I recently received the following email regarding the use of an iPad:
Hi Bob, just needed to ask your advice on new technology.... first of all,
1.my mother is almost deaf-
2.she gets lots of phone calls- that she sometimes understands.
3.scared to death of technology- she is 86.
4.the phone rings at all hours for I have lots of substance abusers in my family that want her to console them.
Here is what i am thinking...
she may or may not be able to type cuz her wrists are bad- I think she can...
I want her to have a email program that she can send and read at her convenience...
I was thinking an ipad- but not sure if there is another product that would allow her to see when she has messages and answer them.
then there is always the question of whether she could speak and have it type the messages.
we have wifi so I would think that all we need is a product.
thanks for reading this Bob. I hope all is well with you and Sharon and the boys.
After some thought I responded:
My limited experience with 86 year olds is that deafness is often a matter of convenience.
If that is the case here then an iPad is not going to solve much other than to become a fungible asset to a substance abuser.
In re-reading your note the issue appears to be with substance abusers not the 86 year old.
My advise is to get the substance abusers help and leave the 86 year old to live her life in peace.
-BA
