind. Their struggles and their dignity became my mission.
High school graduation — Williamsport High School, Class of 2003
Meet The Hagerstown Seven
Each Represents a Pillar of Sentinel Silver
Click any card to read their story.
Dick Hann
"Pap" — Grandfather
PatienceRead his story
Maureen Hann
"Memaw" — Grandmother
TransparencyRead her story
Scotty Miner
"Pappy" — Grandfather
PrecisionRead his story
Joyce Miner
"Memaw" — Grandmother
SimplicityRead her story
The Bridge & Foundation
Ryan's Mother & The Men Who Built the Base
Colleen Bowers
My Mother
AdvocacyRead her story
Bryan Miner
My Father
ReliabilityRead his story
Leon Bowers
My Stepfather
StrategyRead his story
The Legacy We Live Up To
Getting It Right — Without Needing Recognition
Dick defused mines so soldiers could walk safely.
Scotty maintained aircraft so crews could fly home.
Maureen faced Alzheimer's for fifteen years with grace.
Joyce served children for decades with warmth that filled every room.
Colleen fought systems for fifteen years so her parents could age with dignity.
Bryan showed up — every time, without fail.
Leon built systems designed to last.
None of them needed recognition.
They needed to get it right.
That's the foundation Sentinel Silver is built on.
"You're not a client; you're family — with a legacy we honor and cherish."
Ready to See If Sentinel Silver Is Right for Your Family?
Schedule a conversation with Ryan. No pressure. Just a chance to see if we're the right fit.
Schedule a Meet & GreetSentinel Silver's Commitment to You
Three Promises We Keep
Three principles govern every Sentinel Silver interaction.
They are non-negotiable.
They are not subject to efficiency considerations.
They are the minimum standard — not the aspirational goal.
Infinite Patience
We operate on your time.
We never rush.
We never sigh.
We never look at the clock.
• Three sessions to master sending a photo? We celebrate the mastery.
• Patience is a disposition, not a technique.
• If you can't embody it, you can't represent Sentinel Silver.
"Ask us anything. As many times as you need."
Absolute Simplicity
We reduce complexity.
We speak plain English.
If it isn't simple, it isn't done.
• We clarify — we don't "dumb down."
• Complexity is the enemy of confidence.
• Clear instructions build confidence.
"Clear enough for anyone. Because everyone deserves clarity."
Unwavering Transparency
We verify truth.
We show you the screen.
We explain the "why."
No secrets.
• No commission-driven recommendations.
• Nothing hidden — ever.
• The truth, even when it's uncomfortable.
"No mysteries. No fine print. Just the truth."
Where Sentinel Silver's Three Promises Come From
These aren't corporate values invented in a boardroom. They're the lessons I learned from watching my grandparents and parents live their lives.
Infinite Patience
— from my grandfather Dick
My grandfather Dick was a WWII veteran who defused land mines — and the gentlest, most patient man I've ever known.
Absolute Simplicity
— from my grandmother Joyce
My grandmother Joyce spent decades serving children in her school cafeteria with warmth and clarity, never overcomplicating anything.
Unwavering Transparency
— from my grandmother Maureen
Top of her class in 1950, she helped build one of Washington County's most successful businesses — and lived with Alzheimer's for fifteen years without ever losing her insistence on honesty.
Dick, Joyce, and Maureen left behind more than memories.
They left a blueprint — for the company Sentinel Silver is today, and the company it will still be fifty years from now.
Sentinel Silver's Purpose — And Why It Matters
Our Mission and Vision
Sentinel Silver's Mission
"To honor our grandparents' generation by treating every older adult as family — using technology as the bridge for relationships where safety comes first, wisdom flows both ways, and dignity is never compromised. Through direct service and peer-reviewed research, we prove that sacred obligation is a business model."
Sentinel Silver's Vision
"To change how the world thinks about serving older adults — proving that relationships built on safety and sacred obligation outperform transactions, and ensuring that every technology company that comes after us feels the pressure of our example."
These are the promises Sentinel Silver makes — and keeps.
Not because it's good for business.
But because it's what Dick, Maureen, Scotty, and Joyce deserve.
And it's what every older adult — and their family — deserves.
Maryland Service Area
Where Sentinel Silver Serves
Sentinel Silver provides technology support for older adults and their families — in-home visits, remote assistance by phone or video, and partnerships with senior living communities, assisted living communities, memory care communities, and CCRCs throughout Maryland.
Headquarters: Montgomery County, Maryland
Frederick County
Maryland
Learn more →Washington County
Maryland
Learn more →Carroll County
Maryland
Learn more →Howard County
Maryland
Learn more →Baltimore County
Maryland
Learn more →Baltimore City
Maryland
Learn more →Anne Arundel County
Maryland
Learn more →Prince George's County
Maryland
Learn more →All of Maryland
Remote Support Available
Learn more →Coming Soon
Sentinel Silver is expanding. In-home service will soon be available in these regions:
Not sure if Sentinel Silver serves your area?
Give us a call or send us an email. If Sentinel Silver can help, we will. If we can't, we'll help you find someone who can.
No pressure. No sales pitch. Just a conversation.