I believe that Christine Parkinson did not fully research her subject. As a recent retiree community staff nurse I am aware that many people’s lifestyle and income do not allow access to technology. On pensions and on benefit they simply cannot afford broadband, and if they are housebound, as many are, they cannot take a slot in the library to use the internet.
Many of my friends at our centre rely on help from others but cannot even afford a tablet. Physical and cognitive difficulties cannot be a barrier as the technology has advanced: so it is really about income, food and heating before technology.
Odile Goymour, by e mail
Do you think the government should be helping finance internet access for older people as they do with the television licence? Ed.
