iPad for elderly parent

Magnolia

Have you considered an Echo Show?  Considrably cheaper then an ipad{https://www.amazon.co.uk/amazon-echo-show-8-compact-smart-display-with-alexa/dp/B07SMN7FYZ?ref_=Oct_s9_apbd_otopr_hd_bw_b2Lt8&pf_rd_r=E7Y9VE3NQ7CJJ4WM2HE5&pf_rd_p=2b6e819e-f8cc-54ae-aa66-13dd3322bef2&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-13&pf_rd_t=BROWSE&pf_rd_i=560798 ! 

On the subject of ipads you can buy 3 data cards from Amazon for not very much and they do last a considerable time as the data is valid for 2 years (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Three-Mobile-Pay-Broadband-Data-Black/dp/B01M3VJ2B2/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=internet+with+legs&qid=1603623500&sr=8-1 ).

It may be more prudent to buy a smaller card for her to see how she gets on with it.

Do you have any friends who have an ipad she could have a go with to see if she can use it?  The weight is not a problem as there are many stands on the market for them.

Hope you can sort it out for her.

debitcardmayhem

Magnolia said:

Have you considered an Echo Show?  Considrably cheaper then an ipad{https://www.amazon.co.uk/amazon-echo-show-8-compact-smart-display-with-alexa/dp/B07SMN7FYZ?ref_=Oct_s9_apbd_otopr_hd_bw_b2Lt8&pf_rd_r=E7Y9VE3NQ7CJJ4WM2HE5&pf_rd_p=2b6e819e-f8cc-54ae-aa66-13dd3322bef2&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-13&pf_rd_t=BROWSE&pf_rd_i=560798 ! 

On the subject of ipads you can buy 3 data cards from Amazon for not very much and they do last a considerable time as the data is valid for 2 years (https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6206039/45.79 ).

It may be more prudent to buy a smaller card for her to see how she gets on with it.

Do you have any friends who have an ipad she could have a go with to see if she can use it?  The weight is not a problem as there are many stands on the market for them.

Hope you can sort it out for her.

Your link to data cards is circular back to your post here you may need to edit it

Doshwaster

labp04 said:

Bit obvious and not wanting to teach anyone to suck eggs, but I would also check that the mobile signal in your mum's home is decent, supports 4g etc

Yes, that's one thing I can confirm. Whenever I visit her I use my phone as a mobile hotspot for my laptop so I know the 4G coverage is good. I have no idea how much data she would use so I'm thinking of going PAYG to start with.

To be honest, I can't see it ending well. She has a DVD player which she doesn't use because it's "too complicated", regularly phones me for help when she presses the wrong button on her TV remote control and we tried getting her a smartphone a few years ago but had to go back to a basic mobile. 

Farway

Doshwaster said:

labp04 said:

Bit obvious and not wanting to teach anyone to suck eggs, but I would also check that the mobile signal in your mum's home is decent, supports 4g etc

Yes, that's one thing I can confirm. Whenever I visit her I use my phone as a mobile hotspot for my laptop so I know the 4G coverage is good. I have no idea how much data she would use so I'm thinking of going PAYG to start with.

To be honest, I can't see it ending well. She has a DVD player which she doesn't use because it's "too complicated", regularly phones me for help when she presses the wrong button on her TV remote control and we tried getting her a smartphone a few years ago but had to go back to a basic mobile. 

I think I can black cat that, mine used to phone because wrong programme was on TV, not the one advertised

She often used to flip the pages in TV times & forget to turn turn them back

Best of luck with your quest

Magnolia

debitcardmayhem said:

Magnolia 

Your link to data cards is circular back to your post here you may need to edit it

Sorted thanks - no idea what happened there!

bob_a_builder

Been down same route with my mum (94) - she had a iPad but switched her over to Android as it was much easier to use remote control software to be able to take control to either show her how to do something or to fix something she has accidentally mucked up

You would have thought in the current circumstances Google would have added some extra functionality to be able to 'lock down' a device better to prevent accidental  movement of icons and similar 'elderly' gotchas - I know they have added a kids mode - maybe that would do it 

The only thing she uses it for is Skype video calls, looking at shared albums on Google photos and a bit of YouTube

RealGem

Data and 4G shouldn't be an issue. If she has a TV she will have broadband. Just pop the hub's password in the iPad. You only have to do that once. I use broadband to do my video calls on the iPad. And you don't need Facetime either. Use Facebook messenger to do the same thing. I have android phones, but got an iPad to use Garageband. And even a thicko like me can use the ipad easily ...(watch me tempt fate and my next post be Help I'm stuck on my ipad lol!)

elsien

Not sure where you get the “if she has a TV she will have broadband” from. Some of us still just have terrestrial TV off the aerial. 

neilmcl

RealGem said:

Data and 4G shouldn't be an issue. If she has a TV she will have broadband. Just pop the hub's password in the iPad. You only have to do that once. I use broadband to do my video calls on the iPad. And you don't need Facetime either. Use Facebook messenger to do the same thing. I have android phones, but got an iPad to use Garageband. And even a thicko like me can use the ipad easily ...(watch me tempt fate and my next post be Help I'm stuck on my ipad lol!)

What a ridiculous statement 🤣

Since when did someone have to have broadband to watch TV.

RealGem

OK you two...!
More than 95% of people with TVs also have broadband.
OP, does your mother have broadband? If not, I stand corrected!