Could a GrandPad help mom remember daughter’s visits?
Dear Live Grand:
My mom is in memory care. I’m able to visit her several times a week but sadly, right after I’ve left, she’s forgotten that I was there. While I know this is normal for her disease, it still hurts. Mom’s strangely capable in some ways, so I try to stimulate her mind and my research has led me to the GrandPad. I know that she’d love the video calls and photos if they are easy enough to use, but is it realistic to think that she could use this tablet, or is she beyond that point? - RE
Dear RE:
Understanding that your mom’s forgetfulness is normal for her disease doesn’t take away the sting. Even so, you haven’t given up on trying new ways to improve her life and GrandPad can help with that.
Since the GrandPad was developed for older adults and people with various challenges such as dementia, your mom should be able to use many of the features. There’s no confusing clutter. All she’d see would be large, uniquely colored icons and clear text with great contrast and easy navigation. She’d have wonderful sound on front-facing speakers, and the tablet is charged by laying it on the included cradle.
There’s a large, convenient HELP button that she can tap if she forgets how to use a function or even wants to chat. And guess what? Your mom’s personal representative will be the person to answer her call.
One suggestion that could help your mom remember your visits is to take a selfie of the two of you with her GrandPad camera. While you don’t want to make your mom feel bad by suggesting that she’s forgotten your visits, you could answer any complaints with, “Oops, I forgot to tell you. We took a picture together. Let’s look!” Then guide her to tap the Photos app and there you’d be. Even if the image doesn’t remind her of a particular visit, she’d see these photos and remember that she’s loved.
The only calls and emails she’d receive would be from people added to her Contacts. When you set this up if you label family members such as “Daughter Rebecca” that would help identify the person’s place in the family. To answer a call, she’d simply tap Answer when your photo pops up on her screen. To call you, she’d touch the word Call next to your image in her Contacts.
There’s a relaxing Moods app, and the Music app could provide her with both comfort and entertainment. She might even want to try games like tic-tac-toe or Bingo.
GrandPads are designed for people with different abilities, RE, so your mom could have fun with the features that she wants to use without feeling pressured to do more.
Consider, too, that he can’t get into trouble using a GrandPad, and our unique customer service would provide her with an extra friend. All of this together should go a long way toward helping her remain content.
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