Tech Support for Elderly Parents in Perth — Complete Family Guide (2026)

What seniors actually need from a computer (it's less than you think)

A common mistake adult children make: buying mum or dad a powerful laptop loaded with everything. Most Perth seniors we set up actually need 5 things, well configured:

That's 95% of senior computing. Configure the device beautifully for these five tasks and skip the rest. A 90-year-old doesn't need Microsoft 365.

iPad vs laptop vs desktop — which suits your parent

The safe-setup checklist — what to enable before they touch the device

Whether it's an iPad, Mac or Windows PC, do these before handing the device over:

• Set system font size to Larger (iPad/Mac) or Make text bigger 125-150% (Windows).
• Increase mouse pointer size and contrast (Accessibility → Pointer).
• Turn on Reduce Motion in Accessibility — less dizzying for seniors with vertigo.
• One strong, written-down password (use a physical card on the desk — not a Post-it on the screen).
• Enable Find My on Apple devices, or Microsoft Find My Device on Windows.
• Set automatic system updates — never make the senior decide whether to update.
• Install ad-blocker (uBlock Origin in Firefox; built-in on Brave or Safari).
• Bookmark the 5 sites they actually use; remove all other browser favourites.
• Pin only the 4–5 apps they use to home screen / dock; remove everything else.
• Email client default font 16pt minimum.
• Two-factor authentication on email and banking with phone code (not authenticator app — too complex).
• Add your phone number as a "shared contact" labelled "RING IF UNSURE".

Scam protection — the 5 lines of defence that actually work

The single biggest threat to a senior in Perth right now isn't a virus — it's a phone call or pop-up that convinces them to call a "Microsoft technician" who then drains their bank account. Our 2026 defence stack:

1. 1

   Caller-ID screening

   Register their landline on the Do Not Call register (donotcall.gov.au). On mobile, enable "Silence Unknown Callers" — legitimate callers leave voicemail.

2. 2

   Pop-up blockers

   uBlock Origin or built-in browser blocker stops 99% of "Your computer is infected" full-screen scam pop-ups.

3. 3

   The "RING ME FIRST" rule

   A sticker on the monitor: "Before clicking OK, paying anything, or talking to a tech, call [your name] on [your number]." Sounds simple. Works.

4. 4

   Bank scam alert

   Set up SMS alerts for any transaction over $50 on their bank app. You'll see suspicious moves in real time.

5. 5

   No remote-access apps

   Uninstall AnyDesk, TeamViewer, UltraViewer if any are present — these are the most common scammer tools. Use only one tool you've installed yourself.

If they've already been scammed, see our recovery guide for Perth victims.

Set up remote help so you can fix things from anywhere

The biggest stress of helping an elderly parent with technology is being 30 km away when they call confused. Set up remote support before something breaks.

Best 2026 options for Perth families

• FaceTime screen-sharing (iPad/Mac/iPhone) — built-in. They tap "Share my screen" and you see what they see. Best if everyone in the family has Apple.
• Microsoft Quick Assist (Windows) — built into Windows 11. They give you a 6-digit code, you type it in, see and control. Microsoft-signed, can't be impersonated.
• Google Meet screen-share — works on iPad, Mac, Windows, Android. View-only but enough for "click on the orange button".

Whichever you choose: set it up, walk through it together once, and tape the instructions to the front of the device. Don't install third-party remote tools (TeamViewer, AnyDesk) — those are also the tools scammers ask for.

Training — how to teach a senior parent without frustrating them

• One thing at a time. Teach only "open email" today. Tomorrow, "reply to email". A week later, "send a photo". Anything more is overload.
• Write down the steps as a checklist they can refer to. Avoid screenshots in printed instructions — they go out of date with every update.
• Use the Notes app on iPad/Mac as a shared family notepad — you can update instructions remotely as things change.
• Repeat without sighing. Each repetition strengthens the memory. The 7th time is no different from the 3rd in their mind.
• Praise, then correct. "Yes, that's right — and the next step is..." beats "No, you've done that wrong."
• Outsource the frustration — family tech help often turns into family conflict. A patient outside Perth tech (us, or a community service) can be calmer.

For structured Perth-based training, see our tech help for seniors service — 1-hour at-home sessions in plain English at flat-rate pricing.

What to outsource to a Perth tech (and what to do yourself)

Outsource (worth paying for)

• Initial device setup — one careful 90-minute job saves years of small problems.
• Setting up email + bookmarks + accessibility correctly the first time.
• Scam recovery — if a scammer has been on the device, get a tech to do a full check.
• Annual "tech health check" — one visit a year keeps everything updated and tidy.
• Network upgrades — strong WiFi in mum's chair is the difference between using the iPad and not.

Do yourself (don't pay for)

• Ongoing day-to-day questions — that's just family.
• App downloads — if from the official store, safe.
• Replying to emails / video-call setup — muscle memory takes time, that's normal.

Tech emergencies — when something has gone wrong

If you get the call — "Mum thinks she's been scammed" — in this order:

1. 1

   Tell her to do nothing on the device

   Don't shut it down (sometimes erases evidence). Don't click anything else.

2. 2

   Call the bank's fraud line

   24/7 numbers on their website. Block cards if money was sent.

3. 3

   Disconnect from the internet

   If a remote-access scam was in progress — pull the WiFi router plug or turn off the device's WiFi.

4. 4

   Change passwords

   For email and banking, from your device, not hers.

5. 5

   Book an urgent on-site visit

   With a Perth tech to scan, audit and clean the device.

6. 6

   Report

   To Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) and ReportCyber (cyber.gov.au).