Top 5 tips for helping loved ones overcome a fear of technology

Many seniors can be very nervous using technology, but we know how to help overcome those fears. Our expert Technical Support Officer Elliott shares his top tips for helping seniors feel comfortable with technology – and they’re simpler than you might think.

At Feros Care, we’re all about connecting seniors with technology to improve their lives, health, and connectivity to others. Many are reluctant to embrace the digital world, however thanks to our many years of experience here at Feros Care, we’re well-versed in helping overcome those fears – and we’re here to provide support.

Elliott Cronan is a Technical Support Officer for Feros Care and works with seniors as part of our Let’s Get Technical program, spending up to ten one-on-one sessions with each client to learn more about technology and how to use it.

“Most of my clients have dabbled in technology but are not really into it,” explains Elliott. “They’re worried they might break something, or get hacked, or scammed. They might have a tablet but haven’t touched it for six months.”

Elliott shares his advice for helping seniors operate their devices with confidence and overcome their fear of technology.

1/  Start with the basics

“The biggest way to scare people off is to overcomplicate things,” Elliott explains. “Start with the basics – all you really need to begin is to talk to the person in language they understand and work out what they want to do.”

Long before he was part of the Feros Care team, Elliott would help his grandmother use her phone. “Every time I saw her, we would try a couple of things. Once she’d mastered those, we’d do one or two more.”

This might involve showing people how to read and reply to emails, use internet banking, use Google Maps, or follow their closest family members on social media. It’s important to cater directly to their interests and what may suit their lifestyle best.

2/  Do it with them, not for them

“The most common thing my clients say is that a lot of family help them by doing it for them, but not by showing them,” says Elliott. “I know it might get frustrating to explain the same thing a hundred times, but getting them to actually do it is the key.”

By trying it themselves and having a go, your loved ones are much more likely to take it on, and they will be so thrilled when they have success.

Elliott gives the example of one client who learned how to turn his lights on and off with the Google Home system set up through Feros Care’s Smart Home Modifications program.

“He’s not the most confident with technology, but I showed him the basics and now he loves that sort of stuff.”

3/  Explain they won’t break anything

Seniors can be concerned about pressing the wrong button and accidentally deleting a program, or breaking the device due to its unfamiliarity and fragile nature.

“I try to explain to my clients, it’s harder than you think to cause true damage to a device,” laughs Elliott. “So don’t worry. You might accidentally delete things, but you can always get it back and recover it.”

4/  Use a tablet

If phones seem that little bit too small, and laptops too big or too frightening, there’s the perfect middle ground for the seniors – the tablet. It’s the perfect starting point for those who are just getting to know the possibilities of new technology.

“Tablets are really maneuverable, you can take them anywhere. Use them in bed, take them to the living room or even for a drive if you have to,” explains Elliott.

5/  Ask a Technical Support Officer to break it down in a way they’ll understand

You might not know exactly how to teach someone in your family how to use technology, and that’s okay. Our Technical Support Officers know exactly how to word it so that it makes sense to seniors. They’re also chock-a-block full of patience and empathy, ready to go at their pace and cater to their style of learning.

“A client may not understand a system update, so I explain that it’s like getting a car service – you do it to maintain the car,” Elliott says. “The updates are usually based around the hacks or security breaches so it makes the computer or tablet stronger. And that’s usually something my clients can understand.”

For more information about how our Let’s Get Technical program can help you or a loved one use technology with confidence, click here.