iPad for elderly parent

J_B

............. my sister-in-law and her kids (they use Facetime).

M i L has an I Pad - all her kids and grandkids are on the aPple bandwagon so they find it easy to text Nanny whenever they want, which she appreciates

Doshwaster said:

It's about time I learned something about Apple products as I've never owed a Mac or iPhone.

Goodness me - why would you want to do that?  

orrery

I've just sorted out the same for my 95 year Mum who has Dementia.

We got her a Google Home Hub Max. This will video conference (one to one, only) with Google Duo, which is excellent quality. We got unlimited broadband installed from the Post Office (she had her phone with them anyway, so the cost wasn't excessive) and this allows us to have a couple of TP-Link tapo security cameras installed on the WiFi, aslo highly recommended

You can also use the screen as a security camera, and when not being used it will run a family album slide-show.

Getting her to answer was problematic, as she can't comprehend a 'touch button' on a screen (she assumes a button must go in when she presses it hard) but it will answer using voice (also problematic, as she insists on shouting at it).

She has got used to pressing the button now, and the whole family (using Android or Apple) now video conference with her regularly. She's even getting used to her great grandchildren's names as she speaks to them quite a lot (and that's after not remembering her granddaughter's name before that). This is a really helpful piece, showing how it can be set up and then dropped off at a nursing home:

https://www.reddit.com/r/googlehome/comments/g066ka/guide_how_to_set_up_google_home_nest_hub_max_for/

Apintplease

Mum, 82, finds her iPhone easier to use now then her windows lap top

We are all apple here so all compatible and I can sort her out when she messes up

The one thing I did do, was to arrange her screen for her, putting on the front page only the apps she used  - phone, messenger, messages ,FaceTime, Facebook , email, eBay, amazon and her banks. Second page her games and other sundries, and shoved everything else on the third page. She rarely needs me to help her now, unless she manages to delete an app

yorkrose1984

I am (without wishing to sound 'arrogant'), the 'go-to' person in our family, thus guided my parents in what tech to buy (hence we don't (and never shall have, Social Media or Alexa etc in the house), but as others have stated, anaylise what her needs are, what her friends/relative have and ease-ability. If she is just going to skype/zoom etc then a simple ipad mini may be all that she needs (if you are concerned about 'heaviness' (though of course Apples aren't exactly the same weight as there 'fruity' counterpart), they are not that heavy), no, with regards to a 4G/Cellular option, this may also cause a little confusion for her as if the Data Sim 'runs out', then she will not be able to use the ipad (to connect to the internet, thus for Face-timing etc), Also of course phone companies don't 'guarantee' a strong indoor signal. It may be better if she has a phone-line just to get a cheap(ish) modem set it up for her and then set the tablet, the process isn't difficult and it would ensure she has always got access to the internet. I can see the 'box in the corner' point, but the ongoing difference in price between fixed and mobile is quite significant and the money saved can go on the initial outlay. Ongoing costs will be minimal as she will only (I am assuming) be a 'light user' thus she can have one of the cheaper packages offered by providers, rather than having to pay 4G prices for data that she isn't necessarily going to be using!

RumRat

Wow....Glad your not my go-to person for tech....