Caring for an elderly parent often brings obvious challenges, but this account highlights a less discussed one: constant tech support. The writer says that while caring for an 88-year-old mother was expected to be difficult, the biggest surprise was how much time now goes into helping her navigate digital systems.
After the death of her husband, the writer’s mother continued living alone in New York City and remained fiercely independent well into her 80s. That independence, however, has become harder to maintain as everyday tasks increasingly depend on phones, passwords, verification codes, and other digital hurdles.
At the center of the problem is two-factor authentication, which is meant to improve security but can also create barriers for older adults. For someone who once managed largely on her own, needing help with login codes and account access can chip away at a sense of autonomy and turn routine tasks into stressful moments.
The story points to a broader reality many families face: modern caregiving is no longer only about physical help or medical needs. It can also mean acting as on-call tech support, as aging parents try to stay safe, connected, and independent in a world that keeps moving more of daily life online.
