I need guidance on using an i-pad with older people

This forum is really more geared toward technical questions.

Try demonstrating how easily you can access information using an iPad.

Search the internet using your favorite search engine for answers about other programs.

I am well over seventy and find my iPad very easy to use and it has changed my life! I do not go out much so it is my contact with the world.I think your idea is wonderful.

I would suggest visiting the Genius Bar at an Apple store and discussing this with them. You'll learn more in 30 minutes there than days on here.

John

Your idea is excellent. I am thinking of getting an Ipad for my mother. I would be interested in your charity or for any courses my mother could learn to use the Ipad. She is willing to pay for it

This would be great as the rest of my family and relations are all Apple users.

I went recetly to a local library to watch my mother try and learn on a PC on free Goverment funding PC course. With the complexity of not using a keyboard before and the number of icons on the screen plus the confusing mass of text on modern websites ... it is very daunting.

I'm not a qualified trainer however cutting out the Icons on the desktop and even selecting say user friendly sites to practise on would give people confidence.

No wonder people get put off. Lets hope Apple correct and transform the issues Microsoft have created in the world. Although I do know some experienced IT people find the swap from PC to Mac a challenge

Thank you

Matthew

Thanks Marian

I'm going to get my mum started on the ipad. My mum has never worked in an office so the keyboard route will only add another later of technicalities.

Kind regards

Matthew

Really think this one through. Could a netbook meet the requirements at a much cheaper price? For iPads to realise their full potential they need to be synced to a laptop or PC and that involves extra expense. Each have their advantages and disadvantages.

JohnPW wrote:

I represent a UK Charity that is considering rolling out the use of i-pads to older people who attend day centres so that when they are at home they can access, very easily, information about local services, activities, friends, family etc. I have so far concluded that an i-pad with a mobile contract should allow them unfettered access the Internet thus information and e-mails. It would not need another computer to piggy-back on nor a wireless router. Applications specifically tailored to older people who are living alone. I would like some guidance on the realities of persuading older people that the i-pad is not a 'computer' but merely a window to the world. I would welcome guidance on how to set up such a roll out programme, costs, pitfalls, unexpected advantages etc.Help !!?

I would try a few iPads first, may work for some just fine, others likely not at all.

Some of the drawbacks of the iPad for some seniors I've found are as follows:

1: can't scale the UI for their poor eyesight

2: touchscreen issues with colder fingers

3: UI has a lot of hidden and not clear cut references, lots of guessing, harder to learn

4: difficult to hold, no mouse, having to raise their arms to use, fragile device easily dropped.

5: some sites they use are not compliant, or use plug-ins the iPad can't use, like historical records, government sites and such designed for a desktop OS and a mouse pointer

Believe it or not, I've found Windows XP to be the best for seniors as they have had the most familiarity with it, but adopting to Windows 7 themed as close to Windows XP to be the most trouble free on newer machines.

Your results may vary and your learning level of the seniors you work with may vary.

Usually the ones are active will go out and buy their own iPad or computer they like, however with shut-ins your likely looking at doing everything for them and they are more interested in your company and may only feign interest. You'll find out the iPad is only being used while your there.

If you really want to help them, then give them something as close to what they already know how to use or others can assist to take the workload off you.

They mostly prefer a mouse, pointer and a keyboard over a touchscreen.

All I can suggest is s mixed approach, not all iPad and not all desktop computers, however you will find the desktop computers are considerably less headache, cost less , autoupdate etc., and break down less than a iPad.

You can set the desktop machine to do things automatically, it's always hooked to the power, the iPad needs to be charged, it needs this or that update and so forth.

Not knocking the iPad, and it can work for some, but likely not all.

I know as a young person it's tempting to think a lot of older seniors can grasp new technology as easy as the young, but a lot don't, it's a whole new different way of doing things and it's foreign to them, take them so long to learn they they don't want to bother.

So sometimes it's just better to give them something as close to what they already know, your trying to help them remain active, not torture them with every new technological gadget that magically appears on the market, is popular now but won't be 3 years from now as something newer is released.

You'll catch on soon enough who you can use a iPad with or not, unfortunatly a "organization" is thinking a global rollout, when a much more tailored approach is better.

I've hope I've made my point.

Good luck 🙂

That is very helpful and you haver made your point. With my mother it's a case she wants to connected to society and the family. I think it will be a challenge for her tp grasp the technology however she is a real trier so we will try a number of things.

Thank you

My experience has been just the opposite of ds store, most seniors easily adapt to the touchscreen interface, the layout of icons to do things and ease of use and lack of a need for multiple input devices. This is also why the iPad works so well with the autistic. At my 6 month oncologist visit yesterday, where I at 61 lower the average age in the waiting room a lot, spotted 5 different people using their iPads. The last one that came in was a gentleman of 85 who was busily playing one of the SIMs like games. He did not welcome my interruption.

My own mother who bragged extensively about never wanting a computer in her house had no problems learning to use my iPad and to browse photos, send mail etc, and she told anyone who asked she was not being hypocritical, the iPad was not a computer. She struggled to use my cousin's laptop with Windows XP to even browse some photos.

Same thing with the coffee shop I frequent, a large number of seniors or whatever you want to term them and they have no issues with the iPad or the iPhone and many of them came from the latter to the former.

As far as the other issues that ds store lists, it is not the fact that their finger is colder that is the touchscreen problem, it is that it is drier. Solution? Look around and you'll see a number of seniors with a stylus around their neck just like a lot of employees in Apple Stores.

Keep in mind that most of the argument ds store is making comes from his own current feelings regarding the iPad, Lion, etc.

I would suggest you keep your eyes open and go to the source, and you alread have some posts here from some "seniors" and ds store is not one of them. But go about in your community and look for seniors using iPads and ask them. For the most part they will greatly appreciate your interest and being asked for their viewpoint and chance to show their skills.

Message was edited by: deggie

Message was edited by: deggie

Keep in mind that most of the argument ds store is making comes from his own current feelings regarding the iPad, Lion, etc.

Negative, I work with large group of 20-30 seniors every two weeks on all types of various computers and devices, phones and touchscreens, from Linux machines to Mac's to Windows.

I did own a iPad and I did use Lion, until I was able to make some judgements if they suited my needs or not and the iPad didn't and Lion isn't ready yet in my opinion. It has no reflection on this thread.

I've been using technology long before Apple was a glimmer in Steve Jobs eye, I look at all of the factors and weight it's attributes and disadvantages, not exclusively through rose colored Apple glasses.

I only suggested based upon my extensive experience that the OP take a blended approach and poll each senior is a separate case, physically and mentally, before committing to just one blanket solution.

If all the seniors polled could adjust to a iPad, then that's just fine, but if not, then there is going to be trouble the overall objective will fail.

A simple Google search for "senior + computers" reveals several web sites that exclusively tailor computers for that senior markets needs.

Take a look and see why these solutions were enacted, the UI and text is bigger, the buttons are bigger, the UI is far simpler than a Mac even.

http://www.mywowcomputer.com/

http://bigscreenlive.com/

http://youcandoitcomputers.com/

The typical Apple fanboi/ fangirl response is anyone who thinks or can't shoehorn Apple technology must be "the enemy", that's just not the case.

Most forms of technology has it's "fanbase" of fanatical users, however the mature deliverer of technology needs to consider the individual recipients needs and desires if they are going to serve their needs adequately.

We will be reviewing after three and six months to conclude on progress and agree the next wave, hopefully. We are convinced that if it works with our first group that we will seek to distributre the next i-pads to only those who are living on their own and restricted in being able to get out much. If that works then we know we have cracked it.

That's a good approach, as your not 100% commited and the if the iPad's don't work for some then they can be moved to those who it will work better as you employ a alternate solution(s).

I commend your decision and wish you success in enrichng these people's lives much like I do.

Good Luck 🙂

As I said in my earlier post, I am no spring chicken, and this iPad is my first experience with the computer world ,and it's no problem to use. It's light, not complicated, and above all fun . I watch movies,read book,play games,send emails, store photos,shop,and so much more. It's one of the best things I have ever bought. I even did the last two updates without one single problem and my iPad is working perfectly all the time. Love it !

I love your 'trial run' idea. Because some will embrace and love it, others, not so much.

I do agree with people about including a stylus. Old arthtritic fingers might appreciate a finer touch. I'd say also a larger, chunkier case. Protect it from drops and give them something larger to hold onto.

As to apps, e-readers, solitaire, help loading family photos. Perhaps help setting up facetime or a chat program with family members. i have a mahjong game that I like to play. maybe hook the senior up to family facebook pages, etc.

Of course, the student teachers can help the seniors find their way around the app store and load it with what they like.