Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Think of the iPad for Your Elderly Parents, Boomers

I know that many Baby Boomers are still in the sandwich generation, caring for loved ones who now are elderly. It's been interesting to me to find out that some of us are using technology to enhance the quality of life of older people whose minds might be shining as brightly as ever, but who have some physical limitation that keeps them tethered to home or even in a nursing home.

In the past, it was difficult to envision packing mom or dad's expensive and fairly heavy laptop with them to go to assisted living, and impossible to figure out how to get Internet access for the laptop. However, with the advent of the iPad older people are bringing their connections to the outside world inside with them.

I recently watched a YouTube video and a news report showing a 99 year old woman with glaucoma rediscovering her love of reading and writing poetry using an iPad which lets her see the letters because of the contrasting screen. I also had been following some posts on the Boomer social networking site eons (www.eons.com) by a devoted daughter, screen named Techie44, who wanted to keep in touch with her 94 year-old mom even though the daughter would be spending the winter many miles away. I contacted Techie44 and asked if I could share her story and she graciously agreed.

In the beginning, Techie44 wasn't sure if the iPad would work for her mom, but she thought that her mother, who has rheumatoid arthritis and is in a nursing home, might be able to master it. I read through Techie44's posts as she weighed the pros and cons of getting what was then a brand new device for her mom. One thing was telling, however. Her mom was already familiar with email and wanted to have her email with her in the nursing home.

After showing her mother the family's iPad and how it worked, Techie44 ordered one for her with Wi-fi and 3G and set up her mother's email accounts to sync with the iPad. She also sent her mom some email so she could practice replying. Thinking about what would make her mom happy, she also loaded the iPad with the Christmas and classical music that her mother loves and put in pictures of the family, as well as some photos of the family camping vacations, since that's what her mom used to love to do.

Significantly, Techie44 signed up for Apple's MobileMe, an application that keeps mobile devices in sync. This was suggested to her by one of the other eons posters and it turned out to be very important. The iPad is the kind of device that can be picked up easily and just "walk out the door" of a nursing home. MobileMe has a feature called "Find my iPhone/iPad" and if someone walked away with the device, it could let Techie44 know where it is.

In an email, Techie44 told me she put a sticker on the outside of the iPad notifying everyone that it could be tracked and that she demonstrated how she could track the device to the people at the nurses station. She also told them that she would prosecute if the device were stolen.  Although she didn't tell me this, I expect she was hoping word of mouth would spread, and anyone thinking of walking away with the device would be forewarned. She also took the added precaution of selecting a pass code her mom could remember, so no one else could borrow the device.

Now I've always contended that MobileMe should be free, and not the $99/year product it is, but I'm willing to say that in this case it's worth the money. An added benefit of  MobileMe is that Techie44 can link her mom up to a "cloud" photo gallery, and the family can update and add pictures to it  from wherever they are, without having to load them directly onto the device. This was also pointed out by another eons poster.


So how is it going? Techie44's mom has arthritis, so hitting all the right icons and keys on the iPad is somewhat of a challenge, but she is managing, and enjoying the device. She does most of her typing herself but an aide helps her type long letters.  She's listened to her music on the device, but had a bit of a problem figuring out how to shut it off. Thinking ahead, Techie44 showed someone at the nursing home the ins and outs of the iPad so they could help her.

In addition, Techie44 signed her mom up for the Facebook app, so now "Granny" can follow her grand nieces and nephews on the social networking site. She also downloaded an app called iFish Pond that will help her mom pretend she is sitting by a pond when the weather gets cold.

Techie44 says that she made the right choice in getting her mom an iPad. A computer would  have had to sit on a table and her mother would have had to deliberately go to it. The iPad is easy for her mom to carry with her, and the 3G wireless solves the problem of getting Internet access in a nursing home, something that could prove to be nearly impossible.

One last thing: Techie44 says that the iPad has made a tremendous difference in the quality of her mother's life. She is connected to relatives she hadn't heard from for years and looks forward to receiving her email and photos from her family.  You can't find a more ringing endorsement than that.

I know the post above makes it look like I endorse the iPad or that I'm employed by Apple, but I assure you I am not. I simply believe that this genre of tablet has opened up a new era of computing and is beneficial for society. Many, many tablets are coming into the market soon, but right now Apple essentially stands alone. If the upcoming Linux Android tablets are as easy to use as the iPad, as this author predicts, they too will gain traction with the elderly and will add to the societal goal of helping them stay connected.

22 comments:

Greg Katz said...

That's really, great. Isn't improving quality of life the ultimate goal of any technology?

Anyway, I have my doubts that the Android tablets will be as easy to use as the iPad.

Anonymous said...

The iPad certainly has some great applications for seniors, but I excited to see what Android comes out with. Thanks for sharing!

Become a Facebook fan for discounts on Baby Boomer products and more

Mayks said...

OK I was very weary on the purchase of an IPAD 2 for my older parents, this was supposed to be my mothers 70th birthday present,my dad has always shied away from technology so the thought of him ever using it was a distant thought. Also being migrants from Italy the thought of them using it was concern.
Well!!! Just after 1 week they have taken to it like duck to water, they love it! My father is hilarious, he is always on it to the point I am thinking of getting a second one because my mother is not getting to it ha-ha. I am a huge believer in android in fact i have an ASUS Transformer and love it, best thing ever built...but for simplicity the iPAD is the way to go with my parents....keeps their minds really active! FANTASTIC!

Anonymous said...

Hey! Quick question that's entirely off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My web site looks weird when browsing from my apple iphone. I'm trying to find a theme
or plugin that might be able to resolve this issue.
If you have any recommendations, please share.
Appreciate it!

my website motivation to lose weight

Anonymous said...

Hello mates, its wonderful post on the topic
of cultureand completely explained, keep it up all
the time.

My site - graduate certificate online

Anonymous said...

This article will assist the internet visitors for
building up new website or even a blog from start to end.


Here is my site: http://greenhost.ro/index.php?do=/blog/73886/web-design-mobile/

Anonymous said...

This post will help the internet visitors for building up
new website or even a weblog from start to end.



Visit my site; seo

Anonymous said...

Good day! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist
with SEO? I'm trying to get my blog to rank for some
targeted keywords but I'm not seeing very good gains.

If you know of any please share. Thanks!

Here is my web-site ... how to lose 10 pounds fast

Anonymous said...

Thanks for one's marvelous posting! I definitely
enjoyed reading it, you might be a great author.I will
always bookmark your blog and will eventually come back very soon. I want to
encourage you continue your great job, have a nice
day!

Feel free to visit my web blog: แทงบอล

Anonymous said...

Davidson is the founder of In the age of 39, after he
first discovered that he had Erectile Dysfunction, and began seeking for
treatment, he decided to make it easier for other men like himself to find the best
solution. Maca goes by "Peruvian ginseng" as well and actually
dates back to when Incas soldiers would consume the root before battle because it was thought
to provide them with stamina. Ask if there are any specials to
lower your rates, or possibly hint to friends
and family for gift certificates at gift giving time.

My web blog; Κώστας Καραφωτάκης

Anonymous said...

You have to click one of the links under References, or you can also use
a search engine to check your Internet connection. Keep practicing,
keep studying, and you'll have the coveted letters "CCNA"
behind your name soon. An additional problem is the rate of the connection to the internet.



Also visit my blog post :: Virtual Router

Anonymous said...

I am truly grateful to the holder of this web page who has shared this impressive
paragraph at here.

My web blog youtube.com atlanta dui attorney

Anonymous said...

Paragraph writing is also a fun, if you be familiar with then you can write if not it
is complex to write.

My webpage: asics running

Anonymous said...

My brother recommended I would possibly like this website.
He was once entirely right. This put up actually made my day.
You cann't consider just how much time I had spent for this info!
Thank you!

My blog :: sua dumex

Anonymous said...

You've made some really good points there. I checked on the web for
additional information about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this website.



my web blog: chandler locksmith

Anonymous said...

I loved as much as you'll receive carried out right here. The sketch is attractive, your authored subject matter stylish.
nonetheless, you command get got an edginess over that you wish be delivering the following.
unwell unquestionably come further formerly again as
exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this increase.


my weblog: Penjahat Kelamin

emergency help app said...

This article is great ...By the way, Looks like the predictions in the 1981 book by Joel Garreau "Nine Nations of North America" came true. You should read it (If you haven't) it's a great book.

Anonymous said...

Ӏ seldom cߋmment, but i dіd a few searching and wound up Һere "Think of the iPad for Your Elderly Parents, Boomers".
And I ɑctuаlly do have 2 queestions ffor you if you tend not to mind.

Could it ƅe just me or does it seem like some of tҺese comments comee across as
if they are written by brain dead people? :-P And, if you are posting at otɦer social sites, Ӏ'd like to ҡeep up with everуthing new you have to post.
Would you make a list of every one of your shared pages like
ƴour Facebokk page, tѡitter feed, or linkеdin profile?


Review myy site ... natural remedies for arthritis

Anonymous said...

What's up to every one, it's in fact a fastidious for me to go to see
this web page, it consists of precious Information.

Here is my weblog: webpage ()

Anonymous said...

I'm excited to discover this great site. I wanted to thank you for ones time
for this particularly fantastic read!! I definitely liked every part of
it and I have you saved to fav to look at new things
in your website.

My blog; nitric oxide booster

Unknown said...

replica bags hong kong best replica bags online 2018 replica evening bags

whoaseigh said...

learn the facts here now dolabuy original site replica designer bags wholesale our website dolabuy louis vuitton