iPad for elderly/dementia

Just came across this discussion and it is very TIMELY.

I have some ideas about an interface for the iPad Air that I would like to know how to find someone to build it for me? We take care of my mother in law and we are putting her into an assisted living facility (dementia).

I want to create a UI on the iPad that does about 4-6 things.

Automatically starts FaceTime when a call comes in from only her sons and daughter. NO other phone calls accepted unless added to the list by the family.

Has big buttons on the UI that says "Call Kelly" "Call Kyle" etc for when she wants to call her kids (again using FaceTime so she can see them)

Has a screen saver that shows the date, time, weather, a note from one of her children

A program that pops up a big reminder that says "Take your medicine" and logs it when it it clicked on by her to say ok.

Other ideas to come.

But, something simple and easy to use. The iPad will sit in a stand on the table or counter at all times. Not to be carried around.

Thoughts, comments and suggestions sought and appreciated.

Thanks

OG

I just stumbled across this post. I am an avid ipad and iphone user; I love them and use them daily. But, I purchased an ipad for a relative with alzheimers, and it was not the useful tool I had hoped. My main interest was video conferencing with family, to help the person keep in touch with children and grand children. I also thought it would be easier for reading the paper online (rather than on a laptop) and that I could sync with a remote calendar I maintained to create reminders of appointments and birthdays for her.

Alzheimers impairs the brain's ability to learn new information and new processes. I thought the ipad would be simple to learn, but was completely wrong. Even though the person was in early stages, she had no ability to learn the ipad interface. The touch interface was also a problem because her hands shake. She couldn't even remember where the home button was, although I think this was aggravated by the black-on-black design. The whole experience backfired in that it not only did not provide a positive experience, it was actually quite negative -- trying to learn the new tool but being unable to do so ended up stressing her out and getting her very embarrassed and upset. (I tried it over a period of time to see if repetition helped, but eventually gave up because she would become visibly stressed by trying to deal with it.)

So, it might be useful in some situations. But I just want to caution folks that it's not some tech panacea.

My girlfriend and I make an app called Postcards, aimed at the elderly, that lets them receive photos, videos and messages from their family. We only just launched but we have a few users in their nineties that are able to use it without difficulty, and a retirement home that specializes in dementia that's interested in getting it for all their residents. So it's not fully tested in this situation yet, but I'd love to have a conversation with any of the people on here about seeing if it helps. You can see how it works at www.postcardsapp.com - if anyone would like to discuss it please let me know at rich [at] postcardsapp.com. My own grandmother struggled with Alzheimers and it would be great to feel like something I've made might help others with that.

Thanks,

Rich.

Hi, I just came across all these discussion on development of apps/generations of iPad for older person. Am excited to see the forward development for the silver generation. Am also sourcing out for solutions or customization of iPads/tablets which can be use for older person who are home-bound, staying alone without caregivers most of the time. Am working in a Senior Activity Centre in Singapore. Hope that such development can be seen in Asia with relevant context. =)

re iPad for elderly/dementia

from your post 2.5 years ago:

"...Post-Graduate project ... creating an app for patients suffering from Alzheimer's"

What progress did you make on this app?

A dear friend of my is in early stages of AD. I'm a professor of IT at Seneca College where we have some resources for systems development. Before reinventing wheels, I've been researching and came across your post.

I am very interested in Jenna's work with iPads and people with Alzheimer's/dementia. The links she provides are no longer active and the last one posted in January, 2011. I would like to start up the discussion again, locate more resources and especially hear about experienes others might have. I would ulimately like to write a grant or otherwise convince administators at the nursing home where my Mom lives to purchase an iPad. Supporting documentation of success would be very helpful. Thanks for your help!

I know this is going to sound like blasphemy on a Apple site, but there is a computer designed especially with seniors in mind.

http://www.mywowcomputer.com/

It runs Linux, it has it's own software and doesn't need anti-virus or all that.

My mother is 87 with severe dementia (on most days) but she does love games. Word search games are her favorite and she also enjoys alpha tots and alpha math. These are not too difficult and more importantly they keep her engaged. She also finds Koi Pond amusing. Occasionally she will read a news article - but I do make the font size HUGE - go to settings to change it.

I recently discovered this thread and want to thank the contributors for the specific applications they provided. As a hospice social worker, I have begun to use this device with patients living with end stage Alzheimers. Is anyone aware of any research being done with this population and utilizing the iPad to engage and provide patients with support?