Not using any modern technology!

Sago

I have a friend of 75, I started over 10 years ago to try and get her online.
She is so stubborn and refuses to learn, she is struggling now as we have moved away.
Sadly there is no helping some people.

The way my son got me started on using a computer was: he showed me his new Apple computer. then he asked me what I would like to look up. I told "Clyde Steamers". He found Clyde Steamers for me then simply left me to it with his computer----he is very generous--- and then I looked up all sorts of things. I never looked back and I still use the internet to satisfy my curiosity.

NanKate

I’ll save you a seat Allira 😀

Thanks!!

petra

Wyllow3
You already have what you need. Just because we have these devices that are able to get us to the moon and back doesn’t mean we have to use them all.
As you are aware we can practically do anything we want on these devices. Do I need a spread sheet, no I don’t. Do I want to use the split screen, no I don’t.
It’s the same as buying a car with all the bells and whistles. I don’t have to use them all.
Re the McCarthy & Stone homes. You have to pay for care if you want/need it and it’s not cheap.

Its very kind of you to give me that feedback pertra : and you are right, but have gone into it lock stock and barrel:

I am aware of the costs at MC and Stone as I not only had a friend living there but made enquiries into every possible detail and snag right up to their being able to sell your house for you and help you move and allow 2 weeks to do it in. (obvs at a cost, but the freedom from worry, and family are the sort that would think, "use your money now for what you need"

Basically the flats are not expensive - they have a rep of being difficult to sell: its the monthly amount you have to pay that is high - maybe a third of my income for a one bed flat.

But locally they are very spacious, well fitted out, and quiet (walls are thick enough). Nice views if you get the right flat, south facing.
And you see, currently I have to pay a gardener and repairs on a 1930's house...Yes, have gone into it, and could buy in my own caring, and they have a great GP practice, the same one as mine: they have a laundry and a computer room and so on.

whether one of the people there is an apple computer whizz I wont know know but there is of course wifi and some help using the communal computers.

I love technology but I can totally see that someone who, from the OP's description, sounds overwhelmed by their day to day life and simply doesn't feel able to take on anything new.

Wyllow3
You already have what you need. Just because we have these devices that are able to get us to the moon and back doesn’t mean we have to use them all.
As you are aware we can practically do anything we want on these devices. Do I need a spread sheet, no I don’t. Do I want to use the split screen, no I don’t.
It’s the same as buying a car with all the bells and whistles. I don’t have to use them all.
Re the McCarthy & Stone homes. You have to pay for care if you want/need it and it’s not cheap.

I’ll save you a seat Allira 😀

I can manage what I have to, and like things like playing with images in photos, but I must admit to being concerned about when I get older (I'm 75 now) technology will have just moved faster than I honestly can

The problem is I live alone, I don't really have anyone local who can help me out, tho the local iRepair shop will help out, and even make home calls, but my it costs.

As things stand, I love being able to chat to others online, I love Zooms, I'm definitely addicted to my mobile phone for contacting people and taking pictures.

I think what is needed (do tell me if it exists already) in the very long term is phone wise a simple one to take calls, messages, and look things up on the internet: and a simple lap top computer that keeps me in touch in everyday with the world, prints off (with a cable!!) and of course Zoom.

and doesn't come with all the rest

and what all need in the long term is someone local to help out!

and a simple lap top computer that keeps me in touch in everyday with the world, prints off (with a cable!!) and of course Zoom.

there is a lovely lady who comes to my Quaker meeting as she lives in the sheltered flats just next to it, she can just hobble there and could get a scooter after that, but she is lonely:

She had no idea for example what Zoom could give her - regular Zoom meetings of Quakers/family to chat with: but at 83 has never had anything to do with technology all her life. (Where I worked in 1989 we got given Apple computers and could already use a keyboard)

I can't possibly offer that support: it's really sad.

Well, since my long term plans when needed is to live in a Mc Carthy and Stone flat, there are bound to be some young carers around who will help out, or maybe I'd pay someone to keep me on the straight and narrow....

Nannan2

Ive no time for social media though, it all seems a bit 'braggy' tbh.

Yet here you are posting on a social media site. 🤔

But still,each to their own as they say.🤷‍♀️

Ive no time for social media though, it all seems a bit 'braggy' tbh.

Yes Cabbie21,i was thinking same thing- if theyre on here then must be able to do some things on a phone or internet.I never thought i'd get a smart phone(though i had got a laptop,goodness that was about 17 yrs ago!) but when i did,i never looked back,(had a few since then) i would be lost without my smart phone now,do everything on it.My youngest sons grandmother just says "oh i wouldnt know what to do with it" when my son talks of his gaming,or internet- and im sure his grandad might have the rudiments or how else would they manage pension stuff as its all online now, and bill paying etc.(grandad has only recently got a mobile,due to their health,but its not a smart phone) My ex- hubby lives at home now with them,but maybe he helps,i dont know,but he was never the brightest button in the box tbh.😆but he can do some xbox games etc.But they never foodshop online.I dont know how they managed in lockdown times)and we dont live near to them,so they've missed out on skyping/texting my son all these years- And now even NHS things are all online, i dont know how they (or others like them) manage really...I mean im not greatly techy,but ill have a go if something goes wrong(like my printer connection or something) but if not i ask sons and if its something they can talk me through to rectify ill give it a go,if not ask them for help.But at least i try.(im only 62 still though so not dicrepit yet😆)

NanKate

I’m taking my friend to ‘The Far Away Tree’ as I know she used to read Enid Blyton as a child. We may be the only pensioners there 😀

I thought if I took her to anything with swearing in she would hate it, or a sex scene 😳 my choices were very narrow. If she read some of the books I read she could have a touch of the vapours! Just read the award winning ‘The puppet show’ by M W Craven, very violent for a tiny minority of the book but other than that I could hardly put it down.

Can I come with you please 😁

NanKate

I’m taking my friend to ‘The Far Away Tree’ as I know she used to read Enid Blyton as a child. We may be the only pensioners there 😀

I thought if I took her to anything with swearing in she would hate it, or a sex scene 😳 my choices were very narrow. If she read some of the books I read she could have a touch of the vapours! Just read the award winning ‘The puppet show’ by M W Craven, very violent for a tiny minority of the book but other than that I could hardly put it down.

Oh you'll love it- I know I did! It does have an anti-technology aspect to it too. Don't worry about the age profile, plenty of old ladies there when I went!

I’m taking my friend to ‘The Far Away Tree’ as I know she used to read Enid Blyton as a child. We may be the only pensioners there 😀

I thought if I took her to anything with swearing in she would hate it, or a sex scene 😳 my choices were very narrow. If she read some of the books I read she could have a touch of the vapours! Just read the award winning ‘The puppet show’ by M W Craven, very violent for a tiny minority of the book but other than that I could hardly put it down.

Aely I've been working with varioys types of computers since about 1964 too but I could not live my life working from a smart phone.

Surely it can't be good for the eyesight and I wonder if people will develop wrinkles around the eyes and "11" lines from constant squinting at their phones?

But the endless requests for me to sort out insurance, purchase things from Amazon or wanting an online shop. Well, it's rather annoying.

REKA have you tried offering to talk your friend through how to do one of these things herself? I'd suggest buying something through Amazon to start with.
Next time she asks you to do it for her, tell her no, but this is your best offer!

I first programmed a computer in 1966, for the MoD. I was 18. I taught myself to program the BBC B and Acorn Electron in about 1986, when the kids were young. I bought my first desktop in 1993, taught myself to use Office and used it to do the accounts when I had Probate for my mother's estate. In the late 1990s I did an NVQ in IT. I played with the early internet, Compuserve and AOL, finally moving to Virgin using a 7k modem and a telephone line with my state of the art Windows 3.1 AST computer. It even had a CDROM. In the late 1990s, when I "returned to Work" after 18 years of raising children I got a job and taught my boss to use his newly installed work computer. At home I had XP, a printer, a scanner, a gadget to transfer VHS to digital, I digitised my favourite music, and colourised B&W photos. So, I am not tech shy.
BUT
now I have a laptop (which I dislike) and only a laptop. No printer, no scanner, no smartphone, no tablet. I have an old kindle my daughter gave me but have only used it for novellas unavailable in print. I prefer books.
As for the gadgets, I can't be bothered.
I will NOT do online banking and certainly not on an easily stolen mobile. I very rarely shop online and then only on certain sites. After experimenting with online groceries and clothing I decided visiting the supermarket and clothes shops was preferable for getting what I wanted. I'll use the internet to find what I want (usually to do with gardening now) and do the transaction by phone if possible.

My sister (80) in Canada can't use a computer and has no wish to learn even since her tech savvy husband died. Not having an email facility, she only hears from me once or twice a year, by 'phone. At least she answers it now. She never used to. I had to ring when her DH was in.

What will happen if/when we have another "Carrington Event" (1859)? We have made ourselves so reliant on computers that society will fall apart. We won't even have drinking water because the pumping stations are computerised.

I have a couple of friends who won't look at Facebook as they think it's all bragging about your family. I find it very useful for local news and following a rescue center where I got my cat.I suggested to one friend that he could get a cat as he wants from the same lady but he refused to look and doesn't even have a mobile phone.Hes 78.

I love my iPad and try to keep in touch with people all over the world through email as post offices have disappeared and postage is getting silly. I love writing letters but it’s too expensive. DH hates technology but manages shares and Hargreaves Lansdown on line. Otherwise he treats me As his secretary which annoys me . If I predeceased him he would be in a mess. But I wouldn’t know ….

I have a friend who refuses to use any technology. And she's only 65. Not married, Has a daughter who she rarely sees

If she kept her lack of interest in tech to herself that would be fine but she doesn't. She's struggling in a world that really is long gone

I could understand more if she was 85. But the endless requests for me to sort out insurance, purchase things from Anazon or wanting an online shop. Well, it's rather annoying.

Thats kind and practical Nankate. You dont have ro be clever to do any of these techy things otherwise half the country wouldnt be able toL
You just have to want to learn or have to learn.
Enjoy the film. Please tell us what you watched. I am rather looking forward to the latest Lesley Manville film. Midwinter Break I think it is called.

Good. luck NanKate.

Its up to the person concerned as long as she was not expecting me to do it for her.

Being online and being tech savvy is no substitute for people, good neighbours, family and face to face intereaction. There's a lot of intolerance here..........be kind.

WithNobsOnIt

Further to my last post. Thought you may be interested in the sort of quillmpen l use

The cheaper ones are made from horrible Turkey feathers..But Goose are better and Swan is definitely the best.

🦃🪶✒️🪿🪽😻

😂
Thanks for the recommendations!