Is there a solution for an older adult who finds touchscreens unresponsive?

Dear Live Grand:

We bought my 81-year-old dad a tablet, but he has trouble with it because even though we can make the touchscreen work, he often can’t. Dad also experiences some confusion when we try to engage him in video calls and/or family Zoom gatherings.  ​He’s considering assisted living, and we are encouraging this, but even then, we want him connected with us electronically between visits. ​Does GrandPad address these challenges? – TH

Dear TH:

Since GrandPad’s are uniquely designed for older adults, the tablet’s touchscreens are sensitive to the touch of their often-drier skin. There’s a sturdy, easy-grip stylus included, as well, so your dad should be able to use the approach he prefers.

The GrandPad advantage goes much further though. Most older adults appreciate the large, uniquely colored icons that remain in the same order for predictable navigation. GrandPads also feature specially calibrated sound and front-facing speakers, which aid people with hearing deficits. To charge a GrandPad, the user simply places the tablet in the included cradle so there’s no need to keep track of a cord or fumble with a tiny charging port.

With a GrandPad, the video calls that you mentioned would be a breeze for your dad. When a contact called in, their picture would show on the screen, so he’d just tap Answer and they’d be connected. If he wanted to place a call, he’d touch his Call app, see the person’s image, and click call. That’s it! There’s even a streamlined Zoom app so he’d be able to join family calls with a few clicks.

Another aspect that our GrandPad users and their families appreciate is that the only people who can call or email are those whose information is added Contacts app by the family admin. That feature eliminates the worry of junk calls and spam.

Should your dad need assistance while playing a game or just want to ask a random question, he’d simply tap the large HELP button. A friendly human being would answer in short order, which holds true 24/7, 365 days a year!

There’s a wide choice of games available within the Games app, so your dad could play poker or bridge, do crosswords or Sudoku, play tic-tac-toe, or challenge himself with our popular memory game.

Music is a universal pleasure as well as excellent for brain health. The GrandPad Music app offers an abundance of choices from classical to country, religious to rock and roll, and R&B to relaxation. He could easily build his own Music Collection with the touch of a button.

The Radio app has great pre-sets like GrandPad Radio for music and talk, and if he currently has a favorite station, it can be added to his options. There’s even a toolbox that holds a flashlight, a magnifier, and a calculator.

GrandPad’s are incredibly versatile, TH, so your dad’s frustration with touchscreens and video calls would be history, while the other great features could add a whole new dimension to his life.

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