<p>My 82 y/o mom (never used a computer)wants me to sign her up for an email device that plugs into her landline jack, has a keyboard and little screen so she can send email. It would be @mailbug.com</p>
<p>I think an ipad would be better but she doesn’t want to learn how to use or have anything to do with computers :)</p>
<p>Wondering if anyone is familiar with Landel mailbug or has suggestions on best ways to get email to her. There were some reviews that these devices are unreliable. Total cost is about 250/year.</p>
<p>yes and no on internet. I was there recently and was able to get on the internet with a laptop but it was a neighbor’s unsecure wifi. She would not be ok with this longterm.</p>
<p>She lives in a >55 community and the comcast cable is part of the monthly fee and her phone is At&T</p>
<p>An elderly friend of the family who we refer to as Auntie L____, age 92, has used a similar device for the past 10 years or so. It’s been invaluable for helping her keep in touch with friends all over the country. The downside is the limitation on text-only emails. You can’t send photos or links. It’s also a little unwieldy to have to plug it in to the phone line whenever it’s in use. I tried to teach Auntie how to use a laptop with dialup, but she just couldn’t grok it. </p>
<p>I think an iPad would be a good option if your mom be willing to reconsider. You can load it up with family photos to start with so she forgets it’s a computer :D</p>
<p>Does she have a cable modem? My mom has Comcast but no computer (she’s 83 and does everything on a smart phone!) so had to ask for a modem which had wifi for when we visited. They gave her one at no charge. I set it up a few week ago when I was there so I could use my laptop and not have to hijack someone’s network.</p>
<p>My mom (84) has a MacBook and an iPad. We’ve spent a lot of time dealing with her computer issues and are hoping that the iPad ends up being her go-to. She emails and surfs the web. She doesn’t like the “keyboard” on the iPad and I’m considering getting a separate, real one for her to use.</p>
<p>Her apt building has cable Internet included- we provide the wireless modem.</p>
<p>My MIL used a simple email device (I’m not sure it’s the same model) from around 2007 until 2009, right up until a few months before she passed on at 89. </p>
<p>She was happy when one of her sons provided it, because she was “in the loop” again with all her younger relatives (children, grandchildren). </p>
<p>What sometimes frustrated her a tiny bit was a limitation on text lines per email. When someone sent her a longer note, it arrived in several segments. But she managed. </p>
<p>When someone wanted to send her a picture, they couldn’t, but they sent to her son who printed it off his computer and brought her over a hardcopy. </p>
<p>She especially enjoyed saving a few favorite messages, to reread whenever she pleased. After reading a new email, as I recall, her only two choices were delete or save. She understood the few icons provided.</p>
<p>It was a very positive improvement for her, and made her quite happy. At the time, there was no choice for ipads or tablets, so we never weighed that choice.</p>
<p>Does she enjoy reading?
How about a Kindle Fire?
My DH has one, loves it for reading but also emailing and some websurfing.
It allows the font size to be adjusted…great for anyone!</p>
<p>My mom in her late 80’s uses a laptop, but my vote would be for an iPad. It’s much easier to use. It can be used in bed or while sitting in a chair. You’re not limited to using it while sitting at a desk. Sorry I’m not familiar with the mailbug.</p>
<p>My 85-year-old MIL uses a desktop PC that’s set up to make it easy to access e-mail. She likes the big screen, and being able to see pictures. I also set her up to watch a live stream of a concert with her granddaughter.</p>
<p>Thanks for the ideas. I ended up getting her the smaller IPAD at verizon and connected it to my account. The guy was so great and set it up with a gmail acct, solitare etc and they shipped it to her overnight at no additional expense. We’ll see if she uses it. I debated the larger one and hope I don’t regret my decision, but it felt heavier to me and I think she will prefer sitting in her chair with the smaller one. She can speak into it and the machine will type her message for her. very cool.</p>
<p>busyparent–we have the 1st G iPad and now the mini also connected to Verizon. I used the mini today and yesterday while traveling and I love it! The vastly improved speed and lighter weight are huge advances. </p>
<p>One suggestion would be some sort of thing to prop it up on. I have not yet investigated options but have seen both the basic case with the cover that folds back but also saw something in a Frontgate or Brookstone catalog that reminded me of those sleep wedges used in baby cribs a while back. This will only be helpful if she uses it for long stretches, but I grew tired of holding it and wished I could prop it.</p>
<p>I dropped off an iPad 2 with data plan ($30/month) in December at my mother’s house so that she could communicate with the rest of us. She has not used it to my knowledge. Two of my sisters showed her how to use it when they stayed with her in January but I don’t think that she will use it without more training and with more of a reason to use it. I’m probably going to pick up the device in a month or two though I’ll ask her if she uses it.</p>
<p>This is a pretty hard problem. I think that we’re somewhat limited to using the phone for communication or driving over to her home.</p>
<p>The problem my mother had with the iPad was with the sensitive touch screen. Her fingers are a little shaky and she seemed to have a hard time finding the right place to touch, or the right pressure to use. I was hoping she could use the iPad’s Kindle app to read books but she kept accidentally turning the pages because she was touching it inside the border. And then she could never remember how to turn it on and off… :(</p>
<p>In her case, you can’t teach an old dog new tricks (she’s 91!).</p>
<p>With my mother - I think that it’s a matter of motivation. She has a laptop from the 1990s that she used with AOL. She hasn’t used the laptop in a long time but she did use it in the past. I am wondering if I should get her a laptop or desktop with a broadband connection - she might feel more comfortable if it was set up as a computer instead of as a tablet as she has done that in the past.</p>
<p>This computer stuff for older people is difficult (not for all of course).</p>
<p>This computer stuff is is not only tough for older people, but for younger “technology-challenged” ones. My H has a very hard time with technology. Fortunately, it comes easy to me so I can figure it all out and explain it to him (although it may be many times before he finally gets it).</p>