Technology suggestions?

[pnwmom]

I've just gotten my 83 year old mom an I-pad. Fingers crossed. She's not used to a touch screen, but she's been watching my sister use hers, and she wants her own. At first my sister wasn't wild about the idea because she was afraid Mom would have too many questions. For some reason she changed her mind . . . so wish us luck!

Also, her computer died a couple years ago. Rather than getting another PC -- which necessarily would have been different than the one she was used to -- I decided to get a computer specifically made for seniors. It's called a Telikin, and I've been really happy with it. Unlike other computers, only one window can open up at a time, so she doesn't get confused with a bunch of open windows on her screen at once. And it is what it is -- you can't add any software to it, which also means it can't get buggy. Maybe the best part is that for $10 a month she can have unlimited telephone support. So when she was learning it, she had telephone support to teach her everything. It only came in a desktop version, but that's worked out fine. She can't carry a laptop around anyway.

[mia]

1. Glad to know about Telikin.

Hadn't heard about it before. My parents are both 90 and are in an independent living facility.They would benefit from the intellectual stimulation that internet access would provide.

[pnwmom]

2. It really makes a difference. Mom enjoys sending email to her friends and reading the NYTimes

and other news.

She also really likes Facebook.

[politicat]

3. Roku for TV instead of cable or satellite.

The Roku remote is SO much simpler -- 10 buttons or fewer. With a Netflix subscription, it's almost unlimited viewing plus no commercials and few commercials disguised as programs. (Looking at you, Food Network and HGTV.) The lack of QVC and HSN are pretty big benefits, too. (And no Faux news, which isn't awful, either.) The lanyard on the remote is also useful, and with the PIN enabled, there are no surprise movie charges. (Apple TV is also excellent, and the remote is even simpler, but that remote is tiny and easily lost.)

My suggestion with iPads - a bluetooth keyboard. The onscreen keyboard can have a steeper than expected learning curve.

Also, technophobes or those with tremor/proprioception issues can find them daunting.

Audiobooks simultaneous with the book/ebook have long been a tool for reading disability; I don't know if there's any research into slowing cognitive decline, but it makes sense logically, and it sure can't hurt.

[pnwmom]

4. Thanks for the ideas!