Back in the early 80s, some people used home computers as seriously as they used work computers:

- organize follow-up reminders for business calls. Automate a modem-based upload.

- crunch investment options in commodities. Not in an econometric way, but a table listing which analyst said what and which analyst was silent. Automate a modem-based upload.

So, with regard to the article, we can presume the author did claw-like things with DOS. As he aged, now he probably needs to organize many trips to doctors and specialists. Who is doing all that administration for your older folks?