I'm 56 now and truth be told, I like listening to other people's stories. But I also try to keep up with the latest tech and have noticed how fast things can start to feel overwhelming, even for me. Several years ago, a close friend’s mother (whom I’ve known and cared about for decades) asked for help setting up her new iPad. My professional background is in digital marketing so I understand tech and always had the latest and greatest gadgets. I guided her over the phone and it worked fine for simple things. But as the years went by and her needs got more serious such as logging into bank accounts, managing passwords, and accessing retirement benefits, phone calls weren’t enough.
After her husband, who managed all the bills and finances, was diagnosed with Dementia, she was suddenly alone and facing all of this with no one nearby she could call for help, let alone trust. The local repair shop could fix hardware, but they couldn’t sit beside her and patiently walk her through these real-life issues. She wasn’t just frustrated but she was stuck. A task such as resetting a password or logging on to the computer is easy for me, but she had no idea what to do. It was heartbreaking. I realized there are many people in the same position, trying to navigate a digital world that wasn’t built with them in mind. I've now got some free time and I can be the person who shows up, listens, and helps make technology feel less intimidating and life a little easier.
