topic Re: Advice, please Re: Kindle in Electronics

Advice, please Re: Kindle

PamelaSue72 — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 16:08:15 GMT

My 96-year-old MIL is in a nursing home. She is an avid reader, no television, just books, books, and more books.

She called my SIL this morning in tears. She's having trouble reading even the large print books from the library.

I'm wondering if I could buy her a Kindle, if she would be able to read larger fonts, perhaps more bolded fonts, etc. I have a Nook Tablet that I'm not using that often to read anymore because I use my iPad for everything now, including reading. I suppose that would work, too. But it might be a little complicated for her.....I really don't know. She has a cell phone (not a smart phone, just a regular clam shell) and she pretty much understands how to use her phone. She is 96 and her physical body is failing; her mind is sharp, very sharp.

Would you make a good, solid recommendation for a nice Kindle for her, please? It doesn't have to have the internet as she will use this strictly for reading. I highly doubt the nursing home has WiFi, but then again, I guess it would need the internet for me to download library books for her..

If it works out OK for her, I know pretty much what she reads and who she has for favorite authors. I can bring the KIndle home, download 3-4 books from our library and then take it back to her. When she's finished reading those books, I will simply bring it home again and download more books for her.

But I want something that's not difficult for her to handle, something that she'll be able to read and enjoy. Does that make sense? And can somebody help me, please? I don't need a top-of-the-line Kindle as she's going to use it for reading purposes only.

I want to keep her reading for as long as I can and as long as she can do so. She deserves any pleasure she can get.

Thank you.

Re: Advice, please Re: Kindle

Shop Till you Drop — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 16:09:00 GMT

I believe Amazon still makes a e-reader which is very simple to use, not confusing at all. I know you can enlarge the font from normal to very large. I think it is a good idea to put some books on it before giving it to her so she has a nice option of what she enjoys. Good Luck.

Re: Advice, please Re: Kindle

I am still oxox — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 16:20:44 GMT

Someone will have to make sure it is charged or she will not be able to use it

Re: Advice, please Re: Kindle

Cwoldie — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 16:22:41 GMT

my mom is in a nursing home and they have wifi.

i think a kindle for her is a great idea. You can adjust for her the size of the font for her when you are there and make sure she has a number of books downloaded. As she gets more comfortable using it you can "train" her on ways to use it.

Re: Advice, please Re: Kindle

icezeus — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 16:22:45 GMT

@PamelaSue72

I have the Kindle Fire, that I use just as an e-reader. It has other functions. I just prefer my laptop or my phone for those other tasks. However, you can set it up for your MIL by simply downloading the books that she wants to read, change the background and print type and more importantly the font. which you can make ridiculously large.

Re: Advice, please Re: Kindle

jlkz — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 16:23:28 GMT

@PamelaSue72

Some considerations: she may drop the device; it may be stolen.

if her hearing is good, try audio books. How about movies from her favorite era that can be shown on her TV ?

Either way, good luck and may she enjoy whatever works.

Re: Advice, please Re: Kindle

judy0330 — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 16:30:34 GMT

The Kindle has changed my 96 year old mother-in-law's life. Her eyesight is really failing (she has had Glaucoma since her early 40's and just had surgery because the pressure in one of her eyes had gotten alarmingly high) but she can still read. She too was having trouble with large print books and didn't like audio books. She still reads 2-3 books a week and the Kindle has opened up a whole new world where she can read any book she wants. She has had no trouble navigating it. My sister-in-law downloads the books for her. In terms of which Kindle to buy -- I would suggest doing an online chat with an Amazon rep.

Re: Advice, please Re: Kindle

tansy — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 16:40:54 GMT

She may really dislike how few words are on the Kindle page with the large font feature activated. I would see how she feels about an audio book.

Re: Advice, please Re: Kindle

Sooner — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 16:48:58 GMT

Older people are like all of us, they are all different. If she is willing to learn it, and enthusiastic about it you may be onto something.

If she resists, she'll never like it, so give up and return it. You will know pretty soon if she likes it or not.

Load ONE book to begin with, so she isn't confused by navigating the whole library. Also, be sure she can charge it, chances the staff won't.

Been there, done that, this is what I learned! LOL!! GOOD luck!

Re: Advice, please Re: Kindle

Little Way — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 17:04:42 GMT

If an e-reader doesn't work for her in the end, maybe try a "stand magnifier." It's a device that you can a put a book under and it magnifies the page - the magnification area is large - so it's not like you are using a magnifying glass and have to move the book around. Am*z*n sells various kinds and sizes - and you can always return it if it doesn't work out.

Re: Advice, please Re: Kindle

software — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 17:45:27 GMT

It will come up missing.

I go with trying some type of magnifyer.

@PamelaSue72

Re: Advice, please Re: Kindle

Tribesters — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 18:27:24 GMT

@PamelaSue72

I think just the basic kindle would be a good option. If she likes to read at night & has low-lighting then I would suggest the paperwhite. I would be sure to install a “lock code” on it. That may deter someone from stealing it. Plus if it registered to your Amazon account I doubt anyone else would be able to get much use out of it. They wouldn’t be able to download any books.

I bet bet amazon will have a good price on all the Kindles for Black Friday. If you can wait that long.

Re: Advice, please Re: Kindle

mima — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 18:48:44 GMT

Keep in mind that she will have to have internet to download books. If there is not internet in the nursing home, you will have to take it home and do it for her.

I think the Oasis will download books without wifi, but it is expensive.

Re: Advice, please Re: Kindle

jackthebear — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 18:51:14 GMT

@tansy wrote:
She may really dislike how few words are on the Kindle page with the large font feature activated. I would see how she feels about an audio book.

a tablet with the kindle app?

bigger screen with more words,

I use my iPad with the Kindle app and like it more , I like the big screen,

Q just had those fire tablets perhaps one of those might work

Re: Advice, please Re: Kindle

mima — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 19:31:29 GMT

Re: Advice, please Re: Kindle

goldensrbest — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 19:13:49 GMT

@software wrote:
It will come up missing.

I go with trying some type of magnifyer.

@PamelaSue72

My husbands i pad was stolen, he was in hospice at a facility.

Re: Advice, please Re: Kindle

software — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 21:58:03 GMT

@goldensrbest wrote:
@software wrote:
It will come up missing.

I go with trying some type of magnifyer.

@PamelaSue72
My husbands i pad was stolen, he was in hospice at a facility.

Special place in you-know-where for someone who steals from a hospice patient.

Re: Advice, please Re: Kindle

Kachina624 — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 22:47:34 GMT

I think pad-types of devices are very difficult to hold for long periods of time. I use a device like the one pictured made by Lapworks and available on Amazon. I can hold it literally in the palm of my hand for hours with no effort. It makes a world of difference in my enjoyment of my pad.

They are available in sizes to fit all types of pads.

Re: Advice, please Re: Kindle

PamelaSue72 — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 23:21:41 GMT

Thank you for your advice!

She cannot use audio books because her roommate has the tv on all the time, pretty much 24/7 and she can't hear that well to begin with, let alone over the blaring television. When we go to see her, we have to take her out to a community room just to talk because the television is so loud. Audio books are out.

I asked her about a magnifying glass, but she doesn't want one. As for holding the Kindle, I would also get a cover for it, so it would be pretty much like handling a book. That's what I use for my iPad and it works out well.

No WiFi; I asked. I will bring the Kindle home and download books for her. She will have to keep it charged. She understands and keeps her cell phone charged.

As for stealing, yes, I've thought about that. But I really don't know what else to do. We would use a PIN or something and it would be on her account at the library; she would only use it for library books....at least for now. (My iPad uses my fingerprint as ID.)

I think you're right in that I'm going to have to talk to somebody at Amazon. Like I said, I'm not looking for anything exotic for her. I want something that's very simple for her to use.

I just feel so badly for her. When she cried this morning, it broke my heart.

Thank you for helping me!

Re: Advice, please Re: Kindle

Big Sister — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 23:27:48 GMT

I have two suggestions for simple E-readers.

l. Amazon still has the 6" touchscreen for $79.

2. " A manufacturer refurbished Kindle Keyboard, 6" with page press."

It is the one I use and don't want anything else, so I have bought them

refurbished on Ebay, 'cause Amazon doesn't make them anymore.

I can usually find an almost new one for under $70.

It is not lighted, however, but that's okay with me.

IHTH