My dad seems to have a problem with his computer every time he uses it. We first set him up with an Apple iMac and that seemed too confusing. Then we set up a Windows PC, making sure that all he had to select was his Eldy account to get email and access the internet. Now he's having more problems and my husband says the whole thing is a mess.
Dad likes the idea of having it, but he's having trouble catching on. He cannot seem to read instructions (never has) so anytime he has to make a selection based on an instruction, he's lost. Even though I would love for him to be able to get emails (at the very least) and wish he would take more interest in exploring the internet, I'm getting fed up.
He's 87 and he is not senile, but he has decided that he cannot understand a variety of things, especially if it takes any kind of concentrated effort. I looked into getting him an email-only computer, but the one's I could find didn't support graphics and I think it's the pictures he enjoys most. Then, of course, he wants to print the email so he can show it to his friends (that turns into another problem).
He's a nice person and I know he's having a difficult time with aging. I didn't realize how much he depended on my mom and now she has some kind of dementia so Dad is in charge. I want to help him and want him to enjoy life as much as possible, but I'm really lost on this one.
I guess I'm wondering if anyone else has run into this sort of thing and been able to come up with a solution of some kind. My latest is figuring out how to completely erase the hard drive and then re-install Windows just to clean things up and get the computer running again. Right now, it has all kinds of things popping up and it's even a pain for me!!!
He wants me to stop by every time I talk to him so I can look at the computer. The whole thing is a mess. Help!
P.S. I wish this forum would allow us to PREVIEW before we submit a question or an answer. It would make it a lot easier to edit and/or correct spelling errors.
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What makes the Kindle Fire nice is it's easy for him to carry it with him. My husband and I decided to share our Amazon account with him so we were able to put some books on his new tablet. Also, I forwarded a couple of emails to him. One had some beautiful photos of animals and another had a link to a really cute video of a cat. He really got a charge out of that and couldn't believe he could also hear sound!
I know he's still going to have questions and I'll have to help him, but being able to touch the screen (instead of using a mouse) seems to be a lot easier for him. There is also an easily accessible "home" key that makes it easy for him to go back to the beginning if he gets too confused.
My husband and I both have iPads, but we are both really impressed with the Kindle Fire. Great idea naheaton!!
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Yes, we could print his stuff but he was actually doing pretty good with that as long as everything was working. I go over often enough that I can usually print something for him at his place, so you make a valid point Blannie.
Now, I'm thinking if we got him a Kindle Fire, he could take that with him and show his friends anything that's been downloaded to his email. I wonder if there's an email app for it?
Thank you both!
It might be easier to at least handle the printer and pictures on your end. I've even resorted to printing out pictures and mailing them to my mom, rather than driving over there to deliver them. She likes getting mail, so it would solve two issues at once. Good luck, I feel your pain!