My 87 year old dad has finally decided that, yes, he'd really like to get a computer.

[scarletwoman]

My sisters and I have been coaxing him for YEARS that he'd really enjoy taking a spin on the internet superhighway. He's bright, intelligent, and curious, and loves to increase his knowledge. All his life he's been an avid user of dictionaries and encyclopedias. We sisters constantly regale him with facts about stuff that we've been able to look up online, and he's finally reached the point where he wants to be able to do that for himself.

First problem - his eyesight is failing, he's mostly blind in one eye, and he's lost considerable functionality in the other eye. However, when we pass a laptop over to him to show him something, he says as long as it's up close he can see it.

Second problem - he's easily flustered by digital technology. He has a digital camera, loves to take pictures, but is constantly stymied by what he needs to do to make it work - like deleting stuff to make more room in the camera's memory. His own memory isn't operating too well, so he constantly forgets instructions - even when they're repeated to him many times.

Mother died almost 6 years ago, and he lives almost 100 miles away from me and my siblings, so we can't be there for him all the time.

But I think he'd have a blast with google, I really want to get him plugged in. He wants it, too.

My question is, what would be the best hardware and OS for someone like him? Laptop or desktop? Windows or Mac?

I'd really appreciate suggestions!

Thanks in advance...

[ohheckyeah]

1. I recommend a desktop

with a widescreen monitor. That's what my 87 year old parents use. I set the size of the font higher and have customized things for them so they can find things easily. Customization is key.

I typed out instructions for the things they do the most so if they forget they can just read the instructions - they feel stupid when they keep asking the same questions and this gives them some independence from asking me all the time. I even made some videos for them showing them how to do things (I used special software for that.) I also typed up a list of computer terms that I take for granted - like the term desktop, screensaver, etc. I also typed out a schedule for them to run the virus program and CCleaner.

They now have a Facebook page and can upload photos to Facebook. Dad uses Google maps and Google world a lot.

Also, I put TeamViewer on both of our computers. That way, when they hit a snag, I can take over their computer remotely and fix it for them.

Good luck!

[scarletwoman]

4. Wow! Thank you SO MUCH!

I love the idea of TeamViewer - but I have absolutely no idea how to do that. It sounds like a wonderful idea, though!

I wouldn't know how to make a video, I simply don't have any way of doing that. As it is, I'm stuck with dialup, since I live in a totally underserved rural area.

One reason I thought about a laptop is because every summer, he spends a lot of time in his camping trailer at a campground in NW Wisconsin. I haven't found out if there's WiFi there yet, but I will be asking this weekend when I go visit him.

Anyway, how do I find out more about TeamViewer?

Thanks again!

[ohheckyeah]

9. TeamViewer is easy to use.

http://www.teamviewer.com/en/index.aspx?pid=google.tv.s.us&gclid=CNPF9uv3xb4CFe99OgodMjAAZA

My parent's just open TV, I open it on my computer, they give me their ID and password and I enter it into the software and it opens up. I then control their computer just like I would my own.

And it's free.

[scarletwoman]

21. Thank you for the link.

I will defintely look into this once my sisters and I have settled on what to get for my dad.

[KoKo]

12. My Dad had severe Macular Degeneration in his eyes..and if he'd lived long enough

He could have used Wide Screen and ability to Adjust the Text. We took him to the best Eye Centers and bought him a very expensive machine that allowed him to read text on screen (if he could put a newspaper or text under a light) which helped him for awhile...but that was before technology advanced to where it is today...(it was 12 years ago) but for older people the Wide Screen TV's of Now and Adjustment abilities are just incredible for folks with eye impairments.

But...whatever you choose...a large screen with ability to adjust which you and family can help him with. That's one of the Huge Wonders of the Technology today. As much as it hurts us on "one end" it "helps" the older keep involved on the other hand. And, as we all age we will appreciate these helpers that those before us didn't have available.

Thank you for this post. Many of us are dealing with vision impaired Parents and Relatives and some of us aren't getting any younger these days, too. So whatever help we can give helps us learn for ourselves as we move along.

[enough]

2. My father used his huge-screen Mac constantly until about 2 days before he died at 97.

He'd been using Macs since about the age of 82, when he got his first computer. It took a while for him to get used to the whole thing, and he used it only for e-mail, internet and writing.

I spent quite a bit of time with him getting him oriented at the beginning, then answering many questions over time, which usually had to do with his feeling that he didn't understand or couldn't do something, and then watching while he got the feel for how you get yourself out of some minor confusion or block. But this was dependent on my being nearby and available to help. The entire idea of the active screen, the cursor, and the dynamic interplay of all the different windows and menus may not be something one can pick up instinctively in old age, though it can be learned with some teaching.

My theory is that what you need is a strong desire to DO SOMETHING specific with the computer. If you have that desire, you will figure out how to use it. In my father's case, as a news junkie, he had a passionate desire to be able to go wherever he wanted on the internet.

The huge screen helps a lot with failing eyesight.

[scarletwoman]

6. At this point, my dad mainly wants to be able to look up stuff, like he would in an encyclopedia.

We were driving around today in rural NW Wisconsin and came across the name of totally obscure small town, and I mentioned that I thought it was named after a city in Sweden (it is - I checked after I got home). He wondered how the hell I would know that, and I told him it was because of something I had looked up on the internet one time, and had come across that bit of information (the name of the city in Sweden) in the process.

So, it kind of finally pushed him over the edge, and he declared that he really wanted to get a computer so he could look up stuff like that.

I'm sure that he'd also love to get to news and political stuff, too. He's recently sent (snail mail) letters to Al Franken and Keith Ellison about a Constitutional Amendment he'd like to see about campaign financing, to counteract the Citizens United Supreme Court decision.

So, yeah, I think his desire is pretty strong. Whether his online learning curve would be up to the task is another matter. But I think if he just managed to learn how to navigate google, he'd be immensely pleased.

[KoKo]

13. Recommend read for you experience!

[Make7]

3. How is he going to connect to the internet?

If he has access to WiFi where he lives and someone has an iPad they could loan him for a few days, have them put Opera Coast on it and then show him how to browse with that - there are only half a dozen things to learn to navigate the internet effectively.

Or if he could visit someone that has an iPad to just try out for a few hours.

In fact, borrowing (or visiting) so he can use something (e.g. tablet, laptop) is probably the way to find out what will work best for him. (Who buys a car without a test drive?) The reason there are so many options for computers is because people think in all sorts of different ways and depending how someone's brain works, some hardware/software will just make more sense.

As far as ease of use with a minimal learning curve, I think iPads are a good option unless he would want a very large screen - which kind of rules out tablets completely. (Although it is really easy to zoom in and out on a tablet.)


Thus concluding the obligatory outside-the-box answer.

[scarletwoman]

7. Thank you! I appreciate your suggestions.

He has WiFi available where he lives. One of my nieces spends time with him and shows him stuff on her laptop regularly. He just hasn't ever tried to navigate with it on his own.

My own thinking is probably limited by what I myself am used to - I use a desktop computer at work and a laptop at home. So, as far as teaching him goes, I can only give him what I already know. I have no experience with iPads or tablets or smart phones or any of that sort of thing. Hell, my home internet connection is still dialup, because I'm so damn far out in the boonies.

[KoKo]

16. Great Points...but, elderly often misplace things and drop things...so I-Pad is good

if someone is there to get them used to how easy it is to use. But, older people often are more comfortable with having a place to go...ie: PC where they can learn how to click to get on and go with it from there. But, it depends on the age and abilities of the elder. Some are more able to adapt to one technology over another. And, some who don't have difficulties might do well with I-Pad or the other Tablets and others might find them a constant problem. For Bed Ridden or wheel chair bound the Tablets would seem to be a great option. For others that might look forward to their desk or table to go to where they think they can function the PC or Laptop might be the better option.

It's great that we younger can help them out if we live near and use different ways of Internet Use though!

It comes down to...as always "Different Strokes for Different Folks" with how we learn how to use new technology. Just depends on the ability of those who can use what's available to them that works best for their needs. imho...having gone through a bit of this with aging relatives....

It's the older NOW who are in most need...because they don't have a clue about this. But, as time goes on we all might have different levels but at least KNOW a BIT about basic Internet......

[scarletwoman]

8. Thank you. I appreciate your thoughts on this.

I have no idea, actually, if he has any friends who are online. While he does still have friends, most of the people he most closely related to in his life are dead. Those who remain are mostly in decline.

Realistically, it's going to be up to my sisters and me to help him out.

Having never used an iPad, I don't know if I could be much help to him if we went that route. All of us three sisters just have either laptops and/or desktops. I've used Mac, but my own laptop uses IE. My sisters both use Mac exclusively, but I will probably be the one who actually purchases a computer for him and works to train him on it.

[steve2470]

14. If your dad has a big screen TV, he can hook up his computer to it

I have a 37 inch HDTV that I use for my monitor via HDMI cable, and it's wonderful. The only downside is I have to manually enlarge the font on pages. The fact that he would have to manually enlarge font, via CTRL + plus sign, might be a deal-breaker for him. Just another idea.

[scarletwoman]

20. Thanks. Actually one of my sisters bought him a whole set-up for using his TV as an internet monitor

about 7 or 8 years ago, and he simply refused to use it.

At this point, although he may be more open to it now, I think that with the state of his eyesight, he'd definitely be better off with something he could keep close to his face.

[ohheckyeah]

15. As far as an OS...

I would recommend Windows 7 if you can get it.

If I can get my SnagIt software to work, I can do some videos for your dad if he has Windows 7. It would be my honor to do so.

We're all, if we're lucky, going to get old and being able to stay in touch with the world, children, and grandchildren helps to enrich the life of anyone who is older and limited in his/her in-person interactions.

I just wanted to reiterate that TeamViewer has relieved my parents of fear about messing up the computer. They know I'm only a phone call away and can most likely fix anything they mess up. That is the fear of many people - that they will "ruin" the computer. I assured them that short of taking a hammer to it, it was fixable.

[KoKo]

17. Good Points.. Having Computer help Nearby helps with the fears...but, so many

of us are so far away from aging parents.

I wonder if giving them gifts of constant, call up "Tech Help"might be better (if they want to use computers) than some of the gifts we always try to give them...which show our love...but, don't really help them in the failing lifestyle they are dealing with.

[ohheckyeah]

18. That's not a bad idea.

I've learned enough that I can fix most anything wrong with their computer. I don't live but about 35 minutes from them - I use TeamViewer if it's not a hardware issue.

[mrmpa]

19. If you get him a laptop...........

attach a mouse to it or a wireless mouse & a mouse pad.

[scarletwoman]

22. Definitely!

I switched from a desktop to a laptop when my ancient (circa 1998) desktop went belly-up. It wasn't easy for me to get used to using the finger pad instead of mouse - and I think it would be quite befuddling to someone who's never used a computer at all.

[scarletwoman]

23. I want to thank everyone who has replied on this thread for your generousity and helpfulness!

I think the next step I'll be taking in this little family project is to take my dad to a store where he can play with a number of different models and see how he feels about them. Thanks to a DUmail from one of you, I've realized that I really ought to consider going the Tablet route - even though my own lack of experience made me initially reluctant.

Anyway, you all have given me excellent food for thought - I cannot thank you enough!

I expect I may be back again sometime soon to ask about tablets!

Thanks again!

[lululu]

24. It's easy to help over the phone

Just describe things in detail and be patient. You have to be very familiar with the interface on his system.

[csziggy]

25. Windows has a lot of accessibility features built in

Under Programs - Accessories - Ease of Access

The Ease of Access Center has different sections for different needs and will guide you through the steps for each, and there is a Magnifier and Narrator. The Voice Recognition is pretty decent, and I haven't tried the on screen keyboard, but it's in the list.

I'm working with Windows 7 so this would be available in most current computers.

[d_r]

26. 14" HP chromebook

Set him up a Google account and let him go.

No virus, no junk.

Simple to operate.

Takes an SD card for his camera. Will put his pics straight on Google/pic as a for sharing.

Quick and zippy.

Just set the screen fonts big.

No windows junk to learn and worry about.

Boots up in 10 secs.

Secure as all get out. Stable as can be.

Netflix, amazon prime etc. Out of box.

Totally simple.


http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00FGOTC0Y?cache=13edfd8c12c4130437dc8969aa1d13bd&pi=SX200_QL40&qid=1403521850&sr=8-1#ref=mp_s_a_1_1

[d_r]

27. actually

get him this 14" chromebook with free 4g.

http://www.amazon.com/HP-14-q070nr-14-Inch-Chromebook-T-Mobile/dp/B00FGOTBQO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1403525788&sr=8-2&keywords=14+hp+chromebook

Then you won't need to worry about setting up internet at his house. It will just work.

The free data plan isn't a lot so if he does a lot of video streaming etc. you will want to pay for him a bigger data plan, but it would still work out cheaper than putting internet in his house and you won't have to worry about setting up wireless, etc.

Just click on advanced options in the bottom right for accessibility options (screen magnifier, sticky keys and pointer, etc.). You can always add a simple usb mouse.

[Drew Richards]

28. You have been given some great advise I have one more for you and you should try it right now

With any open screen or program in web such as a google search or reading and article...you can ALWAYS make the text gigantic step by step or reduce it....

By holding down the ctrl key and hitting plus to enlarge or minus to reduce text size...

Try it yourself right now on this screen and you will be happy with the tip.



Drew.

[CountAllVotes]

29. Hey, thanks for the tip!

I sure didn't know this and I'm constantly adjusting font sizes due to my own failing eyesight!

Thank you!

[Drew Richards]

30. Welcome...it makes reading the web wonderful again...