Former doctor with Alzheimer’s feels loss of regular medical updates

Dear Live Grand:

My dad, 84, retired from his medical practice years ago. Until recently, he was able to keep up on medical news through his subscriptions and contacts with colleagues, but he’s developed early Alzheimer’s disease. Last month he was drawn into a scam by email, so he agrees that it’s time for him to give up the computer. Dad forgets things quickly, but he’s still interested in diseases, and he enjoys reading studies. His second love is jazz. Since he can’t access what he wants, we’re hoping to expand his interests with other options. Does GrandPad offer diversions like music that may interest him? – WJ

Dear WJ:

It’s hard for people who were in demanding professions to realize that they can’t safely access the information they’ve always counted on. We’re sorry your dad is facing such a loss, but we’re pleased to say that a GrandPad could very likely help him continue to enjoy his life.

GrandPad’s safe Internet comes with a pre-set that offers the Mayo Clinic site for researching diseases and conditions. If he enjoys looking up information, there are safe access options to Wikipedia and Google search, too.

What’s more, the family admin could add his favorite medical sites to his Internet app making those available to him. These should provide enough information to keep your dad from feeling excluded from medical progress. GrandPad is extremely flexible so if he begins to show signs of confusion from information overload, the family admin could remove those sites. You might even find that he’d use the medical sites less and less as he discovers the other engrossing options offered by GrandPad.

Email would once again be safe for him because he’d only receive messages from the people that the family admin adds to his contacts. This eliminates the spam that can be a security threat.

Your dad could also enjoy having video chats with friends. Once they are in his contacts list if someone calls him, their photo would appear and he’d just press Answer. Originating a call is just as easy. He could also join Zoom calls with a group of colleagues if they wanted to gather virtually. Of course, family and friends would be added for video chats at any time.

You asked if a GrandPad includes music. Oh my, yes! The music app should delight him. He could not only listen to jazz but classical or whatever genre he’s in the mood for. By touching a button, he could add favorites to his Music Collection which builds a personal playlist. If he enjoys music while he searches medical sites or plays any of the great selection of games, he’d just set his choice to Play Music in the Background.

Your dad would have so many things to keep him occupied, WJ, that he’s sure to diversify his interests. What’s more, he could once again feel safe using technology. We think that you’d all feel good about his ability to connect with people as well as stay entertained.

Live Grand is a weekly column brought to you by GrandPad — the simplest, safest tablet-based solution that helps reconnect families.