Why life is not an online world for everybody

NOW we are in 2022 we are led to believe that everything is online, everyone has a computer, and online is the answer to all our problems.

If people really think that then you aren’t living in the real world, but rather living on another planet or in virtual reality.

In this actual world, many people don’t own a computer because they cant afford one or aren’t computer literate, so online is a real complete pain in the neck.

Every time you ring the NHS, the bank, hospital or gas and electric or local government after listening to ten minutes of information by artificial intelligence, they say to go online.

I really feel for many elderly people who don’t even know what online means and when they are deaf they can’t even hear what the person is saying or understand what they are talking about on the phone and if they are partially sighted and have a computer they can’t see what they are doing unless they have a technical app.

When you are phoning up on someone’s behalf you are relayed a message from artificial intelligence or, if you are really fortunate, a human being.

Then after going through this frustrating process you are told if you aren’t the next of kin or the power of attorney they aren’t allowed to engage unless they speak to the elderly disabled or sick person who can’t speak themselves, and at the same time that person gets very frustrated as they can’t hear what you are saying or know what’s going on.

Other problems the elderly face is that many of the village post offices are now closing down, and they have to go to another village with a post office – that’s if you can find one!

However, if they are housebound this means they more than likely have to pay the earth to get there via a taxi if they haven’t got a carer, local help or a willing relative to take them. The post offices should be increasing, not decreasing, making life absolute hell for everyone.

Many families today are dysfunctional and have issues so they don’t visit their relative or engage with family, which makes it impossible to make important decisions, causing us issues as we then struggle to help the person we are caring for.

When you think that many of the elderly alive today have gone through a war and worked all their lives to keep their family going and take their children to hospital visits and school evenings to discuss their child’s ability and so on and brought them up over an 18-year period, it amazes me.

In the Bible it says, children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honour your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Deuteronomy 5:16 ESV.

I myself commute from Dorset to Leicester to visit my mum, costing £300 a time for hotel and petrol, which often means I have to do a gofundme but I come because I love and care for my 91-year-old mum.

This is what we should do, especially for our parents. The elderly, disabled or sick should have another option than online and not only elderly but disabled and those who aren’t computer literate.

Lastly, we should recognise the great work of the churches in Leicester and Leicestershire as I am sure many elderly couldn’t exist without their help and care.

Elaine Glover, Leicester born and

bred but now in Dorset