Dad quit answering his calls after his friend was scammed

Dear Live Grand:

My 81-year-old father’s friend was scammed on the phone so now my dad refuses to answer his own calls. It’s good that he understands how older adults are targeted but this is going overboard. Even though Dad’s healthy and reasonably sharp I need to be able to check on him. When I tell him I worry when he doesn’t answer he says he’ll call me more often which he does but that’s not the same. What if he’s sick or hurt? Would a GrandPad make him feel safe enough to answer his phone? – TG

Dear TG:

Your dad sounds well-intentioned even if he is being overly cautious. With a GrandPad he wouldn’t have to worry about scam calls or spam emails since the only people who could call or email him would be trusted friends and family added by the family admin.

Once he understands that with a GrandPad he’d see the caller’s picture we’re certain that he’d respond. He’d immediately see that he could video chat with them just by touching Answer. 

We don’t foresee this happening with your dad, but for others who may be interested GrandPad does provide an option that allows auto-answer to pick up after a set number of rings.

GrandPad tablets are specifically designed to bring the advantages of technology to older adults without the fear and frustration that keeps so many away. Physically, the tablet/phone is comfortable to hold, and the screen and apps are all sized for easy viewing. To charge it, he’d just lay it on the included cradle. Letting it rest there at night would keep it primed so he needn’t worry about plugging it in.

He’d be able to view family photos and videos that you’ve uploaded, too. That means not only sharing precious images of the past but keeping him up to date with new pictures and videos. Including him in your lives in that way would give him hours of pleasure.

If your dad enjoys card games like Poker, bridge, or solitaire, he’d find them within the games app. There are brain and memory games, word games, and just plain fun games. If he enjoys music, he could choose the genres and eras that he loves and even make his own Music Collection.

We’re thinking, too, that he’d have fun with the Radio app. The family admin could add his favorite stations, but he’d also make new discoveries. GrandPad Radio with music and talk is especially popular. Then there’s Radio Recliner which features shows hosted by people living in retirement situations. This is a favorite with a lot of older adults because they can reminisce and even make requests.

We’re certain that knowing your dad had a GrandPad would make you feel more relaxed, TG. Within a very short time, he’d be confidently answering his calls once more. In fact, we think a GrandPad would quickly become a focus of his days as he stays connected with loved ones and enjoys brain-maintaining activities and entertainment.

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