Radio for someone with poor eyesight

fwor

I have a relative in a care home, and she currently uses a very old DAB radio (one of the very earliest ones produced, I think). The reception is poor and we would like to replace it.

But she has very poor eyesight, and a recent stroke means she doesn't find small, close-together buttons easy to use - she only has the use of one hand now.

Can anyone recommend a mains-powered radio which they have found is easy for someone in that position to use?

carlislelass

Have you tried Partially Sighted society, they should be able to tell you where to get one. Or RNIB

happyandcontented

https://www.rnib.org.uk/information-everyday-living-home-and-leisure-television-radio-and-film/radio

They have fact sheets and sell some online.

fwor

Thanks - the Roberts Duet 2 looks good, but maybe £250 is a bit too much.

But that gave me the idea to look at the Roberts outlet shop, which lists some "Retro" designs with good old-fashioned rotary volume control and relatively large buttons - one of those should be suitable, and the "graded" models are quite reasonable in price.

Ms_Chocaholic

What about this one
https://www.trouva.com/products/roberts-roberts-revival-mini-dab-radio-sunburst?dfw_tracker=12274-5737d0ff9271cc0300a5739e&gclid=COzuo8-n-84CFUQW0wodXnkLig&utm_campaign=googleshoppingUK&utm_content=305950&utm_medium=cpc&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=googleshoppingUK&utm_source=vsn&utm_term=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pistonheads.com%2Fgassing%2Ftopic.asp%3Fh%3D0%26f%3D95%26t%3D1619499

Bigmoney2

If she has a TV in her room she can get some radio channels through that, which may be easier.

fwor

Thanks, but no TV - maybe in future but she's not interested at the moment - still coming to terms with the stroke.

One further things that's a positive for at least some of the Roberts models: they have an "Aux In" which means that we can get Playaway audio books from the library and she can listen without having to use headphones (which with only one functioning hand are a pain to put on).

That could make a good interim solution while we decide whether to buy a dedicated audio book player (the "proper" ones are mega expensive!).

greyteam1959

@fwor
I bought my elderly father a Daisy Reader off Ebay a few months ago. It was a 9 year old model & only cost £50.
It was this model actually........
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiUJV5NUXSY
There are plenty for sale on ebay / gumtree / preloved etc.
As you say the new 'proper' ones are around the £400 mark.
HTH

[Deleted User]

fwor wrote: »

Thanks, but no TV - maybe in future but she's not interested at the moment - still coming to terms with the stroke.

One further things that's a positive for at least some of the Roberts models: they have an "Aux In" which means that we can get Playaway audio books from the library and she can listen without having to use headphones (which with only one functioning hand are a pain to put on).

That could make a good interim solution while we decide whether to buy a dedicated audio book player (the "proper" ones are mega expensive!).

How about buying a 2nd hand tablet and using voice commands?

https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/control-android-device-entirely-voice/

You will have to set things up initially, but radio can be used via the tablet (with headphones) and you can also download audio books from the library too.

Also, you can get laptrays with slots to hold a tablet (the type with a beanbag underneath) so you would not need a second hand to hold the tablet whilst using it. With one hand you can make the items on the screen bigger to make it easier to see and press on buttons, or use the voice commands to control things.

fwor

Spider_In_The_Bath wrote: »

How about buying a 2nd hand tablet and using voice commands?

Thanks for the suggestion - could be good for someone with other conditions, but there is no "nice" way to say this: she is very clumsy now.

We tried a smartphone when looking to leave a phone with her - but she simply doesn't have the hand control to prevent herself touching the screen unintentionally, and then her eyesight is too poor to see what's going on on the screen. Her speech isn't great either, poor old thing, so voice control would probably not give consistent enough results.

So we're pretty much limited to big buttons and a traditional rotary volume control.

Lorian

At £59 there is the Roberts play

https://electrical.coop.co.uk/Roberts-Play-White-DAB-DAB-FM-RDS-Radio-with-Built-in-Battery-Charger-ROB-RAD-PLAY-W