Chapter 1: The Struggles of Technological Adaptation

Navigating the world of technology can be an everyday battle for many, especially for seniors. Despite once being a computer teacher, I now find myself overwhelmed by the digital landscape. As Greta Garbo famously expressed, “I just want to be let alone.”

Photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash

The omnipresence of technology is undeniable. Recently, a new COVID testing site opened nearby, requiring an appointment confirmation via a QR code on our phones. Given that vaccination eligibility starts at age 65, I questioned how many elderly individuals were familiar with QR codes or how to access one. At that moment, I didn’t even have a QR code reader installed on my phone, as I had never felt the need for one until a tech-savvy student demonstrated its use to me.

As expected, the evening news reported that many waiting for their vaccinations were confused about QR codes and the necessity of having a reader. It seems the younger officials in Georgia's government overlooked this issue, likely failing to recognize that many older folks take longer to adapt to new systems.

Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash

Technology is unavoidable! When I made the decision to join WW to manage my weight, I entered their site and accepted an enticing offer, entering my payment information with ease. But to my dismay, I discovered that I needed a QR code to finalize my registration. With just 15 minutes on the clock before my offer expired, I was faced with a new challenge.

As I mentioned, I hadn’t installed a QR code reader on my phone, and my relationship with it is complicated. I’ve only been using a cell phone for a few years, and my ability to navigate it is limited. I had to rush to the app store to download the QR reader, but first, I needed to recall my Apple ID password. Who can keep track of all these passwords? I know password managers exist, but that would be another hurdle to overcome!

Ultimately, I succeeded in downloading the reader and completed my registration. However, I’m still struggling to log into my account. I can't believe that Oprah, who is older than I am, would allow her team to design such a complex system. If I fail to lose weight, I might just blame technology!

Now, let’s discuss car insurance. My 17-year-old son recently obtained his driver’s license, and the insurance rates for teenage males are staggering! In an attempt to save money, I learned about a drive-safe plan. They sent me a tracker that was supposed to connect to my phone's Bluetooth. What? I have Bluetooth? My previous car lacked this feature, so I had never used it. The tracker sat untouched on my counter as I ignored the activation emails.

Despite their detailed instructions, I struggled to follow along—reading those felt like deciphering a foreign language. Eventually, I mustered the courage to give it a try. Armed with my phone, I ventured to the car and tackled the prompts as they appeared. To my amazement, I succeeded! By the time my son arrived, I had completed the setup. I even emailed the insurance agent to emphasize that older adults often need more time to figure these things out. It seems they were aware of this, as they kept sending offers for assistance.

Yes, I still use email—considered "old school" these days. My computer skills are still intact; I write books and delve into family history on Ancestry. Shopping online has become second nature, with Amazon deliveries regularly arriving at my door. Yet, not everyone is comfortable with technology. My sister, for example, called me in distress when her credit card was rejected on a website. I patiently explained that she needed to provide the expiration date and CVV number.

My journey with computers began with the Apple IIC, which cost me $2,500 and took an entire summer to afford. It had no hard drive, and those floppy disks are probably now in a museum or gathering dust in my closet. Once upon a time, I was a computer teacher, but technology is more than just computer literacy; it encompasses various devices that challenge me.

Recently, I was invited to join a Zoom writing workshop. However, I don’t know how to use Zoom. My husband is familiar with it for work, and I could have asked for help, but I decided against it. My mind felt overloaded. In the last couple of months, I learned to publish an e-book on Amazon and navigated Medium to publish 32 articles across nine platforms. Learning new things can be exhausting, so I opted to skip the Zoom meeting.

As for my phone, I still struggle with setting up voicemail, but it has proven useful for snapping photos of car accidents.

Chapter 2: Learning New Technologies

Video Description:

In this video, we explore various technologies designed specifically for seniors, discussing their benefits and usability.

Video Description:

Watch as we guide older adults through the process of using technology, helping them overcome common obstacles and challenges.