Could a GrandPad entertain an older couple who loved to dance?

Dear Live Grand:

My grandparents live in a nursing home that can take care of their physical needs and some socializing, but they need more to keep them busy. Their memories are sharp, so the family tries to think of different things that they used to enjoy. Their real passion was dancing. In fact, they took part in ballroom, swing, and even some Latin, which we all think is pretty sweet! The sad part is that Gramps is now in a wheelchair and Gram needs an oxygen tank, so obviously, dancing isn’t possible. It seems a stretch to think that a GrandPad could help them reminisce about dancing, but we thought we’d ask. – YG

Dear YG:

Your grandparents are fortunate to have a great family working to help them maintain their joy. Believe it or not, giving them a GrandPad could not only help them reminisce about dancing, but it could do so much more.

During the simple setup, the family admin could upload favorite photos and input the contact information for family members and friends. If there are pictures of your grandparents dancing, be sure to add those so they could view them whenever they want. Imagine their smiles!

Your Grandparents would have the ability to access YouTube via GrandPad’s built-in safe Internet so they could watch all kinds of dancing. By typing in “swing dance,” “ballroom dance,” or “Latin dance,” they could pull up their favorites. They might even find dance clips from movies they’ve enjoyed in the past. Leaving them with a list of simple search terms would get them started.

A GrandPad would offer your Grandparents an abundance of other options, as well. For example, under the Internet app, there’s an integrated connection to the “Growing Bolder” website. Once on “Growing Bolder,” if they typed in the word “dance” they could access absorbing podcasts with people who are connected to dancing now as well as favorites from the past. “Growing Bolder” is packed with articles and features of interest to adults over 50, so who knows what else they may find interesting?

We can also see them using their GrandPad to enjoy general music from decades past in addition to Latin music, Big Band, American Classics, or even Show Tunes.

The Radio app is also fun. The family admin could find stations that play ballroom and other music and add these to their pre-sets. The GrandPad Radio option offers music and talk, so that’s something else they might have fun with.

If they like learning about dancers' lives, they could use the Lookup app. The encyclopedia option here allows users a goldmine of information.

Along with these choices, they would be able to easily enjoy video chats with family and friends, take part in Zoom calls, and play a variety of games.

It’s healthy for your grandparents to socialize with the other residents, YG, but having a GrandPad in addition to that would provide a fantastic tool for not only reminiscing about dancing but expanding their interests.

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