Wi-Fi password challenges are making it hard for this family to connect
Dear Live Grand:
My mom, 85, lives in an assisted living facility. Though she’s happy with it and is active she still wants to be involved with what the family is doing. She has trouble with her cell phone so we thought that a tablet would help her see pictures and videos. In some ways this is better than her phone, yet she gets locked out trying to type the password. It seems that all this modern technology is just too complicated for someone with limited computer experience. I understand that the GrandPad is both a tablet and phone. Would Mom need password protection to stay safe on the Internet? Lots of features are nice but none of that matters if she can’t access it. – SO
Dear SO:
As you mentioned, your mom’s frustration is common with her generation, so the GrandPad tablet was designed to eliminate these barriers. With a GrandPad, older adults quickly grow confident in their ability to use technology which in turn enables families to stay connected.
To address your main concern, GrandPad's built-in cellular service is safe without the need for Internet or phone passwords. The tablet is easy to hold and simple to charge. Its interface is clean and uncluttered, the apps are large and uniquely colored, and the confusing backend work of technology is hidden. No popups, no urgent messages to “update.”
The family admin uploads the photos and videos so not only could you easily share cherished older photos with your mom but also newer pictures and videos. That includes images uploaded to Facebook if you choose to use this option.
While ease of use and family communication are important reasons for GrandPad’s popularity, games and entertainment are not far behind. Whether your mom enjoys crosswords and word searches, challenges like Sudoku and memory games, card games like bridge and hearts, or fun games like bingo, her choice of the moment would be available to her within the Games app.
There’s an abundance of other entertainment, too, so she’d want to explore the varied options. She'd find great music from Big Band to classic rock, Christian, and holiday favorites right there. Then there’s the Radio app with choices for talk and music such as GrandPad Radio and other options that feature music and news. If your mom already enjoys local stations the family admin can add them.
The Internet app has a selection of pre-sets such as Growing Bolder and Next Avenue, plus it offers a safe way to access Google Search and more. Again, the family admin can add additional favorites.
Of course, your mom would have email, simple video/audio calls with family and friends, and an easy Zoom integration if your family enjoys virtual get-togethers.
Your mom wouldn’t have any trouble using this tablet, SO. All the features are approved by our Grand Advisors who are of her generation. She’d have so many options for activities that her only problem would be fitting in everything she wants to do!
Live Grand is a weekly column brought to you by GrandPad — the simplest, safest tablet-based solution that helps reconnect families.
