Advice, please Re: Kindle

PamelaSue72 · ‎09-22-2011

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.

Shop Till you Drop · ‎03-10-2010

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.

I am still oxox · ‎03-09-2010

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

Stop being afraid of what could go wrong and start being positive what could go right.

Cwoldie · ‎03-09-2010

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.

icezeus · ‎10-30-2010

@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.

jlkz · ‎12-02-2013

@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.

We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.
Sir Winston Churchill

judy0330 · ‎01-03-2011

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.

tansy · ‎01-02-2011

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.

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

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!

Little Way · ‎03-29-2011

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.