Former teacher living with glaucoma misses her word games
Dear Live Grand:
My mother, 73, is a retired high school teacher who’s developed glaucoma. Mom’s medications are keeping her vision stable for now, yet we need to make a realistic plan. She’s always enjoyed crossword puzzles and other word games, but her vision changes are making the newspaper puzzles challenging to read. She does have other interests, especially Broadway musicals and their related history. Mom isn’t cognitively challenged in any way so we’re wondering if she could benefit from a GrandPad or if she’s not yet ready for one. What’s your take? – LE
Dear LE:
We’re sorry to hear about your mom’s glaucoma but with treatment, there’s hope that her vision will remain stable for a long time. Meanwhile, you are doing well by researching tools that can help her continue to thrive. We’re certain that a GrandPad could enhance her life now as well as long into the future.
With the GrandPad tablet, all text is large and clear with high-contrast black on a white, well-lit background. Each icon is uniquely colored and is underscored by the identifying word. The icons are positional which means that they remain in the same place providing predictable navigation. GrandPad’s screen is large enough for people to read well but small enough to hold at the perfect angle to aid unique sight challenges. With this device, if your mom reads articles about Broadway history or anything else that interests her the text can be adjusted to suit her needs.
The Games app includes crosswords, word search, and word scramble as well as solitaire and Sudoku. The text and squares in crosswords and other games are large and include the same great clarity that all GrandPad features offer.
Within GrandPad’s safe Internet app she’d see options like Next Avenue and Growing Bolder that offer wonderful choices for entertainment and information of interest to people over 50.
Since your mom loves Broadway musicals, she’d have a ball with GrandPad’s Music app. With the Show Tunes option, she’d be able to play great Broadway songs with one tap. Then, if she likes a song, she could easily create her unique playlist by tapping Add to Collection. Many people who love Broadway music enjoy having it playing in the background. She could do that by tapping Play Music in Background which allows users to listen while using other apps.
With the Tools app, she’d find an excellent magnifier, a super-bright flashlight, and a large-buttoned calculator. Emails can be sent by voice or set up for typing should she prefer that.
GrandPad’s easy video/audio calls are always available as are the photos and videos uploaded to the Photos app. If your family uses Zoom, she’d also have easy access to her own designated app which would make it easy for her to join calls.
GrandPad’s mission is to help people remain comfortable using technology even if they have vision or hearing challenges. We’re certain that this tablet would enrich your mom’s life both now and in the future.
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