Provide Outstanding Tech Support for Your Own Grandparents

Tech support for seniors is not always easy for family members, luckily, our experts have three tips for keeping grandma happy and her computer running.

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Written by Staff Writer • Posted on Jul 15, 2015

Everyone loves their grandparents, but may not love being the on-call tech support for seniors in their family. Luckily, we have expert Technology Advisors who specialize in describing computer basics and solutions in an everyday language for the 55+ community.

We've put together some Tech Advisor tips for when you find yourself on the phone with Grandma or Grandpa:

Be patient and understanding

Technology has grown exponentially over the last 20 years, making the learning curve for anyone acquainted with smart devices recently quite steep.

Our grandparents mastered life’s daily tasks and careers without the use of an encyclopedia/map/instant communicator in the palms of their hands. Appreciate their non-digital know-how and perhaps trade your computer tips for Nana’s homemade dumpling recipe.

Skip the lingo and get to the point

Nothing is more frustrating than a computer that isn’t doing what you want, nothing except not understanding the explanation. Not everyone is a computer wiz so break down the root of the issue in a language anyone can understand.

If you’re stuck trying to simplify technology basics, try comparing a computer to a car. The hardware is the exterior of the computer and the software is the interior. Each rely on the other for overall performance, but have their own pieces and problems.

The motherboard is the engine of a computer. It holds the memory, hard drive, connection ports and CPU, or processor. Monitors are much like a dashboard- it displays what the operator needs to see to get where they’re going.

Computers need regular tune-ups and optimizations every three months, much like a vehicle needs an oil change. The tune-ups flush the system and removed temporary or unneeded files. A diagnosis serves as a full-body inspection, searching for problems and weaknesses.

Treat their computer like it’s your own

The cheap solution or easy way out can create more complicated problems later down the road. All computers deserve the best quality when it comes to prevention, protection and solutions.

Research is critical when selecting antivirus and malware protection. Bask partners with top-rated Trend Micro for it’s easily navigated dashboard, phishing protection, dangerous link detection, scheduled malware scans and much more.

Ask Gramps what he intends on using the device for to determine other needed software, such as backup, identity protection, browsers, office suites, etc.

Consider consulting an expert

Fast, friendly, 24/7 tech support for seniors may not be something you can commit to by yourself. Just like anyone learning a new skill, seniors appreciate coaching and guidance. Bringing in a professional technology provider does not mean you love Grammy less, in fact, we think it is the greatest gift you could give! Using an expert technician is safer than troubleshooting difficult issues yourself and gives your grandparents wider access to the support they need and deserve.

Bask is the industry’s leading expert in technology support services, which is why we were featured on the ‘How to Troubleshoot Over the Phone with Grandma’ panel this week at the 2016 WISPAPalooza.

Bask provides expertise on tech support for seniors at WISPAPalooza 2016.