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This is pretty much what I suspect is true in the US also. This article states that many can't even start and log in to the internet, and recommends more "offline" methods to access government services.
My own MIL refused to learn any computer-based activity. When her school district went to computers, she retired. FIL was eager to try email and would've loved Facetiming, but alas he passed away too soon.
This is pretty much what I suspect is true in the US also. This article states that many can't even start and log in to the internet, and recommends more "offline" methods to access government services.
Do you know many other seniors who can't get online, or struggle to use Google, etc?
The ones I know can all get on and use the internet and they've been doing it for decades.
I can see how the internet might be a tough thing for them to first learn how to navigate well into their 80's, though. But that doesn't explain why they didn't learn how to do it when they were younger.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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At least the UK has Internet access at home.!
They did a program similar the 1930's USA REA (Rural Electric Associations) to get fiber to rural UK.
We (USA) are light years behind. I finally have HS access at (1) of my (3) USA homes. The others(?) Probably never be served by HS internet (or cell signal)
So.... yes... if you don't have Internet available, it's tough to use it.
Meta and Google have donated much connectivity to 3rd world countries, hopefully they can bring their technology home someday.
The thing that I've noticed older seniors having trouble with is cell phone technology - texting, using their phones to "join a cue", scan a QR code, take pictures, use GPS, use an app, etc.
That stuff they need help with and by "help" I mean they need someone else to do it for them.
I get frustrated at restaurants and other places that don't have at least a few printed menus but insist that you scan a QR code and read the menu on your phone. Seriously, that's a pain in the butt, and is just far beyond what some seniors can do. Some don't even have smart phones, so how are they supposed to order?
I get frustrated at restaurants and other places that don't have at least a few printed menus but insist that you scan a QR code and read the menu on your phone. Seriously, that's a pain in the butt, and is just far beyond what some seniors can do. Some don't even have smart phones, so how are they supposed to order?
Back when they were restricting how many people could be inside of a DMV at a given time, you had to make an appointment online and provide a cellphone number so that when your appointment time drew near you would "join the cue" and wait outside in your car while their automated system sent you texts to let you know how far back "in line" that you were and when you were allowed to come inside of the building...
They were doing that kind of thing with some medical appointments, too.
It wasn't something that elderly people could manage by themselves. If they didn't have someone to help them, too bad, so sad.
There are also store coupons that you only have access to if you download their app. I guess if you don't know how to do that, again, too bad. No sale price for you.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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Quote:
Originally Posted by springfieldva
Back when they were restricting how many people could be inside of a DMV at a given time, you had to make an appointment online and provide a cellphone number so that when your appointment time drew near you would "join the cue" and wait outside in your car while their automated system sent you texts to let you know how far back "in line" that you were and when you were allowed to come inside of the building...
They were doing that kind of thing with some medical appointments, too.
It wasn't something that elderly people could manage by themselves. If they didn't have someone to help them, too bad, so sad.
Yes, many elderly in my state had no access to vaccines, Covid Tests or appointments due to them not having cell phones (or internet access).
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