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Started By
Message
Is anybody else the help desk for their elderly parents technology confusion?
Posted on 7/15/25 at 3:52 pm
Posted on 7/15/25 at 3:52 pm
It’s maddening and comical and saddening all at the same time.
I feel so bad bc they are old and lost and it really highlights their late stage of life. But it’s also comical at how confused and discombobulated they are with anything technology wise despite being relatively computer/internet competent in the past.
My mother just called bc she “can’t get her email” on her new laptop (that’s she’s had for well over a year). After much confusion I got her there but it’s apparent she has no grasp of the fact that each service (laptop profile, bank, email, cox cable, Entergy etc) each has their own username and password. And she doesn’t know the difference between a website and a web browser and a search bar or a status bar.
I try not to get too frustrated and I’m fearful of the days when I’m calling my kids and asking them these questions and so helpless.
I feel so bad bc they are old and lost and it really highlights their late stage of life. But it’s also comical at how confused and discombobulated they are with anything technology wise despite being relatively computer/internet competent in the past.
My mother just called bc she “can’t get her email” on her new laptop (that’s she’s had for well over a year). After much confusion I got her there but it’s apparent she has no grasp of the fact that each service (laptop profile, bank, email, cox cable, Entergy etc) each has their own username and password. And she doesn’t know the difference between a website and a web browser and a search bar or a status bar.
I try not to get too frustrated and I’m fearful of the days when I’m calling my kids and asking them these questions and so helpless.
54
Posted on 7/15/25 at 3:55 pm to sidewalkside
*raises hand*
Posted on 7/15/25 at 3:56 pm to sidewalkside
Yes my siblings and I take turns being tech support. My dad cannot understand why his wifi doesn't work when he leaves the house. I've tried explaining it with drawn out sketches and diagrams and everything and he simply cannot grasp that the wifi is not on his phone. It's maddening and funny at the same time.
Posted on 7/15/25 at 3:58 pm to sidewalkside
I used to be, now my daughters are mine.
Posted on 7/15/25 at 4:02 pm to sidewalkside
Not related to parents, but I don’t have much patience for people under 70 or so who can’t do the most basic tech stuff
Everyone has had a computer in their pocket for a decade plus. Figure it out
Everyone has had a computer in their pocket for a decade plus. Figure it out
Posted on 7/15/25 at 4:02 pm to GasMan
In return I provide lessons to my kids on how to operate a K&E slide rule.
Posted on 7/15/25 at 4:04 pm to sidewalkside
Just hung up with moms. Trying to walk her thru sending an email from her phone.... 
PS - Ive got her paranoid about scams now, which is a good thing. A few months back they had her at Walgreens buying Amazon gift cards and she thought she was talking to Amazon...
PS - Ive got her paranoid about scams now, which is a good thing. A few months back they had her at Walgreens buying Amazon gift cards and she thought she was talking to Amazon...
This post was edited on 7/15/25 at 4:06 pm
Posted on 7/15/25 at 4:12 pm to Trevaylin
Yeah I swap things like fixing the motor in the truck or the cars a/c compressor, or removing the door panel to replace the window motor that quit…..
Posted on 7/15/25 at 4:19 pm to The Mick
I had to try to explain to my dad why he was getting cell phone bills when hadn't even turned the damn thing on -- and he was not a dumb man.
Technology passes us all by sooner or later.
Technology passes us all by sooner or later.
Posted on 7/15/25 at 4:24 pm to sidewalkside
Of course. Just as they were for their parents and my kids will be for me. As God intended.
Posted on 7/15/25 at 4:34 pm to sidewalkside
Yes. I don't mind it though. I appreciate them hanging around long enough to see the kids grow up and take care of me during my stupid times.
Posted on 7/15/25 at 4:38 pm to The Mick
quote:
paranoid about scams
My FIL has a compulsion for clicking on the ‘you have a virus’ type scams. Calls the 800 numbers. Lately doesn’t save word docs or if he does, can’t find the file later. Luckily, he calls my wife for tech support.
Posted on 7/15/25 at 4:39 pm to sidewalkside
Spent 45 minutes on the phone with my mom not long ago explaining how to install and use the ESPN app on their TV so my dad could watch baseball.
At the end she says "Now I can show your dad how to use it" and I heard him in the background say "bullshite!"
At the end she says "Now I can show your dad how to use it" and I heard him in the background say "bullshite!"
Posted on 7/15/25 at 4:41 pm to OU812ME2
My parents don’t do much tech thank goodness. Only thing mother has is a iPad and Facebook. She is content with just that, no more, she acts like if she touches a smart phone or computer she’ll break it. She’s had the pad for about a year and does good with it. Dad has nothing.
Posted on 7/15/25 at 4:41 pm to SpotCheckBilly
quote:
I had to try to explain to my dad why he was getting cell phone bills when hadn't even turned the damn thing on -- and he was not a dumb man.
Technology passes us all by sooner or later.
I could see this just because back in the day your bill would fluctuate depending on how often you called/texted.
ETA - I remember having to pay my parents if I texted too much. Had to wait until after 7 pm sometimes to call up the girlfriend!
This post was edited on 7/15/25 at 4:43 pm
Posted on 7/15/25 at 4:43 pm to sidewalkside
Yep. Luckily my cousin married an IT forensic specialist with the SBI. I live 660 miles away. He lives 20 minutes away. He's a nice, cool dude.
My dad calls him now.
My dad calls him now.
Posted on 7/15/25 at 4:44 pm to sidewalkside
I was pretty proud of my folks for handling technology. Dad was born in '37 and Mom in '41. He rolled with email, online banking and other tech breakthroughs. Mom could handle her smartphone before the dementia set. They are both gone now. I would be happy to be their help desk.
Posted on 7/15/25 at 4:50 pm to sidewalkside
quote:
I try not to get too frustrated and I’m fearful of the days when I’m calling my kids and asking them these questions and so helpless.
Be more fearful for when your folks aren’t there anymore. You’ll miss those calls.
Posted on 7/15/25 at 4:52 pm to sidewalkside
Posted on 7/15/25 at 4:52 pm to bad93ex
quote:
*raises hand*
dilly dilly
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