How to help an older person who is not good using digital things?

Question

I know she is in her sixties, but I have repeatedly shown her how to use it, she don't wanna know. She is a total techno - phobe. How can I help her get into the digital age...I feel she would benefit, write me emails, text me, and so on. Does anyone have this issue, or are you an older person who struggles with digital things? I also bought her a dvd player which she finds really hard to use - so she does'nt. I have written her a guide how to use them...she forgets where she puts them. What will happen when the digital switch over happens? Will I have to buy her a new all in one tv? Any sensible advice would be great thank you!

Answer 1

I don't think you need sensible advice I think you need understanding. Your obviously a wonderful person to take thee interest that you are. I am approaching my 80th year and been with PC's since my retirement, I must admit I'm beginning to find things now becoming complicated and difficult to follow, yet my Granddaughter of 13 years treats the computer like she was born with it. Sorry dear, you first thing you notice when you are getting older is you memory is going, then its you understanding, your hearing not too good and then what you have been pressing all your life has change and now you have to press something else but you cannot remember what. Digital TV should not be a problem. My sensible advice dear, is bear with her, understand she is going to get worse. I hope when you get old you meet somebody like you are now. For my money, you're get round it and from the lady your helping, I'm sure its thank you.

Answer 2

MzD has the right idea. There are some people who just plain don't find the thrill of it all and it takes a peer to get the interest going. I worked in a nursing home and they had computer stations in the common area. Many got interested just by playing solitaire.....that led to an e-mail that was waiting for a friend, while they were waiting for a letter, and found they could have more direct contact if they gave it a shot....that led to pics of the kids and grandkids and before long they were off an running.

As far as the rest....gee....first off the phones and remotes are so darn small. I mean tiny buttons you can barely see let alone hit right. So I'd almost say forget texting......but they do have those big remotes for TV and all. I mean big ones. Complete with plenty of room to put basic directions you could stick right on the back of it ...written big enough to read. My big fear.....and maybe it's the age I was raised......I was afraid to use them. Don't know about you but it was drilled into me.....if you don't know what the heck you're doing keep your darn mitts off it. This cost alot of money and we can't replace things all the time because you break it.

I was terrified I would break something or destroy something and I would rather leave it alone and not use it than risk busting it. I needed to feel secure in the fact that I wasn't going to do any serious damage and that nothing I did couldn't be un-done. Now after that....well....there's times I want to pitch it through the window....lol....but atleast now I'm not afraid of it.....it fears me. LOL

Answer 3

Well, my dear, 60s is not "that old". I'm in my 60s and I work, use a puter all day, use a VCR and DVD player. I have technologically challenged friends my age. I have struggled to teach them how to use their answer machine, program the VCR, send email without showing all the email address, and even program their oven. I have not won many of these struggles. I am so sorry. Some people just don't ever catch on. Even some "younger" people. Just do what you can...patiently. Forgetting where she puts the instructions is scary. How about putting them under the DVD player? Mentioning this to her doctor may be a good idea., especially if there has been a change recently. Good Luck.

Answer 4

It could be plain old fear that's preventing her from learning. I got my first computer at age 62 and though I might just be wasting my money. I was not sure I could learn anything. I had never touched one before. It took me over two weeks to send an email successfully. She needs a lot of patience on your part. Tape your instructions to the devices. The tape can come off later. Sit with her at the computer and get her on line. Getting a user name and password can be time consuming. It takes imagination, most are taken.
I'm not so sure about a combo TV. I got one two years ago and now the video recorder/player and the DVD player do not work. The TVs great, fine picture. It's an Emerson. Maybe another brand would be better. Good luck to you both. I love my laptop. It's a great pastime.

Answer 5

Sign her up for a computer class that is devoted to Senior Citizens. Then she will be with other people her age who are asking the same questions she is and having the same problems. Maybe after she conquers the computer and email she will try that DVD player again. (I've had my DVD player for 2 years now and still struggle with the dang thing!)

Answer 6

They are afraid of it.

It scares the hell out of them.

They are the kind that were able to deal with anything and then, along came computers.

I'm 72 and I don't have a problem but . . . . I learned to work with the computer when I worked my job and we bought our first PC for home use in the early 80's.

I took classes and on the job training.

It's one of those things that like, "That sounds easy for you to say or do."

I have a friend who I have worked with for several years, to no avail.

If you want to learn, you have to care and if you don't care, you can't learn.

It's sometime hard for seniors to learn to use a remote for the TV, unless they are men and they are allowed to channel surf all night long. lol.

Sometimes, if they can get interested in emails, you can help them set up an account and start sending them email from you and a few of their friends.

See if they will at least try, if you help them learn to open them and send.

Hope I helped a little.

I don't know why I refer to them, as them. I'm 72 and I'm one of them seniors I'm referring to.

Answer 7

Look each to his own some people do not want to know about certain machines etc, My husband can run a digital recording studio no problem he's 74, but he can not run a pc or a dvd player because he is not interested, but Im sure if people really want to do something for themselves they will

Answer 8

At 67 i love all the new toys. I have learned on my own. The newest is a digital weather station. I guess if she isn't interested she wont try to learn. Stop wasting your money. Maybe she would have fun with a digital camera.

Answer 9

If they don't want to do it, you can't force them. I bought my aunt in another state a portable CD player & had to get someone show her how to use it. My mother didn't even want an answering machine. I'll admit I'm not computer saavy, but I have a daughter & son-in-law who have set me up with anti-virus protection & basic things like cleaning, etc. When I was in college, we had to put punch cards into a computer to get a result! I want to learn. There are some community services for seniors at libraries, etc who will teach them free. Anyway, you can't force her. If she doesn't want to learn, she won't.

Answer 10

Your best bet would be to not purchase items for which she has no use and no desire to use. Some people are just not in to the digital age and don't care to be. They enjoy their privacy and many digital gadgets intrude on that. Just visit and call her...she'll love that more and be glad you quit nagging her.