easiest tablet for elderly mom

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does she have a computer? Has she ever used a computer? What type of cell phone does she have? If she doesn't even have a computer and isn't proficient with swiping on her cellphone, then I wouldn't get her an iPad, Kindle or anything else.

I would get her an all-in-one Inspiron desktop computer from Dell. It will have a large monitor, there is no separate hard drive frame, she can use a keyboard and mouse. You can set it up as a touch screen but frankly if she is totally technology illiterate then the swiping and typing on the screen will be very, very frustrating for her. She will find it much easier to use a mouse and a keyboard.

My frame of reference: my 85 year-old uncle retired last year. Up until his last day he had a secretary who printed out his emails and to whom he dictated his email replies. He is a -very- smart man; however, the swiping concept drove him to no end of exasperation. He also had a hard time holding the iPad, the Kindle, and the ChromeBooks (yes, we tried them all). What we found was with these various smaller devices he had difficulty using them without his fingers getting all over the screen and causing chaos to ensue when he ended up in the wrong place. Now he sits at his desk, looks at his emails, does a little online shopping and we Zoom like crazy. He also prints up a storm which is a side benefit we didn't consider because he loves paper copies. On the computer screen I have hidden all of the icons he finds annoying and I even set up different browsers for different actions so that all he has to do is click on the specific browser icon to go to email or to go to Zoom for example. I also installed a Share app so I can go to his computer remotely and help if he gets in a jam.

I hope you find this helpful. Good luck!

Hi, this is super helpful. Which share app do you use?

[Anonymous]

We are using GoToMyPC. The other one we looked at was LogMeIn. They are expensive (over $300 annually although I can't remember the exact amount) and there are cheaper ones out there. I read somewhere that GoToMyPC and LogMeIn are owned by the same company so I'm not sure why the pricing is different.

If you do a search for other software then use the terms "remote access software." There are some programs with a lot of bells and whistles but those are for corporate use. Look for the ones that are for 1:1 use or where the use is by the family tech geek who is bailing out the other family members. Some of the programs have a free trial period with no commitment to buy so if you get your timing right then you could conceivably use the software for a one week or one month free trial, make sure your mom is set and then cancel.

I went with the one that I figured he would find easiest to respond to when I need to come in. It has been a game-changer though in his quality of life and my sanity so the cost is completely worth it in my mind, especially because he is in an independent living facility and they are on lock-down right now. This is how he is keeping in touch. The other day I had to buy a new printer for him. It was delivered to his facility, the staff brought it to his unit out of the box and then plugged it in. I was able to log in and make sure it worked properly after he turned it on ( ) so now he is happily zooming and printing and staying active with his friends online. I am sure FaceBook has seen a huge upsurge in use now that he is posting and trying to friend every person he has ever known!

[Anonymous]

Also you may want to post on the Technology forum. There are a lot of super helpful people on that forum. They may be able to recommend a better and/or less expensive app. My back was against the wall because my uncle was feeling so frazzled and that was getting me upset. I tend to do a search and buy the thing that solves my problem the quickest. You may have a little more time.

[Anonymous]

My mother is in her 70s and used the Ipad

[Anonymous]

Thanks all. OP here. I've been researching the Grandpad and really like what it has to offer. I think it's perfect for her situation.