Dad was a dairy farmer and misses country life

Dear Live Grand:

My widowed dad was a dairy farmer who moved to a retirement complex in our city so he could be closer to family and have access to better medical care. He’s reasonably content and loves seeing the grandkids more often yet he’ll always mourn the loss of farm life. We know that no device can replace the lifestyle he loved but we would like to find ways to entertain and mentally stimulate him when he’s not socializing. Otherwise, he just watches TV. He can use a computer for email and farm news though that’s about it. – PA

Dear PA:

We agree that no device could give your dad back his country life, but  a GrandPad could help smooth this transition by supporting his past while expanding his current interests. 

For a start, consider that your dad probably likes knowing what’s happening in the farming world even if he’s not actively participating. The family admin could add his favorite farm-related websites the GrandPad Internet app making it simple for him to connect with farm news.

GrandPad’s Radio app could provide him with another source of enjoyment. The pre-sets included Music and Talk on GrandPad Radio and a station called Radio Recliner that offers shows DJed by people your dad’s age. We're thinking that he'd love the convenience of having his favorite farm news station added to his Radio app so with just a touch of the identifying button he’d be tuned in. Pre-sets that don’t interest him can be hidden.

If he enjoys music, whether country, classic rock, or religious, he’d find a great selection of different genres and eras within the Music app.

The Games app provides a wide array of options so if he has fun playing poker, memory games, or Tic-Tac-Toe, he’d find them there. GrandPad even offers game nights and tournaments with prizes!

Adding friends and family to your dad’s contacts would make it simple for him to communicate via video/audio chat with anyone on the list. That means he’d be able to talk with family, of course, but also with friends in his farm community. In fact, he could even follow the weather there since the Weather app allows him to check conditions at his contact’s locations.

The Photo app is a much-loved feature. The family admin can upload photos so that they are simple to view at any time. If there are images or videos from the farm, they could be a priority. Then, of course, newer photos and videos would be a super way to help your dad continue to feel a part of family life.

Within the Moods app, he’d find soothing options including nature and animal scenes. Each category includes gentle sound to accompany the scene the user chooses.

As you wisely observed, PA, no device could replace your dad’s farm life. However, unlike TV a GrandPad could help preserve his connection to that life while it offers the entertainment and mental stimulation he needs. We think he’d love it!

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