This study explores the role of digital technologies in Romanian nursing homes, focusing on institutionalized older adults’ experiences, challenges, and opportunities. Despite the increasing emphasis on digital inclusion for older populations, institutionalized seniors remain largely excluded from these advancements. Through 13 semi-structured with residents, 10 unstructured interviews with formal and informal caregivers, and two years of participant observation (Feb 2021 – July 2023), this research examines how digital technologies are perceived, used, and ultimately discouraged in long-term care. Findings indicate that while some residents wish to engage with technology, institutional constraints, caregivers’ perceptions, and ageist attitudes reinforce a pre-digital environment dominated by television and telephone. The study also reveals a “long goodbye to the internet” – a process in which older adults, particularly those with dementia, gradually lose access to digital tools due to family and caregiver restrictions, infrastructural limitations, and cognitive decline. This research contributes to discussions on structural ageism, digital exclusion, and the ethics of care in institutional settings. It argues that digital engagement should not be seen as an extravagance but as a fundamental right that can enhance well-being, autonomy, and social connectivity.