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The Government has said it will review its communications after it was slammed over the "ridiculous" decision to send out a letter inviting older members of the community to sign up to activities – using QR codes.
Using this form of engagement – which requires a smart phone or tablet with a camera – has drawn criticism from older people and Age Concern, who are concerned that using electronic forms of sign-up, payment and other everyday interactions are increasingly isolating islanders who predate the digital age.
Age Concern said it was another example of the "steady creep" of technology, making it increasingly difficult for older people to engage.
The letter was sent out recently and is for a ‘Closer to Home’ event for ‘over-55s and families" at St. Ouen’s Parish Hall on Thursday.
“Come along and take the opportunity to socialise over free tea, coffee and cake while finding out more about the community and charitable organisations that are available to you,” it says. “There are free arts and crafts activities and yoga to get involved in. Jersey Electricity will also be available to do Portable Appliance Testing on electric blankets.”
It then invites recipients to scan QR codes to sign up to the two activities.
This prompted one older islander, who did not want to leave her name, to comment: “I read the letter and thought the ‘scan me’ squares were utterly ridiculous.
“The event is clearly geared towards the elderly, and many of my friends don’t have smart phones or iPads. They have told me that they didn’t know what to do with the letter.
“It needs a phone number, address, or even email address to make sure that those without a smart phone can sign up."
“It does lead you to question: who is signing off these letters?” they added.
The Government said it acknowledged that it needed to engage with all members of the community, and it would review the use of QR codes and look to offer other ways of booking these types of events in the future.
Paul Simmonds of Age Concern said the QR codes were another example of an unnecessary barrier being put up for older people to navigate.
He said: “We have noticed a steady creep towards online and smart technologies. While it was understandable to eliminate face-to-face customer contact during the pandemic in favour of modern technologies, there appears to be an islandwide reluctance to return to practices which are comfortable for older people.
“Many older people do not have access to digital technologies or have been given time to adapt to this transformation, which, under normal circumstances would not be rushed through in such a short period of time and without some consultation.”
He added: “At a time when we and many other organisations are working hard to restore confidence in older people to return to normal life, it appears that many external agencies are making this transition very difficult.
“Our members are regularly facing communication barriers triggered by modern technologies – this includes Government, banking institutions, utility companies, retail and even hospitality, as face-to-face customer service and cash transactions become a thing of the past.”
Mr Simmonds added that new ‘smart’ parking bays - which can only be paid for using a phone app - was another example.
“Most of the banks are now only in town, so older people from country parishes who drive will not only need to travel to town but will have to navigate the many ways to pay for parking and if they need fuel on their way home, they will be hard pressed to find a petrol station that still takes cash," he said.
Responding to the letter for the Government, Paul McGinnety, Director of Local Services, said: “Although there is an increase in the use of smart phones across the island, we acknowledge we need to cater for all members of the community and provide a range of channels for people to sign up for our Closer to Home events.
“We will review the use of QR codes and look to offer alternative ways of booking these types of events in the future.
“Islanders can also register for the St. Ouen Closer to Home event via our website."
INSIGHT: How can we support people in Jersey to age well?
Express previously spoke to Rosemarie Finley, CEO of Family and Nursing Home Care, about the challenges for the elderly population and how we can better support islanders to 'age well'...
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