AS our senior citizens transition into their “super senior” years, simply leading a normal life can become an ordeal.
When I hear the word “digital,” my mind instantly goes back to standard digits and mental arithmetic – a core skill during my school days in the 1960s.
My children, on the other hand, grew up in the calculator era, where mental math took a back seat.
Even today, I can sum up a column of numbers faster than someone reaching for a device.
But that is where my advantage ends.
In today’s digital age, modern technology is complete Greek to many seniors, offering them little to no user-friendliness.
I have a cousin now in his mid-80s who somehow manages to find his way to the bank.
It is then that his stress levels build up, as he stands at a loss inside the bank.
This is just one of the daily predicaments faced by our elders, where even accessing basic services now requires navigating QR codes and downloadable apps.
Much like paddy farmers who toil barefoot in muddy soil so others can eat, our senior citizens now find themselves neglected.
After building this country with their own hands, they are suddenly left feeling discarded.
Some are fortunate enough to have children or grandchildren to lend a hand, but that support is not always reliable.
Relatives can grow impatient with constant questions, forcing seniors to tiptoe around their moods just to ask for help.
Reluctant to be a burden, many brave elderly individuals take a leap into the digital world on their own – only to end up as targets for scammers.
I consider myself one of the fortunate ones – my son keeps me grounded, repeatedly telling me not to pull any “stunts” or venture into digital territory I know nothing about.
From a holistic point of view, we must always take into account the plight of our senior citizens.
With the advancement in technology, the needs of those who played a pivotal role in nation-building, should never be ignored. The concept of a caring society should always be upheld.
THIAGAN MATHIAPARANAM
Klang
