Few things sadden me as much as watching old guys use technology. Not that’s it’s a hobby per se, but more an observation that I have become accustomed to over the years. It makes me sad as it represents the beginning of the end: the first true realisation that their peak is over and the decline is now in place, as new-fangled ways of doing things, and technology, pass them by quick speed.

The first realisation I had was when a family member phoned me in a blind panic a few years ago as "some guy with a funny accent" had control of their computer. As they tried to talk to me on the phone they were also swearing at the PC as he controlled the mouse and opened up private documents. I asked if he had a microphone, and it turns out he didn’t, and I never did get to the bottom of why he was shouting the most obscene profanities at an IBM screen. Despite my advice, this family member paid the money demanded and then wrote a letter to Watchdog, which tells you all you need to know about their struggles with the new age, as they put their faith not in a virus checker, but in Matt Albright.

Each time he calls me, and I miss the call, there are three or four calls in quick succession. Thinking there must be a problem, such as he has fallen down the stairs, or that the dog has gone to the great kennel in the sky, it is usually a frantic, techie call. Yesterday this unnamed family member called to ask why they couldn’t buy a CD on Amazon? "What do you mean…you can’t?" They explained they were going onto Google. It took me a good score minutes and five to explain how they were two separate entities as he referred to the ‘interweb’.

Others of a certain vintage have issue with comprehending how cars are now reliant on computerised brains, and diagnostic equipment is now a necessity when attempting to translate the latest dashboard warning light. Others leave themselves open to theft as internet banking can’t be trusted, whereas the underside of the mattress, as cliched as it is, is a safe haven for hard-saved monies.

And yet there is light at the end of the grey-tinged tunnel. According to Age UK, 83 per cent of 65-74-year-olds have used the internet at least once in the previous three months (as opposed to 91 per cent of all adults), whereas only 45 per cent of over 75s have in the same time period. The elderly give their reasons as thus: 41 per cent are ‘not sure how to use it’, 36 per cent aren’t interested and 34 per cent are concerned about being scammed. Some 27 per cent claim they don’t have the adequate technical support and surprisingly, especially bearing in mind pandemic loneliness, only 4 per cent fail to surf due to health issues.

So, it seems that my family member is not alone and, due to frustration, and despite my best efforts, the will is there but the skill set is not. Therefore, I see no reason why the elderly social clubs that will spring back to life in the coming weeks could not emphasise lifelong learning as their mantra and get a young buck or two in to offer training. Ongoing support could open a world that may just save their sanity as they age and those around them depart. Of course, it should not be the only go-to for those struggling with isolation, but it is yet another string to their bow as the youth teach them about bits and bytes and they return the favour by sharing their worldly experience and long-lasting mechanical nous in return payment.

  • Brett Ellis is a teacher