Independent Living and the Internet

Later this week I will be spending an hour or so with one of my customers called Mr Lancashire (not his real name). About three months ago, he decided to get broadband – his first experience of the internet. He now wants to learn how to shop online. Mr Lancashire is 86 years young.

At the moment, Mr and Mrs Lancashire rely on someone to do their supermarket shopping for them. That is fine, but it does leave them rather dependent. Mr Lancashire sees that using the internet for their weekly shop is a way of preserving his independence. They are going to keep using their friend to do some shopping, but should that arrangement come to an end, they know there is an alternative way to get fresh supplies.

My dealings with Mr Lancashire have set me thinking. I have left out an earlier part of the story. When he made his order for the internet (with a major Internet Service Provider), the ISP sent him the hub, cables and instructions, with the assumption that the customer will set it up by him- or herself. Mr Lancashire could not make sufficient sense of the instructions to do it for himself. So he contacted the provider, who wanted to charge him nearly £100.00. He politely said No thank you.

Instead, he contacted me. I serviced his computer, updated it ready for the internet, and installed security software. When I returned his PC, I connected his hub to the phone socket and then to his PC, checked that the internet was working, and set up his email – all for significantly less than his ISP was offering.

And my point is? There must be lots of people like Mr Lancashire, people who in their working lives never had contact with computers, and never saw a use for one in their leisure-time or in retirement. And yet it is dawning on some of them that the PC and the internet provide ways to stay in control, maintain one’s independence, and facilitate staying in one’s own home.

The internet-connected computer not only enables internet shopping, but also contact and communication with family and friends, via email, or visiting Facebook sites to see photos of what those young family members are up to! Hobbies and interests can be enhanced and stimulated by joining discussion forums or regularly visiting dedicated websites. Managing bank and savings accounts, paying bills, renewing TV licences – all that and much more can be done from the comfort of one’s computer desk and chair, in one’s own home.

Mr Lancashire is keen to take advantage of the opportunity – hurrah! But he is an “innocent abroad” at the moment, trying to learn a whole new set of skills, so that he can “read the screen” and “navigate around the world-wide web”. It’s all a bit daunting, and with the best will in the world at 86 that’s quite a challenge.

It seems to me that personal support is a key element in enabling older surfers to enjoy the benefits of an internet-connected PC. There’s a role for younger members of the family if they are nearby, and there are courses provided by the University of the Third Age and other similar organisations.

And then there are people like me. Yes, I run a business, so I charge for my services. But I am keen to provide support for those in a similar situation to Mr Lancashire. I also hope it helps that I am a silver-haired entrepreneur, well past the first flush of youth! I am local, with most of my customers in the South Manchester area. And I am willing to support local customers over the phone if necessary.

If you are able, please spread the word that TLC is branching out to support silver surfers as they use the technology to stay in charge of their lives. Set-up, support and tuition – those are the key features of the package I’m offering.