What is the best device to buy for an older person with arthritic hands who only wants to use email?

One more point of view here.

First, I have arthritis and I am an experienced techie. Some readers may be surprised that Not all those with arthritis are elderly or inexperienced with tech. As such, I would like to offer advice that you should think about whether your friend will use the iPad exclusively while seated at a desk or table. One of the nice features of an iPad is being able to read your email or watch a video while slumped on a comfy couch. If that is a possibility, I would recommend against the iPad Pro 12.9 inch. I had one and had to sell it because with my arthritis it was too heavy to hold for long and too unwieldy to hold with one hand while I type. I now own the newer and much lighter 10.5 inch iPad Pro and it’s much more manageable.

Also, I wouldn’t pay much attention to the original intention to only use the iPad for email. My 86 year old Mother-in-law, who has Parkinson’s, got an iPad when she turned 80. She had no past experience with any kind of computer but wanted to learn to use email. A few years later she was not only using email, she was taking selfies and posting them on Facebook, where she regularly harasses her grandkids if they don’t Facetime with her as often as she likes.

The special assistive features of the iPad can accommodate all kinds of physical challenges, like slowing down the touch requirements for someone with Parkinson’s or zooming the screen for visually impaired.

I highly recommend it.

Best regards,

Chris

Not sure of your budget for an iPad, but the iPad 5th generation is the best for price and all around iPad performance.

https://www.apple.com/ipad-9.7/

This iPad model has most of the modern iPad conveniences.

Typically, an iPad is very friendly for older folks: the screen size is large enough to read, it's portable, and works just as well at the kitchen table as it does in the lawn chair out back.

From a financial perspective, iPad is very pricy. If the screen size is not an issue, you can use the e-mail function just as well with an iPod, and save a ton of cash in the process.

Another issue to consider is whether you already have an internet service provider. If not (or if it isn't something that you want to continue paying for) an iPhone or an iPad with cellular may be a good choice.

If said older person has access to an occupational therapist, you might want to check with them. Different people, even with the same disease, have different abilities and comfort levels. Keyboard preferences, especially, can be very hard to predict. If this person learned to touch type, they may find the on screen keyboard on an iPad daunting. They may be more comfortable with real keys so, even if you go with an iPad, you may want to think about external keyboards.

How comfortable with modern tech is this person? iPads can be a leap for some people. For others, they aren't really computers so the seem easier.

Another thing to keep in mind is that if the person is older, they may also have vision problems. If possible, take them to an Apple Store and let them experiment. Try to go earlier on a weekday when it may be less crowded and noisy. Both of those factors can make things seem more intimidating than they might otherwise.

Also to consider, from the POV of a person that handed my old iPad down to my mom....in some ways you may need to treat them as a child....by that I mean be willing to help them set it up, teach them how to use it, be their tech support etc.

My mom was not tech savvy, the only way she remembered how to copy and paste was when I’d write it down for her and even after that she had issues distinguishing between ‘navigate and attach’ vs ‘cut and paste into the box’....so the person’s tech savvy and willingness to learn can play into it. If you get them an iPad you will need to guide them through setting up an apple ID, using a itunes gift card or credit card or going without one, and other things. You may also need to assist them when there are software updates or backing up the device. THat would probably apply no matter what you get them. So I agree with getting their input from the beginnning.

THe more comfortable they are with it and the more they buy into it the more likely they will have the interest to really embrace the idea.

If they have internet all the time, as much as I don’t like them, you could also look into a chrome book. Something that, I don’t believe anyway, really needs to be updated beause so much of it is in the cloud/on the internet.

NOt an option if you dont’ have consistent and good net, but maybe something to look into if they need a keyboard.

My advise is an iPod Pro since it works inside and out with the display. If they have WiFi save a bit and do not get with Celluar. If cost is a consideration purchase from Apple Refurbished. If near an Apple Store they are a huge plus in setting up and training, great patience from the staff. The 12" iPod Pro is nice on the overall size.

Stuart423 wrote:

From a financial perspective, iPad is very pricy. If the screen size is not an issue, you can use the e-mail function just as well with an iPod, and save a ton of cash in the process.

The 32 GBs 2017, 9.7 inch screen iPad 5th generation is the cheapest iPad Apple has ever made to date.

New iPad models are coming this year. Might be even cheaper iPads coming!

mdhurst wrote:

My advise is an iPod Pro since it works inside and out with the display. If they have WiFi save a bit and do not get with Celluar. If cost is a consideration purchase from Apple Refurbished. If near an Apple Store they are a huge plus in setting up and training, great patience from the staff. The 12" iPod Pro is nice on the overall size.

You are recommending an iPad Pro to an elderly person who just wants to use a tablet just for email?

And EVEN recommending the large and fairly heavy (nearly 1-1/2 pounds) 12.9 inch screen iPad Pro for an elderly person to handle?

iPad Pros, even the 1st gen ones, are still pretty expensive, even refurbished ones!

A refurb 2nd gen 12.9 inch screen, 64 GBs iPad Pro is nearly $700 U.S.D..

NOT very good advice.

A new, 9.7 inch screen, 32 GBs iPad 5th generation is the cheapest priced iPad at $329 U.S.D..

A new 9.7 inch screen,,128 GBs iPad 5th generation is less than $500 U.S.D. at ONLY $429.00 U.S.D.!!

The next price point up from the iPad 5th gen. is an Apple refurbished 10.5 inch screen, 64 GBs. iPad Pro at $549 U.S.D.

That’s not a bad price for an iPad Pro, but it’s still a $500 bill plus.

Maybe the OP doesn’t want to spend over $500 for an iPad model!

Something else to think about....even the best nursing homes can have issues. Other residents, staff....bear in mind that anything you get for her could grow legs. That would, in my opinion, rule out an iPad pro.

If all she wants is email you may look into a cheaper android tablet or kindle (I think there are ones that do email).

Something that’s a little bit less attractive to the less honest in the world....and a little less painful to lose if the worst happens.

An iPod Touch or cheaper priced iPhone may have too small a screen for someone with poor eyesight to look at and read regularly.

An iPad, even an iPad Mini offers larger screens that make email easier to read and write.

You may have to consider purchasing a seperate Bluetooth keyboard or keyboard style case for whatever iPad model you end up purchasing.

Some people find iOS onboard keyboards hard to use.

Good Luck to You!

You could check out dictation. There should not be too much typing. You can look into a stylist. You may not need to be as accurate.

How to Use Voice Dictation on the iPhone and iPad

There is also voice control. Maybe it's expanded by now.

http://atmac.org/iphone-voice-commands

My mom like to play games with her ipad. I think once she gets her ipad she will find other uses for it... games, playing music [head phones] and watching video.

R