Somewhere along the line, I have developed achilles tendinitis. According to the Mayo Clinic website, the condition is the result of “an overuse injury.” I have no recollection of a single event that precipitated the condition, but after hoping the condition would go away on its own, I reported it to my family doctor, who had x-rays taken and then referred me to a physical therapist for treatment. The treatment is fairly straightforward. I have been given stretching exercises to do daily and will receive muscle massage twice a week for a few weeks. Full recovery is expected in about six weeks and the condition should not return as long as I stay in shape and warm up properly before activities such as running and walking.

It seems that my consumption of health care has increased as I get older. Since that is a well documented trend among people my age, I guess I shouldn’t complain and I should be relieved that it involves such a minor condition. There are plenty of folks my age who are facing far more severe health conditions. As explained to me by the physical therapist, my condition is relatively mild. Allowing the condition to go untreated could cause tears within the tendon, which would require more serious treatment. I count myself as lucky because I have both expert medical advice and good health insurance in addition to overall good general health.

In advance of my first appointment with the physical therapist, I filled out some online forms, provided a medical history and consent for my records to be shared with the physical therapist, and set up a patient account with the therapy providers. In the process I shared my email address and phone number. I wasn’t surprised to receive appointment reminders by text message. That is getting to be pretty common with health care providers these days. I also noticed that there was an option for online check in. I could either visit a web site or scan a QR code at the office door to check in. I opted not to do either, but instead speak with the receptionist to check in. I have no idea why one would choose to bypass the brief and pleasant conversation with the receptionist. I enjoy conversation. I would have found silence in the waiting room as we acknowledged each other’s presence without talking to have been awkward. I won’t be using the online check-in procedure in the future.

After my appointment with the physical therapist, I downloaded a mobile app for my phone that gives me access to videos to guide my exercises, learn more about my condition and to keep track of my exercises and progress with treatment. It is all on my cell phone, along with a whole lot of other information. I pretty much don’t go anywhere without my cell phone these days.

That experience got me to thinking about all of the places where a smart phone and access to the Internet are now being taken for granted. The physical therapy provider isn’t the only place where I encounter the assumption that everyone has access to the Internet. Living close to the border, I have been reading about the changes in the process of entering Canada now that covid restrictions are lessening. Tourist visits to Canada are now possible and the conditions required are changing. Currently those traveling to Canada must provide both proof of vaccination and proof of a negative Covid test to avoid being quarantined. On April 1, the Covid test results will no longer be required. However, it takes more than just having a vaccination card for a tourist to enter Canada. Travelers are required to use the ArriveCAN app or website before coming to the border. You have to upload the required documents less than 72 hours before arriving at the border. That means for folks who live a long way from the border, access to the Internet while traveling is essential. Not everyone is set up for access to the Internet, including the ability to scan and upload documents, while they are traveling.

Public libraries are excellent places to obtain Internet access. Most have Internet-connected computers available for public use as well as free wi-fi connections. Seasoned travelers also know how to connect to the Internet using cell phone signals.

It is getting harder and harder to perform some pretty routine functions if you don’t have a cell phone.

Along with the increase in medical conditions as I age, there seems to also be an increase in my irritation about technology, especially the rate of change. If we all have to have a cell phone, couldn’t they at least make a cell phone that doesn’t become obsolete every two years? Perhaps I’m just becoming more irritable and crotchety as I age. I don’t, however, want to become just a grumpy old man. My life isn’t that hard and the things I am most likely to complain about affect lots of other people. I haven’t been singled out by technology . Young people also have to deal with the challenges of rapid change.

For now, my plan is to keep learning about the changes in technology and try to make informed decisions about when to replace devices and upgrade software. I have been able to keep reliable wi-fi service in my home and I’m keeping my website functioning. But I will continue to look for opportunities when a conversation with another human being can take the place of using technology. I prefer to worship in person at the church rather than worshiping online from home. I’d rather go visit someone than make a phone call. And I am delighted to learn that I can avoid the online check-in process at the physical therapy place by simply walking in the door and saying “hello” to the receptionist.

Fortunately for me, even with all of the advances in telemedicine, they haven’t found a way for me to receive the muscle massage required for my treatment online. I’ll take that in person, thank you very much.