Dad has always loved technology (he was a computer engineer / radio ham etc) but because of age and dementia he struggles with even simple gadgets. For instance, he has a large button mobile phone that is specially made for the elderly but spends hours fiddling with it, pressing buttons, and then complaining that it doesn't work. It's frustrating for him (and me!) but I daren't take it off him because he still gets some pleasure from it, and still does manage to make calls from time to time.
I can see him getting bored in his care home despite regular walks and morning activities run by the home. The trouble is he still wants to be 'doing' and 'thinking' but just doesn't have the capacity anymore... he won't read (just the occasional magazine), not interested in jigsaws or anything like that... just sits and watches TV or fiddles with the phone.
So my question is, does anyone have any suggestions for a suitable activity that might appeal to him? He's constantly saying he wants a smartphone, but I know he couldn't handle one. So I'm wondering if a simple tablet might be ok, if such a thing exists? It has to be simple though. Or a digital photo frame? He's always liked cameras and wants to take photos but again, he couldn't manage anything with lots of buttons. Plus, I'm not sure the care home would like him wandering around taking photos all over the place!
I'd be grateful for suggestions because I'm struggling to come up with anything!
I can see him getting bored in his care home despite regular walks and morning activities run by the home. The trouble is he still wants to be 'doing' and 'thinking' but just doesn't have the capacity anymore... he won't read (just the occasional magazine), not interested in jigsaws or anything like that... just sits and watches TV or fiddles with the phone.
So my question is, does anyone have any suggestions for a suitable activity that might appeal to him? He's constantly saying he wants a smartphone, but I know he couldn't handle one. So I'm wondering if a simple tablet might be ok, if such a thing exists? It has to be simple though. Or a digital photo frame? He's always liked cameras and wants to take photos but again, he couldn't manage anything with lots of buttons. Plus, I'm not sure the care home would like him wandering around taking photos all over the place!
I'd be grateful for suggestions because I'm struggling to come up with anything!
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