Seemingly trivial things that elicit an emotional response of some kind

[Pblakeney]

Today's emotional response is anger.
My Dad who is 92, never used a smartphone let alone a computer cannot re-order incontinence pads as they have to be ordered online. He did try phoning but was on hold for over 2 hours! He does still try to be independent. The assumption is that everybody can do everything online.
Rant over. I re-ordered them for him.

 

[briantrumpet]

Today's emotional response is anger.
My Dad who is 92, never used a smartphone let alone a computer cannot re-order incontinence pads as they have to be ordered online. He did try phoning but was on hold for over 2 hours! He does still try to be independent. The assumption is that everybody can do everything online.
Rant over. I re-ordered them for him.

A post-op reflection of mine is that it would be impossible for an independent elderly person with no IT skills or internet connectivity to manage *any* of the post-op processes needed for what I've had done (which is generally an older person's procedure). Whether that's checking on test results, doing online clinics, or wotnot, I've felt a bit like a secretary sitting at my laptop doing all these things for myself. Thank goodness that my 92-year-old godmother, who steadfastly refused to register the 21st century (she wouldn't even get a cordless phone, preferring to go out to her draughty hallway, like everyone did in the 1960s) never had to navigate something like it before she dropped dead. She'd have had no idea, wouldn't understand that none of it could be effectively done by a quick phone call, and so would have been utterly reliant on others to do it for her, which would have infuriated her.

 

[Pblakeney]

She'd have had no idea, wouldn't understand that none of it could be effectively done by a quick phone call, and so would have been utterly reliant on others to do it for her, which would have infuriated her.

Apparently it can't even be done by phone any more. 🤬
I know as I tried before getting the details to do it online. PS - The 2 hours my Dad waited was to the point he gave up without an answer.

 

[icowden]

Apparently it can't even be done by phone any more. 🤬

It should all be possible by phone. You should raise a complaint with PALS if that system is not working. It isn't just pensioners who cannot necessarily use the internet.

A 2 hour wait for an answer is unacceptable.

 

[BoldonLad]

Today's emotional response is anger.
My Dad who is 92, never used a smartphone let alone a computer cannot re-order incontinence pads as they have to be ordered online. He did try phoning but was on hold for over 2 hours! He does still try to be independent. The assumption is that everybody can do everything online.
Rant over. I re-ordered them for him.

Indeed, the NHS and associated services is becoming inaccessible to many people without online access and skills. Predominantly, but, not exclusively the elderly. Equally irritating is that some of the software either does not work, and/or even the staff at GP Surgeries have little idea how to use it, and, even less idea how to advise patients how to use it.

The situations/has spread to the workplace and benefits, there is an assumption that even NMW workers and benefit claimants have access to smartphones to complete documents and submit them. I am told, by daughter No4 that applying for a job, including Agency work, is now almost exclusively an online exercise.

 

[Pblakeney]

I am told, by daughter No4 that applying for a job, including Agency work, is now almost exclusively an online exercise.

I was so fed up of receiving emails from agencies offering me positions having seen my LinkedIn profile which clearly stated that I was retired and not looking for work that I put "retired" wherever was possible.
I now get emails with "Dear Retired..." I swear the industry is using bots or complete imbeciles.

 

[Beebo]

I was so fed up of receiving emails from agencies offering me positions having seen my LinkedIn profile which clearly stated that I was retired and not looking for work that I put "retired" wherever was possible.
I now get emails with "Dear Retired..." I swear the industry is using bots or complete imbeciles.

My friend who is a recruiter says that his job has maximum 5-10 years left before everyone is dealing with AI recruiters.

 

[First Aspect]

My friend who is a recruiter says that his job has maximum 5-10 years left before everyone is dealing with AI recruiters.

Would anyone notice?

 

[Pblakeney]

My friend who is a recruiter says that his job has maximum 5-10 years left before everyone is dealing with AI recruiters.

Same could be said for any job which is predominately done on a PC.

 

[icowden]

Indeed, the NHS and associated services is becoming inaccessible to many people without online access and skills. Predominantly, but, not exclusively the elderly. Equally irritating is that some of the software either does not work, and/or even the staff at GP Surgeries have little idea how to use it, and, even less idea how to advise patients how to use it.

Bear in mind that this population is getting vanishingly small - hence the move. My mum is 82 and has alzheimers but can still use her kindle fire to play games and browse the internet.

The idea is that if you cannot do this due to age, learning difficulties, disability etc it should be easy for you to call up your surgery or outpatients department and they can go through the motions for you.

NHS staff will all have had training to use the software - if they cannot, then it's a competency issue and should be dealt with by management. That said, competency varies a lot between providers. My surgery is brilliant. Triage is fast, there is never a wait on the phones and they are very proactive. My previous surgery was a shootshow. They only put the form up for 20 mins every morning, had call queues of over an hour as well as face 2 face queues because they were so piss poor at using the system. Still are.

 

[briantrumpet]

Would anyone notice?

Rick Chasey might.

 

[Rusty Nails]

Rick Chasey might.

I demand proof that this Rick Chasey guy ever existed.

 

[BoldonLad]

Bear in mind that this population is getting vanishingly small - hence the move. My mum is 82 and has alzheimers but can still use her kindle fire to play games and browse the internet.

The idea is that if you cannot do this due to age, learning difficulties, disability etc it should be easy for you to call up your surgery or outpatients department and they can go through the motions for you.

NHS staff will all have had training to use the software - if they cannot, then it's a competency issue and should be dealt with by management. That said, competency varies a lot between providers. My surgery is brilliant. Triage is fast, there is never a wait on the phones and they are very proactive. My previous surgery was a shootshow. They only put the form up for 20 mins every morning, had call queues of over an hour as well as face 2 face queues because they were so piss poor at using the system. Still are.

If you think the population of “online paupers” is vanishingly small, then you move in very different social circles to me (that comes as no surprise).

 

[First Aspect]

Rick Chasey might.

I'm think high level headhunters who only recruit Very High Earners probably have a bit longer before they are replaced by AI. But I wouldn't want to be 10 years younger than I am and doing a role that's threatened by it, that's for sure.

 

[icowden]

If you think the population of “online paupers” is vanishingly small, then you move in very different social circles to me (that comes as no surprise).

95% of UK citizens over 18 can use the internet. Many years ago I was trying to train District Nurses to use Electronic Patient Records. We had a particularly recalcitrant group who barely seemed able to switch on the computer. My manager at the time told me - "they are faking it, they can all order an online shop from Tesco when they are on a break. I've seen them doing it..."