How Technology Creates Difficulties for Senior Citizens?
Technology and the Difficulties it Creates for Senior Citizens
They are from an era when
there was no television, the water was consumed from a hand pump and the best
way to spend free time was by reading books (made out of paper!). How can all
of us, the so called - ‘millenials’ expect them to do net banking, mobile
banking and use apps on smartphones? By ‘them’ I refer to senior citizens, the
60+ parents and grandparents!
Some of them are actually
catching up with the changing times but what about those who have been left behind?
There are instances when there is nobody else in the house to coach the elderly
and guide them about using smartphones. Yes, many elders live alone which is a
sad truth but I am not getting into that. Now, do you think it is right to
bombard them with terms like OTP, cashback code, PIN, Digital wallets,
Re-CAPTCHA and the like? It only brings down their level of confidence and
makes them feel dependent on others. As children it is our primary duty to
assist them at every step but it is also true that most of us are way too busy
in our own lives that we don’t realize that our parents are getting old and are
finding it difficult to cope up with the rapidly changing times!
These days everything is
done via Paytm, which is extremely convenient, no doubt. However, it is a
daunting task for the seniors. Are we moving towards helping them become a part
of this world of advanced technology? Or are we just trying to put them down by
showing our excellence at using gadgets. Mind you, they have educated
themselves in a time when there was no Google, they obviously need to be
respected for that. They didn’t have this concept of e-learning when they were
studying, it has all been done the hard way without any shortcuts.
The difficulties they face
are right from doing an online bank transaction to using their Metro card at
the Metro station. It extends to not being able to commute on their own because
of the hardships they come across while booking a cab on their app. There are a
plenty of other things. I am just pin-pointing at those that I have seen my
parents struggle with. If I have missed something you can always mention that
in the comment section below! I would love to hear from you!
Now, the ‘Million
Dollar Question’ - Can we make things a little easier for them instead of
asking them to do what they are not comfortable doing? Well, at least store
keepers and fast food joints need to accept cash payments without making a face
and complaining that there is no change. By moving ahead in the world of
technology, we don’t have even the slightest right to make the world difficult
for the senior citizens. It is okay to accept cheques from them, it is okay
when they can’t use their smartphones the way you want them to and it is okay
if they don’t know how an OTP works. Just don’t bombard them with stuff that
makes them feel uncomfortable. Kindness and understanding are the two apps you
need to download right now :P because even you are going to get old one day and
will have to learn from your children!
Love,
Vinita
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