Alright, let’s be real: nothing tests your patience (or reveals your secret talent for creative explanations) quite like helping an older loved one use technology. Maybe you’re the designated “tech whiz” in your family. Lucky you! But honestly, with a little patience and a few tricks up your sleeve, you can turn those calls of “The TV’s broken again!” into something you almost look forward to. Well, most of the time.
Start With Empathy, Not Eye Rolls
Here’s the thing: tech didn’t exist for most of our grandparents’ lives like it does now. There was no YouTube walkthrough or Google fix. If you remember that, you’ll find you have a little more patience to go around. I still remember explaining to my grandpa, for the tenth time, that his WiFi router just needed a quick reset. Yeah, it was the same issue as last week. But hey, to him it was a whole new problem.
Stick to One Thing at a Time
Don’t dump all your tech wisdom at once. Focus on one simple issue before moving on to the next. Maybe today’s lesson is just how to do a video call. Tomorrow, you tackle the mysterious world of passwords. When you stick to one thing, you’re less likely to overwhelm them, which makes everyone’s day better.
Write Everything Down (No, Seriously, Everything)
Here’s a tip: make step-by-step notes. And I mean real, old-school notes. Not just a quick text. Write instructions out on paper, using large print if you need to. If they’re in an assisted living community, maybe tape the instructions near their computer. Trust me, it can save you five frantic calls later when the printer suddenly “stops working” again.
Patience Is Not a Virtue, It’s a Requirement
You will repeat things. You will explain things that seem obvious to you. But patience, honestly, gets you further than any fancy tech hack. I usually stop for a breath and remind myself: computers used to scare me, too.
Make Technology Accessible (Leave Judgement at the Door)
Adjust those device settings. Make fonts bigger, increase the screen brightness, turn on voice controls. Little tweaks can make a world of difference, and can be the difference between “I can’t use this” and “Hey, look what I did!”
Avoid Tech Gobbledygook
Skip words like bandwidth, RAM, or “operating system.” Stick to button colors, simple shapes, and easy directions. “Tap the blue box,” not, “Open your browser and navigate.” Talking tech in plain English is way underrated.
The Small Wins Matter (Celebrate ‘Em!)
Every time they send that first emoji, or join a Zoom call all by themselves, make it a big deal. Celebrate those moments. I promise, it keeps you both motivated to try again next time. And hey, after a few of these, maybe you’ll be the one asking for a little help with that “newfangled” app down the road.
Remember, you’re not just doing tech support. You’re connecting—across generations, with a few laughs and maybe a few eyerolls tossed in. That’s what matters most.
You might also like our TUTEZONE section, which contains exclusive tutorials on making your life simpler using technology.
