FROM THE GRANDFATHER’S CLOCK TO GRANDPARENTS MAKING TIKTOK

On his last visit to India from the US, Mr and Mrs Haria’s son gifted them an intriguing
gadget- it was a flat disc that, the son claimed, was a robotic duster that could dust and
clean their sprawling duplex apartment that the old couple found hard to maintain. After initial
trepidation at the complex looking object, the Harias discovered that the robotic duster
wasn’t as hard to figure out as they had feared. In fact, it made their life much easier

It was since the 1990s that the world suddenly started advancing in technology at a far
greater pace than the previous centuries had witnessed. This time, the technology was not
meant only for fancy offices and industries, but it reached the homes of the common people.
Right from the simple microwave in the kitchen, to curtains that are drawn open or the AC
turned on by Siri before one reaches home , technology rules homes and lives of people.
While the younger generation is excited at the new incredible developments, it is the older
population that finds it hard to keep pace with mind boggling technology. As a result, one
finds the 50 plus population shying away from adapting to the changing lifestyle that is based
on complex technological advancements.

So, does everybody accept the fast paced technology or does a section of the population still
have its reservations? One finds more resistance among the senior citizens even now. The
reasons are many- costs, difficulty in learning a new skill, fear, rigidity, or even lack of
interest. Often the children are willing to bear the cost of a new swanky phone, but the
parents protest at the prices that they find unjustified. The younger population is at pains to
explain to the older people at home that learning to use a smart phone, the various apps and
other routine technology based implements in fact, would make the senior population’s life
easier.

A little push and initiative to the elders towards technology brings about refreshing changes
in their lives. Apart from of course being able to keep in touch with their loved ones, using
different apps also may free old parents from being excessively dependent upon house
helps and their erratic autocracy. With a little practice, seniors realize that right from milk to
flowers for Pooja, their fixed variety of rice to dry snacks like Chaklis, soft drinks and juices
for unexpected visitors, everything is available at the click of the thumb. With increasing
challenges in mobility, going out for shopping or banking, navigating traffic, bad roads and
carrying heavy bags seems like a humongous challenge. But with a variety of apps for
shopping, banking and entertainment, life becomes simpler. A medical test is booked on
phone, the technician comes home to take the sample, the reports are sent on the
WhatsApp that in turn is forwarded to the doctor, who will also send the prescription on
WhatsApp. Then it is either the local chemist who accepts orders on phone, or medicine
delivery apps that deliver all you need right at the doorstep! A fitness band enthusiastically
brought by the children give them hourly updates of their parents’ blood pressure or sugar.
Movie and tickets booked from the phone, services to carry items from here to there with a
couple of hours, are all also a byproduct of the technological advancements

Technology and its further advancement is here to stay. One may see further unimaginable
developments that are going to impact our lives and also help the older segment to remain
more healthy, independent and in touch with the world.
It is important for those around them to introduce their old parents or grandparents to newer
developments of this world, that will help them to navigate their twilight years with less
difficulty. However, it is also important to keep in mind that for a population that did not
witness such an advanced technology while growing up, it can feel extremely intimidating
and challenging for them to navigate the use of the same and may often hinder their ability to
thoroughly reap the benefits of it. Introducing older people to new technology requires
patience, simplifying and breaking it down in more steps, allowing them to ask questions that
may seem trivial, and helping them to practice in company till they become confident. For
example, often when the elder population asks for help with the technology, usually our first
response is to immediately do it for them, particularly if we are in a hurry. However, this can
take away the opportunity of learning from them and in turn make them dependent on others
for the use of technology, which, obviously defeats the purpose. What will be helpful, is to
frequently expose them to the use of the technological gadgets while carefully and patiently
explaining them the different aspects and steps of it. Helping them navigate the technology
at their own pace, assuring them that mistakes while using them won’t have disastrous
consequences, explaining them the steps over and over again until they get the hang of it
and providing them space to frequently ask questions will gradually build up their confidence
and eventually their ability to use technology effectively and independently, with little to no
help.
Remember, the more technologically aware your parents/grandparents remain, the more
independent they will be, making them feel more confident, purposeful and enjoy their
twilight years