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Tech support for an elderly friend? (lemm.ee)
submitted 2 weeks ago by intensely_human@lemm.ee to c/recommendations@lemmy.world
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I just spoke with a friend of mine on the phone. He’s got various tech support issues including worrying that his phone might have some malware on it.

I have the skills to help him, but I don’t have the time. Therefore I’m looking for more options.

My question is: are there services that specialize in tech support for elderly people? Maybe coming over to do tasks for them, or a place that he can go with devices?

I recommended he go to the T-Mobile store for questions about his phone’s security, but I know it can be hit or miss with the expertise of retail employees.

Does anyone know of an IT service that specializes in helping elderly/tech-non-savvy individuals?

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[-] MeepMorp@lemmy.world 6 points 2 weeks ago

Many libraries and senior centers have programs to help seniors with tech. If he has an iPhone, then the Apple store is a good option too.

[-] BearOfaTime@lemm.ee 2 points 2 weeks ago

Ooh, good one

[-] CuddlyCassowary@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago

YMMV, but I advertised for something similar for my elderly neighbors on NextDoor and other local apps, and helped them with the vetting process. We ended up with an excellent college student who was thankful for the extra income and homemade cookies.

[-] TootSweet@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago

AI image == downvote.

[-] DarkCloud@lemmy.world -1 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Teach them to learn, bounce them between ChatGPT and Google until they figure out how to research and solve their own issues.

If you or a service become their goto, they'll have what's known as "learned helplessness" (immediately going yo someone else with their problems)... Which you want to keep elderly people away from because it results in cognitive decline, and a lowering of their capacities.

[-] CuddlyCassowary@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

Sometimes eyesight, hearing, tremors, and other ailments both mental and physical are too much to overcome for every tech issue. Add to that the rapid state of technological change, and there are likely more worthwhile pursuits for some elderly folks to retain cognitive abilities.

[-] DarkCloud@lemmy.world 0 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

That's why all the operating systems have disability settings that can be turned on in the control panels, such as larger text, high contrast or colour blindness settings, larger cursors, and text to speech programs like Balabolka.

...I know, because I use these tools, because they're part of what's known as the curb-cut effect. So saying old people are too old to use technology is setting them up for failure.

[-] CuddlyCassowary@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Which do very little to help if their issue is a loose cable, router config, or anything in a system or app outside of ADA compliant areas - which are many, as I’m sure you know then. And also nothing to help with problems presented by various Alzheimer’s and similar diseases, syndromes and disorders, nor someone in physical pain, or limited energy from going through treatments. Many have trouble sticking with basic medical protocols, much less trying to figure out if ChatGPT is giving them a legit answer. Having 87 and 91 year old parents, and a partner who went totally blind at 36 has given me some insight. If they have to struggle to eat vs. figure out why their emails from their AOL account are suddenly not showing up in Google, guess where they’re going to put their limited energy?

this post was submitted on 28 Dec 2024
-16 points (19.2% liked)

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