Technology Caregiving: Best Practices

*A caregiver helping her father use a laptop.*

As we move further into the digital age, many tools and resources are moving online, leaving behind those with accessibility challenges. Technology caregivers, or tech caregivers, are there to bridge the gap for their loved ones by providing access to these online services.

But tech caregiving can be a new challenge even for the most experienced caregiver. Here are a few tips that can help you balance tech support with your other responsibilities.

What is Tech Caregiving?

Technology caregiving, or tech caregiving, is when a person provides tech support to an older adult or person with accessibility difficulties. Though we’ve all helped a relative or neighbor with tech before, tech caregivers face unique challenges since they often provide 24/7 support for all sorts of devices, applications, and online portals.

Tech caregivers facilitate access to important online resources such as:

Banking tools
Medical records
Telehealth calls with doctors
Social security, RMV, and veterans services
Video calls to friends and family

Caregivers of older adults, especially those with memory loss, are often called on frequently to answer questions or remind their loved one how to do something. This can be a frustrating ordeal. If you’re finding yourself as the go-to tech support for an older adult, here are some best practices to help both you and your loved one.

1. Schedule Time for Support

If your loved one is asking for tech support almost every day, consider setting aside a specific time for tech help, for example, 30 minutes after dinner. Encourage them to write all their issues down and go through them one by one at the designated time together.

Building boundaries for your time saves you from the stress of questions throughout the day and helps you manage your workload more effectively.

2. Build a Tech Support Network

You’re not alone as a caregiver. Family friends, neighbors, and community members are often more than willing to help. If you’re at your wit’s end with providing tech support, a nearby neighbor or younger relative may be available to step in. Identifying and reaching out to these people builds a tech support network to take on some responsibility when you need a break or when you’re away.

3. Find Online Resources and Guides

The internet hosts a wealth of information gathered over the years. For every question you or your loved one has, there’s likely a YouTube tutorial or online guide that will walk you through each step.

Though it may be frustrating not to know the answer immediately, a quick Google search can turn a confusing question into a learning and bonding moment for you and your loved one as you search for the answer together.

Looking to build your tech skills from the ground up? Check out our article on Tech Help: In-Person and Online Classes

4. Practice Patience and Empathy

Walking your loved one through something for the umpteenth time can be frustrating. But it’s important to remember that your loved one may also be embarrassed or feel bad for bothering you. Recognizing this helps you navigate each situation with patience, empathy, and kindness.

If you need someone to talk to, our caregiver support groups, offered in-person and online, are here to listen and share support. Contact your caregiver advisor or email [email protected] to learn more.

5. Teach Online Safety

Finally, the most important things you can do is review online safety with your loved one:

Never give your personal information, such as full name, Social Security number, or bank information, to a person you don’t know.
Avoid suspicious links.
Never send money online for a “sudden emergency.”

Remember, Medicare or other government services will never call you to ask for your personal information and will never cancel service without prior notice.

Online scams are always evolving. But by going over a few key tips, you can rest assured that your loved one’s information and money are safe as your household leverages online tools to their fullest potential.

To learn more about older adult scam prevention or to report a scam, click to visit the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office’s website.