Kindle(or other e readers) for the elderly?

<p>I love my kindle and can even ditch my reader glasses if I’m using the big font, but I hope she has someone to help her put on her support socks and help her to get around some everyday. DH broke his hip a few years ago (in his mid 40’s) and putting those socks on him was quite a chore for me, but it’s really important to support circulation and ward off blood clots. In the hospital they had him up and using a walker within a few hours of coming out of anesthesia; this is probably really tricky with a broken arm. I’d be pretty concerned about clotting if she can’t move around some. Do they have her using a continuous passive motion machine?</p>

<p>Anyone else experiencing Kindle or Nook?
Probably a gift for graduation…</p>

<p>Stores with better prices?</p>

<p>My 85 year old mother in law has had a Kindle for around three years - she loves her Kindle - reads it every day. When she has problems with her eyes being tired she just increases the size of the print. She really absolutely loves her Kindle!</p>

<p>Thanks singersmom! OK decided, “Kindle” will be my Kid’s graduation gift.</p>

<p>greenery - If you have a Barnes and Noble nearby, you can go test drive the Nook. I did that, and ended up buying the Kindle, and I adore it. The user interface on the Nook has gotten generally poor reviews, and I agreed that it wasn’t intuitive. But some people love them. </p>

<p>I decided that the selection of E-books at my library just wasn’t good enough to tip my decision toward the Nook. Though it irritates me that I can’t check out library books on the Kindle, its other virtues make up for it. I love that it has a web browser that one could use in a pinch to check email, get directions, etc. (I don’t have a smart-phone, so to me this is a cool feature).</p>

<p>Musicmom - is there a list on the Kindle page of the free books? I can usually find some by going to the bestsellers list, but would love to go straight to a more cohesive listing of the freebies. </p>

<p>Regarding the backlight, all the manufacturers have discovered that backlighting is to be avoided, since that’s what causes eyestrain if you look at a computer screen all the time. The E-ink technology does make it feel like you’re reading from paper. When Sony made its reader with built-in lighting on the sides, the screen glare was terrible and the product was a failure in the marketplace. So I don’t imagine successful built-in lighting will come anytime soon.</p>

<p>FauxNom-</p>

<p>I’ve bookmarked this page on amazon. It has the links for the free kindle books on OTHER websites out there. They are older titles:</p>

<p>[Amazon.com:</a> Free Book Collections: Kindle Store](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/b/ref=amb_link_83950151_8?ie=UTF8&node=2245146011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=browse&pf_rd_r=1RVCGXN12Y1HCXABE2HF&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1199791042&pf_rd_i=1268197011]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/b/ref=amb_link_83950151_8?ie=UTF8&node=2245146011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=browse&pf_rd_r=1RVCGXN12Y1HCXABE2HF&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1199791042&pf_rd_i=1268197011)</p>

<p>This page has a small selection of free stuff for kindle:
[Amazon.com:</a> Great Deals on Kindle](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Great-Deals-Kindle/b/ref=amb_link_85650291_12?ie=UTF8&node=1268197011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=left-1&pf_rd_r=1PBJB7A2RRAAPZ3YKS2J&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1248847422&pf_rd_i=1286228011]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Great-Deals-Kindle/b/ref=amb_link_85650291_12?ie=UTF8&node=1268197011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=left-1&pf_rd_r=1PBJB7A2RRAAPZ3YKS2J&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1248847422&pf_rd_i=1286228011)</p>

<p>I also check the bestsellers kindle list for the more current freebies.
I haven’t spent anything for books since the first one at Christmas before I knew better.
Probably will pay for recent releases if it is really interesting…otherwise I jus wait a bit.</p>

<p>I was sure I wanted a Nook. Aesthetically, it was just more appealing. After reading about both, and trying out a Nook, I ended up with the Kindle. I really love it. Love the ease of use, the large print, the fun of having a new book whenever I want.</p>

<p>Just got one for my 85 year old mother-in-law and she is having a blast. I also have her password for Amazon, so I have ordered books for her and charged them to my visa. She is so delighted when she opens up her kindle and finds a new book. </p>

<p>I understand that Amazon is working on a new version - ah, technology, hard to keep up with the newest toys.</p>

<p>Oh, and I love those covers by Oberon, but I opted for a well padded zippered sleeve so I could toss the kindle in my purse and take it with me wherever I go.</p>

<p>Thanks, musicmom!</p>

<p>What type of covers would posters recommend? I cannot decide. Since my MIL loved hers so much my H bought me a Kindle for Christmas. With the Kindle I can travel sans the heavy books - useful these days with luggage weight limits!</p>

<p>As I mentioned, I went for protection. I don’t keep a cover on my kindle when I am at home, but I slip it in this cover anytime I am heading for an appointment or to travel. I bought mine in red.</p>

<p>[Amazon.com:</a> M-Edge Kindle 2 Touring Sleeve - Black: Electronics](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/M-Edge-Kindle-Touring-Sleeve-Black/dp/B002EDS076/ref=tag_tdp_ptcn_edpp_url]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/M-Edge-Kindle-Touring-Sleeve-Black/dp/B002EDS076/ref=tag_tdp_ptcn_edpp_url)</p>

<p>I also read my Kindle nude (it, not I) when at home. Love the light, thin feel of it.
Opted for protection when going out:
Belkin neoprene zippered case:
[Amazon.com:</a> Belkin Neoprene Kindle Case (Fits 6" Display, Latest Generation Kindle) [Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging]: Electronics](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001NPDA44/ref=wms_ohs_product]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001NPDA44/ref=wms_ohs_product)
$25 and free shipping.
I also bought a very inexpensive clear ‘skin’ that I keep on at all times. The Kindle case was actually slippery in my hands and I did fear dropping it. $5ish on ebay.</p>

<p>I had researched the beautiful leather book like covers with elastic straps to hold the kindle and found many people unhappy with them. The Kindle would sometimes slip out of the cover and crash.</p>

<p>I have the same neoprene case and like it a lot. It is really padded.</p>

<p>To find free books for Kindle, it is easiest to use your computer From the Kindle store, pick your category to get the complete list. Then sort by price, low to high. All the free ones show up first. You can also sort by star rating in addition to the price.</p>

<p>Another Kindle thread! Another chance to share how much I love mine! </p>

<p>In response to various posts: reading on the beach is no problem because it’s not backlit. You do, of course, have to be careful about keeping the sand out of it! </p>

<p>Choice of a cover will come down to personal preference. I got this one from M-Edge:
[M-Edge</a> | Products | GO! Jacket for Amazon Kindle (Fits 6" Display, Latest Generation Kindle)](<a href=“http://www.medgestore.com/products/kindle2-go.psp]M-Edge”>M-Edge GO! Jacket for Kindle 2) It’s like the “official” leather one from Amazon, but without the logo. I really like how the Kindle fastens into the cover – it’s very secure. Plus, I wanted a cover without the loop & strap that fasten the cover. I leave the cover on all the time, and just fold it behind the Kindle when I’m reading. When I need extra light, I use this one by Mighty Bright:
[, Book Lights, Music Lights, Craft Light, Magnifiers, LED Lights, Music Stand Lite and Lites](<a href=“http://www.mightybright.com/Book_Lights/106/ProductDetail.html”>http://www.mightybright.com/Book_Lights/106/ProductDetail.html&lt;/a&gt;)
I just clip it on to the folded back leather cover.</p>

<p>As previously noted, Amazon uses the Sprint network to deliver books. You can check the Sprint website for their coverage map – especially good if you’re going on vacation to someplace remote/abroad so you can load up on books before you go.</p>

<p>The adjustable font size is wonderful – don’t need my “cheater” glasses.</p>

<p>The other advantage of the adjustable font size is that I can read in low light - like early morning in bed, when DH is still asleep. I can read with big font, without turning on a light. Makes for a happy, well rested hubby ;)</p>

<p>The page that lists links to all the free content web sites and how to load from them to your computer to the Kindle.</p>

<p>[Amazon.com:</a> Free Book Collections: Kindle Store](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/b/ref=amb_link_193569822_3?ie=UTF8&node=2245146011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=right-1&pf_rd_r=0XT06YK046PS7EE1SDS1&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1201771022&pf_rd_i=133141011]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/b/ref=amb_link_193569822_3?ie=UTF8&node=2245146011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=right-1&pf_rd_r=0XT06YK046PS7EE1SDS1&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1201771022&pf_rd_i=133141011)</p>

<p>Singersmom07-</p>

<p>I had listed that link on this thread a few days ago.
Good to see others know it and post it for newcomers.</p>

<p>This link is good also, to the Amazon page with free Amazon Kindle material:</p>

<p>[Amazon.com:</a> Great Deals on Kindle](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Great-Deals-Kindle/b/ref=amb_link_85650291_12?ie=UTF8&node=1268197011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=left-1&pf_rd_r=1PBJB7A2RRAAPZ3YKS2J&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1248847422&pf_rd_i=1286228011]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Great-Deals-Kindle/b/ref=amb_link_85650291_12?ie=UTF8&node=1268197011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=left-1&pf_rd_r=1PBJB7A2RRAAPZ3YKS2J&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1248847422&pf_rd_i=1286228011)</p>