Elderly person's use of iPad

My mother is 84 and has struggled with computers for decades. She has tried Macs and PCs, but has not enjoyed using any device to access the internet until now. On Monday, my mother received her iPad (16g/3G). It would be accurate to say that her experience with this new device has been transformative. For the first time, she can easily get her email, surf the net and, more than anything, read books. My mother has arthritis and holding large hardbound books or floppy paperbacks has been a struggle. With the iPad she can get the latest New York Times best sellers in 15 seconds and turn the pages with the waive of her hand.

If you know anyone who is elderly and is an avaid reader - or a frustrated would be netsurfer - encourage them to get an iPad. It will change their lives.

Dave

iPad

Posted on May 13, 2010 12:12 PM

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17 replies

May 17, 2010 5:53 PM in response to Son of elderly parents

This is one of the main reason I purchased ipad, for my mother-in-law (in her mid 60s). She has always been turned off by computer due to her inability to use mouse and keyboard. Manipulating the mouse was awkward for her and following the "tiny" cursor is difficult on her eyes. So when a device that came along that is designed to make the "hardware" disappear, she is the first person I thought of.

"Miracle device" is what she call ipad now.

Jun 13, 2010 9:02 AM in response to oakvillejeff

her audiobook options are shrinking everyday


While an ipad might be a good thing, hasn't she signed up at the library for the books on tape thing? They will give her a big clunky player designed for people with low vision and then she can have the books sent to her home (this is a totally different catalog than the library itself has). Many titles available through this service. If you haven't been in touch with the low vision groups in your area, please do this. They have a great many things that can help make life easier (my mother had macular, too).

Jun 13, 2010 9:12 AM in response to red555

red555 wrote:
sic0198 wrote:
I'm 26 and I have fredrick's ataxia and I am gonna get one too, I think it will make surfing the net a better and easier experience for me.


One good thing to do is, if you have access to an Apple Store in your area, test drive an ipad for a little while.




The only problem is an apple store is too far away, so I think I'll have to buy it online without giving it a try first (which I don't like doing) fortunately I have watched video after video on Ipad and read many reviews.

Message was edited by: sic0198

Jun 13, 2010 9:51 AM in response to sic0198

A test drive would have been nice, but I noticed in your system info, you have iphone listed, so you are very familiar with the interface and browsing. The ipad is easier than the iphone due to the increased display size. Also, you can pinch-zoom in for greater detail.

Do you have a PC or mac to use for activating and syncing the ipad?

Jun 13, 2010 10:14 AM in response to red555

I have the IPOD TOUCH, same OS though.

Anyway I had intention when I bought my IPOD (April) to use it as a preview of IPAD (since Ipod is similar to IPAD) if I didn't like it I'd only be out $200, didn't care much for typing on it (I can do it though) but I love everything else about it. I've read everything I can find on it and watched every video I could find on it (in some cases twice)

So I've done my homework on it. My impression is that it is for me and it will be worth my time and money.

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Elderly person's use of iPad

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