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A few days ago, I was waiting at a chain pharmacy for a vaccination. Despite there being 5 people behind the counter, the chain required everyone to check in for their appointment by QR code, and that then required me to answer over again all the questions I had answered online when I scheduled the appointment. When I finally saw the nurse 20 minutes later, I had to answer some of these questions a third time. It was annoying for me, but the woman in front of me was older and absolutely could not manage the QR code. She had a smartphone with a camera but didn’t know how to use either the camera or the internet app and even with my help, she was shaking and about to cry. The people behind the desk just ignored her.
Then today, my elderly mother had scheduled a service person from Sears to fix an appliance for her. I was pleased she made the appointment and agreed to have it fixed without me or my husband being there. But she called me (while I was in the office in a meeting) in a panic because Sears now refuses to take cash or check and the service guy could not process a credit card either — except via QR code and my mom said it “just wouldn’t work” on her phone.
I figured out how to deal with it but sheesh. This new technology is not making things easier for customers.

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Yes, the paid parking using a QR code issue. My own small town has converted their parking to this (after being free for decades, then they went to coin meters, then coin/credit card meters, and now QR codes).

If anyone gets a ticket for unpaid parking due to the QR code issue, they should contest the ticket and show up in court and ask the judge how an elderly person is supposed to afford, then adapt to, technology, and make it to their appointments on time when they are already physically compromised? It's really shameful that cities are blowing over it's seniors this way. A search on Chat didn't turn up anything useful. Chances are the parking companies (or the police) won't turn up for the hearing, anyway. And if they do, they get to hear why this sudden move to technology is so discriminatory.
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Another thought about the QR codes - last year sis and her husband had a doctor apt downtown and when they parked in the lot discovered they needed to scan a QR code to pay. After trying for several minutes (of course there was no one to help) they had to give up because they were afraid they'd miss the appointment. A month later a ticket arrived in the mail. How is that fair?
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No it doesn't. DH is going to a new doctor. I get a text verifying the appt and a request to fill out an online form. I am sure it will take some time. It says if you can't do this, get someone to help you. I can do it but my husband has no idea how to any of this stuff. He is computer illiterate.

Our PCP is going portal. Now he has no VM, you have to sit on the phone till someone answers. DH has need to go to him a lot lately so I guess I will have to set up a portal. Problem...he has no email so uses mine. Then if I set up a portal, they won't except mine because its already been used.

I am with the woman using the QR code. I have tried and just can't get mine to work. Won't take credit card? I have PayPal and husband not too happy about that. But now I am getting people wanting Venmo.
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My adult son, with complex medical issues, and some accompanying varied cognitive consequences, has long had me fill out forms both online and in person at his various appointments, well, I should just say all his life. We recently had an appointment where he has handed an intake form (at a specialist he’s seen many times) To my surprise, instead of handing me the form, he said he wanted to fill it out. On the line that said “list all your medications” he wrote “you already know that” On the line that said what pharmacy do you use, he wrote “look where you already send my meds” and where it said, have you traveled outside the United States in the last 30 days, he wrote “that’s way too expensive” He handed in the form and not one person ever mentioned it at all. Really shows how unnecessary it all can be
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We don't have to like technology, but maintaining a basic level of digital ability is increasingly part of remaining independent.

For the poor elder in line at the pharmacy, businesses still have to provide accessibility for people with disabilities. Not that the elderly woman was disabled, but why wouldn't they just have given her the option to check in as if she was?

I've been going to a lot of orthopedic appointments lately. I make the appointment online. Then I get text reminders. Then it sends me a link to check-in online, which i do. But when I get to the clinic, they still ask me the same questions as the online check-in (especially my name and DOB). Then when the assistant takes me to the exam room s/he asks me that *again*. It's getting ridiculous. Sometimes they ask for photo ID.

Technology will always be advancing and implemented because it brings efficiencies, accuracies and other benefits to businesses. By time the Millenials get to be 65, there won't be a need for paper and pens -- even for the disabled.
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I've got a smart phone but my budget plan doesn't include data so you'd better provide free, accessible WIFI if you want me to use QR codes or to access your web page
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So true. And so freaking annoying. I refuse to go to a restaurant where I have to order from a machine on the table or worse yet, a menu and my phone! Puh leeze. I'd rather stay home.

I think if you tell the pharmacy people you don't have a cell phone, or tell EVERYONE you don't have one, other accommodations must be made. I get my flu shot at the doctors office.
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