It’s the last tolerated prejudice. But Femail’s had enough. It’s time we called out those day-to-day moments when we’re patronised for no longer being young…
Apps are my favourite. Who, frankly, doesn’t? So it’s a real disappointment to read that doctors think us older folk are too doddery to handle them.
A recent Organisation for the Review of Care and Health Apps report found that while one-tenth of GPs recommend NHS-approved app to people younger than 35, one-in-five of them recommend the apps to those over 55 and one-in-five to 65.
Christa D’Souza (pictured), says that assuming older people can’t use their smartphones isn’t only patronizing, but it’s also dangerous for your health.
If you are in your 70s and haven’t been told by your doctor of this nifty tech method to remind you to take your pills and/or monitor your symptoms then that just proves the accuracy of these findings, doesn’t it?
Can I remind all you GPs who look like sixth formers that just because we are old enough to be your grandparents, doesn’t necessarily mean we are computer-illiterate. These apps aren’t medically reviewed. Instead, they force us to try one of the other 400,000 available.
Assuming we have no idea how to use smartphones is not just patronising, it’s dangerous to our health.