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 yourparents/grandparents remain, the more independent they will be, making them feel more confident, purposeful and enjoy their
twilight years
