We think we have mastered the passwords of a convenient society, but what about the elderly?
Due to a visa requirement, I went to the bank this afternoon to obtain a deposit certificate. Prior to this, I had already submitted an application through mobile banking, but when I called the bank branch to confirm my appointment, I was informed that the deposit certificate could not be downloaded and printed; I needed to bring my ID to the bank counter.01 The ones queuing at the bank to deposit and withdraw cash are all elderly people
The small bank lobby was packed. A bank manager, with the help of security, patiently guided everyone to take a number and wait. My number was0621, and there were14 people ahead of me in line.
I quietly observed that most of the people waiting on the benches in front of the counter were elderly with gray hair. Without exception, they were all depositing or withdrawing cash: depositing5000 yuan, withdrawing10,000 yuan, exchanging3000 US dollars for RMB to deposit in the bank, withdrawing6000 yuan… After completing their transactions, the elderly would still consult the staff with a few questions: “How much money do I have left in my account?” “What is the current interest rate for savings accounts?” “Can I have an envelope to hold my cash?”…
These questions seem easy and accessible to younger people. Moreover, the automatic teller machines outside can also handle small cash deposits and withdrawals quickly and efficiently. Furthermore, many of us have already become accustomed to online payments through Alipay and WeChat, and we hardly touch cash in our daily lives—however, for many elderly people, this is like a series of barriers they cannot cross. They continue to use cash in their daily expenses in the traditional, habitual way.
The promotion and use of new tools and technologies only consider the majority who can quickly adapt. The pace of change is too fast, and the elderly are often the most easily forgotten group. Some of them may simply not have mastered the use of smartphones; or they may not have or feel secure about using online banking… As a result, they become isolated from online payments.
With the advent of automatic teller machines, the number of human counters at banks has been decreasing, leading to more elderly people queuing together; in nearby supermarkets and markets, there are still human cashiers, allowing the elderly to shop with cash. However, this city has seen a surge of unmanned vending machines and stores. As for shared cars, ride-hailing, online ticket purchases, and online shopping… without family assistance, many elderly people have been left out of the user base.
02 Imagining another possibility when I am old
In the evening, my teammate and I drove to the supermarket, chatting casually along the way. My teammate mentioned that he has recently noticed signs of presbyopia and suggested that it would be best to switch to an electric car with autonomous driving features to help identify dangers on the road; I, on the other hand, am particularly interested in household smart robots, thinking that in another twenty or thirty years, when I am old, it would be great to have a robot at home that can not only help with chores but also serve as a family doctor. From the current technological developments, the possibility of this wish coming true seems quite high.
As we talked, we became more excited, and my teammate even envisioned: when we are old, we won’t have to stay cooped up at home all day; we could drive an electric car with smart driving capabilities, exploring this city and that city, and every time we go out, we could take our robot along, givingit a seat, and when we get in the car, it can charge directly. We would just need to tellit a destination, and all the information about the destination would be collected and organized for us in real-time, and once we arrive,it could immediately perform functions as a guide, protector, and health assistant… definitely more useful than a son who is always busy with work.
As we imagined, I suddenly asked a question: “When the smart robot is delivered to our home, will we, as old folks, be able to understand the instruction manual?” Instantly, both of us fell silent.
The tide of the times carries us forward. In our middle age, we still have the courage to shout, “Embrace change.” But we will also grow old one day; will there come a day when our cognitive abilities decline, our thoughts become conservative, and we lose curiosity about new things, with an “unreadable” instruction manual making us hesitate?
Perhaps, only mutual effort can be the key to breaking the spell.
On one hand, as we gradually approach middle age and old age, we must maintain our passion, continue learning, and stay curious, striving to ensure we do not fall far behind.
On the other hand, the world could be a bit more patient, a bit more patient. More down-to-earth popular science explanations, and more hands-on training specifically for the elderly, would allow more elderly people to enjoy the convenience and warmth brought by the development of the times and technological progress.