Massive disagree. Most Linux distros are far far easier for people who just want the basic use case of loading a browser or playing a song.

I think you have this idea in your mind of Linux being this complex system where you need to open the terminal and be a hacker man. That's not what desktop Linux is like unless you're going for some niche neckbeardy setup.

If an old person had a PC with, say, Linux Mint, ChromeOS, or even Ubuntu on it, they'd almost certainly struggle far less than they would with Windows.

Windows is not easier. You just think it's easier because you're more used to it.