I feel sorry for our seniors. Many of them experience stress trying to adapt to today’s fast-changing world of technology. As they get older and more forgetful, their minds don’t think like Steve Jobs! As technology advances, they get increasingly left behind. They find the latest technologies more complex and confusing as they age. Think about it. For every technology we utilize, we have a username and password. Mobile devices now come with passcode locks that have to be remembered. Our parents don’t need more passwords to remember. They need simplicity more than they need security. We can assist our aging parents to stay connected to their families by reducing the technology stresses they face.

Photo Courtesy@IStockphoto.com/Ridofranz

   I started this process with Dad. A year ago he had no problem using his cellphone. When it rang, he could see who the call was coming from and choose to answer it. If the call rolled into voicemail, he knew his password to retrieve the message. If he wanted to make an outgoing call, he knew how to navigate his contact list, see the stored phone number, press it, and make the call. That has changed. He no longer remembers how to use his cellphone. The flip phone that was once familiar to him looks strange. Because his memory has declined, he can’t perform any of the basic phone skills I’ve enumerated. We cannot call him to stay in touch anymore.  

   I helped Dad stay connected to his family by switching to simpler, more familiar type of phone. My cellphone provider offered a cheap plan with a Wi-Fi hotspot resembling a modem. I went to Fry’s and bought a single portable handset that sits in a cradle to keep it charged. All I had to do was plug the phone jack of the handset into the Wi-Fi modem, and he was in business. Dad appreciated the simplicity of it. He has known for years how to use a handset, so when it rings, all he has to remember is to press, “talk,” and he is connected to us. In addition, this solution required no passwords. I didn’t attempt to set up his voicemail box because he would never think to check for messages, nor would he remember his passcode to access them.  

   A second way to reduce technology stress for our parents involves becoming their human “back-up” system. In the past, I tracked my Dad’s username and passwords. When he couldn’t access a website because he couldn’t remember his password, he would call me and tell me. I could provide his password within a minute. Now I’ve become the full back-up system for both my parents. If their memory lapses momentarily, they can call me, and I have their passwords ready for them. If they forget how to navigate a certain area of their iPad, I can talk them through the steps by looking at my own. This works the majority of the time by phone, but it is not full-proof. They love their iPad, so I am going to put together all of their key usernames and passwords and put them on one sheet of paper that fits the inside frame of their iPad cover. Once they lift the cover, they will see all the passwords they need. 

   Another way we can reduce technology stress for our parents is to leverage free training workshops offered by Apple Inc. I want to do this as a family. It will be a fun way to make a memory with my parents and learn more about our iPads. In Austin, they offer free one-hour classes at their stores. I think the more they master the iPad features, the less stress they will experience using them. I can send my parents links to free iPad video tutorials that they can watch at their convenience.  

   Our parents deserve as much help as we can to reduce the stress of technology. Part of honoring our parents is to help them stay as independent as possible and as proficient as possible with the technology tools on hand. I anticipate that as they age, the more simplified the technology needs to be. No matter what, we need to prepare to keep them connected to us. If your parents are like mine, they don’t want to feel like they are “bothering” us, but I think it is our privilege to serve them. As their children, they are looking to us to help them, even though they may not be asking for help out loud. Let’s be there for them. They need to hear from us and know that they have not been forgotten. 

   Let’s commit to ask our parents often, “How can I help today? Are there any computer issues that I can help you resolve?” The Lord will honor those who honor their parents. He gives us a promise in Eph 6:2-3, “Honor your father and mother – which is the first commandment with a promise – “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

   Are there other ways you can think of to reduce the stress of technology for our parents? Our community of readers would love to hear them.

Blessings,

Lee Ann