The Nonagenarian

Whether she was 70 or 80, Mother was not interested in using new media. The flightiness of a cursor, being tied to a chair in front of a large screen, everything about using computers deterred her from learning to use them. Now that she is 90, I had given up hope of finding a tool that would make her life easier. Her hearing and sight are fading. Large print books are the only technology that engages her mind. That is until she used my tablet.

Using her finger instead of a mouse is easier. The size – 10 inches – and weight – 1.5 pounds – is not cumbersome. She can sit in her favourite chair and flip through photos – or linger if one captures her imagination. She actually asks to borrow the tablet. She has never asked to use technology. As I write this she is manipulating my tablet happily, reliving the 48 hour party through photos. Empirical evidence that ease of use is essential.

I thought she would have trouble navigating. Once explained, she is now independent. She even understands what to do if it goes to sleep. Simple things that she just refused to learn with a PC or a netbook.

If you have been struggling with keeping your nonagenarian’s mind engaged, try a tablet. The next lesson will be how to use the apps. I’m afraid to show her how to download them. I may never get my tablet back!