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  • 6/22/2025
“Helping Elders Understand Tech – Without Being Rude Patient Teaching Tips”
Transcript
00:00Why is my screen black? Where's the Facebook?
00:03If these questions sound familiar, you're not alone.
00:07Helping elders navigate technology can trigger laughter, exasperation, and everything in between.
00:13But here's the real challenge.
00:15How do we support our elders through digital confusion,
00:18without impatience, sighs, or those accidental slips of rudeness?
00:23It's more than just fixing a phone.
00:25It's about connection, respect, and kindness.
00:28And yes, it's absolutely possible.
00:31Let's start by understanding why teaching tech to older adults can go so wrong.
00:37For many elders, new devices aren't just unfamiliar.
00:40They're intimidating.
00:42Imagine spending decades mastering one way of doing things,
00:46only to have the world change overnight.
00:49Buttons disappear. Screens replace paper.
00:52Simple tasks now come with passwords, updates, and pop-ups.
00:56It can feel like being tossed into deep water without knowing how to swim.
01:01For younger generations, though, the frustration is real, too.
01:05You might find yourself repeating the same instructions, over and over, while feeling your patience thin.
01:11But here's the catch.
01:12When someone senses condescension or impatience, their brain goes into protection mode.
01:18Instead of soaking up your instructions, they shut down, feeling embarrassed, or even ashamed.
01:24The key isn't just what you explain.
01:27It's how you make them feel while you do it.
01:29So, how do we communicate without shaming or talking down?
01:33Let's flip the whole mindset.
01:35The truth is, elders aren't bad at tech.
01:39They simply grew up learning in a totally different world.
01:42Their strengths are real.
01:43They just might not include swiping and tapping.
01:46And you?
01:47You're not a strict teacher handing out grades.
01:49You're a guide, a bridge, someone opening a door to new experiences.
01:53The words you choose matter.
01:55Try saying, let's do it together, instead of, just give it to me, I'll fix it.
02:00Or, you've got this, want me to walk you through again?
02:04Instead of, didn't I just show you this?
02:07These small changes turn a stressful moment into a shared adventure.
02:11They build confidence, not shame.
02:14And that's what leads to real learning.
02:16Ready for some practical tips?
02:18Here are three intimate strategies to make tech teaching patient and loving.
02:23First, sit beside, not above.
02:26This is about more than just pulling up a chair.
02:29When you're physically next to someone, looking at the same screen, it feels like teamwork.
02:35You're partners, not boss and student.
02:38Slow down, show your own screen, and move through each step together.
02:42When elders see you learning, too, it reminds them that everyone has questions sometimes.
02:47Second, repeat without resentment.
02:49Go in expecting to repeat instructions five, maybe even ten times.
02:55That's normal.
02:57Each time your elder feels safe enough to ask, you're building trust and emotional safety, rolling your eyes or sighing and does that.
03:05Instead, treat every question like it's the first time.
03:08Remember, patience today means more confidence tomorrow.
03:11And third, celebrate small wins.
03:13The first time your elder sends a message without help, that's huge.
03:17Say it.
03:18You did it all on your own.
03:20Amazing.
03:21Positive feedback sticks far more than any app tutorial.
03:28Every success, no matter how tiny, is a step toward independence.
03:33Your encouragement makes them want to try again.
03:35At the end of the day, helping elders with technology isn't just about screens and devices.
03:41It's about respect, patience, and love.
03:45The more gently you teach, the more confidently they'll learn.
03:48And those moments, full of laughter, pride, and maybe a few mistakes, become memories you'll both cherish.
03:55So, what's one funny or sweet tech moment you've shared with an elder?
04:00Share your stories.
04:01Those little victories matter.
04:03And remember, kindness is the best tech tip of all.

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