No, no Nevada: The Silver State Is Leaving Its Silver Citizens Behind

Nevada, I’m going to be hard on you because I know you can be better. Bigger. A true mecca for meaningful technological impact. But after digging into some of your intake processes for some of your state agencies - because something was brought to my attention - I took a deep dive and what I found is unacceptable.

There should be a class action lawsuit for funneling seniors applying for Medicare and SSI into that circus of a website. When they try to get help in person, they’re pushed right back online. Do you understand the age demographic you’re dealing with? Because if you do, then the stress, delays, and barriers you’ve created feel intentional.

Let’s talk verification.

The authentication method using phone verification? It fails more often than it works. Because many seniors do not have cell phones even in 2025, or their phone is under a family member’s plan. I know this verification system well because I’ve worked with it. And it was always a problem for people over 64. The troubleshooting alone could test the patience of a saint, let alone someone already dealing with age-related tech challenges.

And before anyone says, “It’s just receiving a text message,” please kindly remove yourself from this conversation. The code does not always deliver because of the tech behind the process—full stop. I was genuinely shocked this was Nevada’s chosen method for identity verification for a particular age demographic.

Sure, you can tell them to go to the post office. Yay, options. But what if mobility is an issue? What if transportation is limited? What if their health doesn’t permit it? Open the funding and fix this. These delays are affecting seniors’ income and their healthcare, things they cannot afford to wait on.

And the application process? A whole different beast. You enter a date as the answer to a question, and suddenly the system reroutes you into applying for disability when you only wanted Medicare. Shame on you, Nevada, for sending our silver foxes down a maze with no clear exits, wondering, “How did I get here?” Even clicking the correct link doesn’t save you from the confusion.

Let’s bridge this tech gap.

Let’s train our youth and young adults to help seniors navigate the digital shift. Oddly enough, I think they have more patience and willingness to help than we give them credit for.

I would say “fix it, Jesus,” but our seniors need these fixes long before they meet their Maker.

Nevada lawmakers and decision-makers please contact us to address this concern.