Talking microwaves.

OldMotherTucker

My visually impaired Auntie is looking to replace her microwave oven and I saw that the RNIB have links to a talking one. It's quite pricey though.

Does anyone have one, or something similar and,if so, could they please advise.

Many thanks.

nannytone_2

[my issue with this is that although the microwave may talk.... how will she know the required times for whatever she is putting in it"

no joined up thinking, just a wish to sell/B]

w06

I was thinking that too, although does anyone read the instructions once they've cooked something once? Or is that just me

Might be better with something like mine which is the cheapest one I could find, in B&Q i think, and has a sticking out button that adds 30 seconds per press to the time - and a good large clear digital display of the time remaining (if she has some vision), I think it beeps too.

Apart from the twisty knob that increases the time a bit quicker if ten mins or so that's the only button I've used on it.

OldMotherTucker

nannytone wrote: »

[my issue with this is that although the microwave may talk.... how will she know the required times for whatever she is putting in it"

no joined up thinking, just a wish to sell/B]

You of all people should know that visual impairment does not mean completely blind, and she uses a microwave at the moment so where is the harm in finding out more about a model that could make her life just a little bit easier.

I won't say money is no object for her but she's pretty well off, and as an 84 year old widow, living independently, if she wants a talking microwave I don't see the harm in doing a bit of research for her and taking her out to look at a few models. Or do you think I should brush her off and tell her 'it's not joined up thinking'. A trifle dismissive don't you think?




So, back to my original query . . . . if anyone has any experience of using or buying a talking microwave and has any pointers on the type of features/functions that would help, I'd really appreciate their input.

Savvy_Sue

Do the RNIB have the same system as Action for Hearing Loss sales, where if it turns out that what you've bought doesn't 'work' for you you can return it?

nannytone_2

i wasn't being negative at all.
people are more than welcome to spend their money on whatever they like.

i was just pointing out that a lot od these high cost aids are not always as suitable as they first appear, because they only partially address an issue.

the RNIB are pretty good with returns.
i have a speaking scale that i use every day to weigh my dogs dinner. 11 months and 3 weeks after i got it, it started speaking rather randomly and not actually telling me how much the food weighed
RNIB replaced it within a week

w06

That was your dog hacking it to get more food Nannytone, they'll be cursing you exchanging it :-)

fraserbooks

My mum had one after she was registered blind and loved it. It helped her keep her independence and stay in her own home and even cook a meal for her friend. She also used Wiltshire farm food meals which all took a similar time to heat. This was about ten years ago so they may have changed now. Before we just got some raised orange sticky pads from RNIB to mark five and ten on her microwave.

She did have a couple of disasters like Apple pie and gravy but we were able to organise her kitchen so she could find most things. She also had a talking watch from RNIB.

nannytone_2

w06 wrote: »

That was your dog hacking it to get more food Nannytone, they'll be cursing you exchanging it :-)

i wouldn't be surprised even her trainer says that she is one of the 'clever' ones

w06

I've a clever one too, and one who hides his smarts very well, but every now and then puts them to good use

Tabbytabitha

fraserbooks wrote: »

My mum had one after she was registered blind and loved it. It helped her keep her independence and stay in her own home and even cook a meal for her friend. She also used Wiltshire farm food meals which all took a similar time to heat. This was about ten years ago so they may have changed now. Before we just got some raised orange sticky pads from RNIB to mark five and ten on her microwave.

She did have a couple of disasters like Apple pie and gravy but we were able to organise her kitchen so she could find most things. She also had a talking watch from RNIB.

Apple pie and gravy's always going to be a disastrous combination, even for sighted people!