Computers for Seniors

[Seahawk]

No, not me

My MIL expressed an interest in getting a laptop/tablet when she was over last week. She is in her 80's with early dementia issues.

So I started a search this week and was a bit surprised at the amount of gear and software out there for seniors. Probably shouldn't have been:

https://birdsonglife.com/

https://www.grandpad.net/

https://silveractivities.com/silverpad/

Does anyone here have and practical experience in this area? She can afford whatever she wants but my concern is that if we go specialized and she doesn't take to it, then we have device that no one will use.

I have been thinking about Surface Laptop and getting elder friendly software or loading the "safe version". My wife loves her Surface and would have an extra should the MIL not stay interested.

Any advice is appreciated.

[craigster59]

I just bought a new MacBook for me and an iPad for the Wife. She loves her iPad, doesn't want a laptop.

I'm the exact opposite, love laptops hate tablets.

I'm thinking an iPad would be best. I remember reading Steve Jobs book, he had taken an iPad prototype down to Brazil on vacation and was sitting on the beach when a 4-5 year old boy wandered up. The kid was poor and was fascinated with the iPad so SJ handed it to him.

When he saw how quickly this young, tech illiterate boy was able to interface with the tablet he knew he had something. Not saying your MIL is a simpleton but it might be easier for her to jump right in and join the internet world.

Right now Costco has a sale on both MacBook for $1k and iPad for $450.

[fanaudical]

I have previously tried to get my mom (86 and as tech-unsavvy as they come) interested in some kind of computing device. She liked a tablet better than laptop but still found it too difficult to use consistently.

There are some Android TV's out there that will accept a Bluetooth wireless keyboard. Many of those will run a web browser and light e-mail application (and you can do a lot with that). That may be an option if you don't need portability.

If a senior asked me for a laptop and wasn't sure he/she was going to use it, I would look to find something gently used, load it with Linux Mint, turn on the auto-updates, and set up a desktop with large font and just a few key applications on big icons.

EDIT: Just found this:

http://www.eldy.eu/about-us/

This looks to be a Linux distro specifically for seniors. Looks to be able to run on an older laptop. It is published in Italy so expect instructions to be "interesting"...

[GH85Carrera]

My MIL is about to turn 90. She has two iPads and would fight you to keep them. For her it is ideal, as it operates mostly like her iPhone. She is no wiz with it, but it is intuitive, and she can order from Amazon, stream movies, do email, and send photos. She has pretty much stopped using her computer. She does have one advantage is her son, has two boys and they all use iPhones. Plus my wife would put up a major fight to keep her iPad and she is pretty savvy with her iPad and helps her mom when she has questions.

The one thing my MIL loves the most is reading books on her iPad. Our metro library has an app and residents can log in, and download books for free. She spends many hours per day reading and it cost nothing but the electricity to charge up the iPad. She is even to the point she does not like a real book, as the page turning is not just a tap on the screen to change pages and you have to use a book mark when you put it down.

And get the Apple cover with keyboard with it. It is the best screen cover and well designed keyboard.

[Seahawk]

Interesting.

I have an older iPad I'll start her with this coming Sunday when she comes out. I'll also look at the TV angle. Thanks!

The MIL is about as computer savvy as a wooden shoe so we will start there.

Thanks and any other advice is appreciated.

[Rot 911]

Another vote for an iPad. It’s tough to screw up an iPad. Also difficult to accidentally download a virus. And if she gets lost, all she has to do is hit the home button to get back to the main menu.

[Cloggie]

I gave my 95 yo mother an iPad a few years ago.

I configured it to do very few things, basically just YouTube and Safari, locked it down pretty tight, gave her a Jabra to use as a speaker/microphone and all is well.

She checks out Nederlands Zingt en attends her church services online, plus we FaceTime every day.

It's been great and she has been effusive about how it changed her life for the better.

D.

[wdfifteen]

[Cajundaddy]

My mom had a simple email device she used for a while. She had dementia and while we got her an ipad to exchange photos and keep in touch , she was never able to learn it. At some point the ability to learn new things just fades away and they have to stick to what they already know.

[stomachmonkey]

I’d go 12 in iPad.

2nd choice would be the Surface because of its tablet like build, touchscreen, and tablet mode.

You know i’m a Mac junkie but the Surface is a great little bit o kit, i really wish Apple made something like it.

My primary knock on it is the proprietary charging port otherwise nice piece of gear. I have one myself and sent my kids off to uni with one each because it’s great for in class use.

Get the ipad, load it up with apps specific to her interests.

If she likes the news or articles toss Flipboard on there or get the Apple all in one subscription. Add her in your family account so it’s one cost but you all share the services.

[GH85Carrera]

If you set her up with an iPad, be sure to set up an Apple iTunes account with a password you control. Tie it to your account.

[Alan A]

My MIL is 80 and is now starting the decline…
She’s had an iPad for 5-6 years. It’s the only thing she will use.
Laptops, desktops, phones all sit there depreciating. The iPad is on all day.

Edit. She’s had multiple iPads, not one. You get the idea..l

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

If you set her up with an iPad, be sure to set up an Apple iTunes account with a password you control. Tie it to your account.

Is iTunes still a thing?

[stevej37]

For $100-$150...a Chrome laptop is prob the easiest, most durable computer for a senior.
No start-up...just open the top and it's ready to go.
No updates to do...it's all done automatically in the background.
Will do most anything a senior might need.

My last one is a 11.6" HD Lenova for $118 on Amazon.
Works great.

[stevej37]

No pop-ups or scams with a Chrome laptop either.

[island911]

I'm a Surface pro guy, bought one for my elderly mother, but I expect that an iPad will be less frustrating for someone with dementia.

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

...

My primary knock on it is the proprietary charging port ...

The last few gen's charge with either the proprietary conn or with the ubiquitous USB-C port.

[Alan A]

Originally Posted by stevej37

No pop-ups or scams with a Chrome laptop either.

Requires a google account and it’s a pain to administer.
I wish I could wean the youngest off his.

[rfuerst911sc]

My MIL is 90 and well on her way down the mental decline highway ☹️ . She has had various laptop computers over the years and still has one . But now it's just to play solitaire on . But that is still some mental stimulation .

[Racerbvd]

My 85 year old Mother has an i-mac, i-pad and MacBook light, does well with all and really likes, uses her iPad. You might check her out on a iPad.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

My MIL is 90 and well on her way down the mental decline highway ☹️ . She has had various laptop computers over the years and still has one . But now it's just to play solitaire on . But that is still some mental stimulation .

Don't feel bad. I can't tell you how many times I've gone over to Mom's and there she sits in front of her desktop playing Solitaire.

She also uses it for email, but over the past year especially her emailing skills have severely eroded.

I'm just grateful she doesn't try to go onto the www for any reason.

She turns 100 next month....so I am grateful she is still with us.....