Sunday, August 28, 2011

iPad for Seniors: Personal Experience

As a person that work on a computer most of the day, has a computer at home and carries around an iPhone, I did not have a need for an iPad.  Yet,  I spent a lot of time playing with the machine at Apple stores.  While I enjoyed playing with it, I felt is a glorified iPhone without the ability to make calls.

I had a change of heart when I realized the iPad 2 could be an interesting device for my mom when she's not out doing stuff.  I thought it would give her an additional option beyond just watching TV.  Like many elderly folks, my mom is not much of a technology person.  The only piece of my technology actively uses is her cell phone.  However, that cell phone is a very basic one.  You would never see my mom using an iPhone or Android phone.

If not the iPhone, then how come I suddenly thought about the iPad?  Well, I felt the iPad would be simple enough so I could teach my mom a few simple things to do.  I initially planned to teach her how to surf the Web, watch YouTube and play a few games.

After thinking about things for a couple of weeks, I ended getting the iPad.  Alas, only one out of the three items I wanted to teach my mom has worked out.  My mom doesn't know much about the Internet and doesn't watch a lot of videos.  So, those two ideas went out the door quick.

However, the games have saved the day.  I had to teach my mom to do some basic navigation of the iPad.  Once she got that down pat, she has spent a lot of her free time playing a few games (2 card games + one bowling game).   The two card games require some thinking and strategy so that is helping my mom stay mentally active.

The nice benefit is that some of the games can be played on both the iPad 2 and my iPhone (as both are using my iTunes account).  So when we both have time, I can compete against my mom on some of the games.  Good family bonding time!

In addition, while the iPad is not a phone, I've installed an app that allows the iPad to make and receive calls.  I have the same app on my iPhone.  While the cell phone will be the primary form of contact, it's nice to have a backup option.

If you've never thought about getting an iPad for yourself, consider it for your family member.   It is definitely worth the investment.