If you like this post, read some of the other descriptions of our Father/Daughter iPad for Dad adventures — iPad for Dad, #1, iPad for Dad, #2, iPad for Dad, #3, iPad for Dad, #4, iPad for Dad, #5, iPad for Dad, #6, iPad for Dad, #7, iPad for Dad, #8, iPad for Dad, #9, iPad for Dad, #10, iPad for Dad, #11, iPad for Dad, #12, iPad for Dad, #13, iPad for Dad, #14, iPad for Dad, #15, iPad for Dad, #16, iPad for Dad, #17 , iPad for Dad, #18, iPad for Dad, #19, iPad for Dad, #20, and iPad for Dad, #21
Today I purchased an iPad for my dad’s 87th birthday. I’ve played around and learned how to use it (very easy), and will deliver it to him tomorrow morning. I’ll report as soon as possible on how tomorrow’s first iPad lesson goes. Stay posted.
Applications that I downloaded:
- The New York Times
- WBGH Classical Music
- The Christian Science Monitor
- A newspapers app that allows my dad to choose newspapers by state
- An app called Free Books (lots of books out of copyright)
Books that I added:
- Plato, Aristotle, Homer, Cicero and some poetry
- The Bible and a Concordance (Dad is a retired minister.)
- Several Shakespeare plays
- John Milton
Bookmarks added:
- The Library of Congress
- Several magazine sites
- His colleges and graduate schools
- PBS news programs
- C-Span
- Washington National Cathedral
- The White House
- … and more
As Our Parents Age So Do We 
Pingback: iPad for Dad, #3 « As Our Parents Age
I am in the process of writing a review of the iPad for seniors and saw your post in Laurie Orlov’s Technology Watch, I agree this is a game changer – but still think there is a lot of room for improvement on the interface for seniors. A simple feature like being able to change the size of the icons (as opposed to the zoom feature) would be a big help. Apps like e-mail (great interface) could also use bigger icons within as well. I’ll include link on another comment when I post my review. Interested in any thoughts you would have on it.
– Michael
LikeLike
Hi Michael,
I am thrilled to hear about what you are doing! I agree with your comments and look forward to your review. In addition, one thing that is really needed for this age group is an old-fashioned users manual, or at least something that senior users can print out (preferably not with the words idiots or dummies in the title). I find my parents are great at following instructions, however they are a bit at sea when the expectation is the they will play around until they figure it out. This philosophy works for my generation but not theirs.
LikeLike
Pingback: Senior Caregivers and iPads « As Our Parents Age
Pingback: Grandma is on Facebook « As Our Parents Age
I’m not 87 but I want one. This is a great device for reading just about anything. Would like it to be a little thinner though. It is one of the best selling products this year and ranked number one at http://www.casadegifts.com I would add the Skype app to your list of pre loaded software. Then you can stay connected.
LikeLike
Pingback: Senior Parent Hospitalization, #4: Observations from My Dad « As Our Parents Age
Pingback: Grandma’s On Facebook « As Our Parents Age
Pingback: In a Digital World: Attribute Sources! Back-to-School 2011 Reading #4 « Media! Tech! Parenting!
Pingback: When and Why Seniors Use Technology « As Our Parents Age
Oh how fun! Talk about that old saying, “Great minds run along the same track” – we must both have scintillatingly brilliant minds. My senior mom finally decided to give the iPad a try, after years of “running” from technology. She’s learning, I’m teaching, we’re having fun (mostly 🙂 ) as she discovers new things she can and can’t do on the iPad. I’m writing all about it at SandwichINK. And would you believe it, my running title for it is “iPad Adventures for Our Sandwich Generation Family!” And boy, it is an adventure isn’t it! Very challenging! You’ve been at it longer than us. I’m really looking forward to reading all about your adventures! And another fun thing I discovered – the pix of your daughter at a Mac 20 years ago! That was our daughters as well – we got our first Mac the year after they came out. Congrats to you for also being a finalist for SeniorsHomes.com Thank you for a very delightful visit. Be sure and tell your dad MEGA KUDOS!!! And yes, I’m now following you on Twitter and here. Have a blessed and beautiful day!
LikeLike
Yes, the new technologies are advanced, it is noticeable with new models senior cell phone everything like AARP cell phone is so intuitive. My grandfather also used without problem iPad. For which have initially negative view.
LikeLike
Pingback: Why an iPad for Aging Parents Who Can go to an Apple Store? | Help! Aging Parents
Pingback: iPad for Father’s Day | Coaches of Technology
Thanks so much for this series of articles. My parents’ first iPad will arrive with them tomorrow and I am very grateful for the tips to encourage them to make good use of it.
LikeLike
Pingback: Sandwich Generation Issues – News & Resources for Multigenerational Caregivers, October 1, 2012 | SandwichINK for the Sandwich Generation
Pingback: 6 Blogs That Will Help Caregivers of Elderly Parents | My Blog
Pingback: 6 Blogs That Will Help Caregivers of Elderly Parents | Graying With Grace