Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Trying to put together a care package for a friend. What should go in it? (self.Blind)
submitted by andale_papasito
Hi all:
I have a good friend who is in her late 60s. As a result of a stroke, she has recently become seriously visually impaired. My friend said she is about 75% blind in both eyes. Furthermore, her husband died last year. So in addition to dealing with her grief for the loss of her husband, she is struggling with what she sees as a loss of her independence. We don't live in the same state. Although I can't be there for her in-person, I want to let her know that I am thinking about her and offer her some hope. What sort of things could I buy to put in a care package for her?
I thought I might buy her something like an Amazon Alexa because that sort of device would allow her to play music, ask about the weather, ask the time, buy things if she wants, etc. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I have a good friend who is in her late 60s. As a result of a stroke, she has recently become seriously visually impaired. My friend said she is about 75% blind in both eyes. Furthermore, her husband died last year. So in addition to dealing with her grief for the loss of her husband, she is struggling with what she sees as a loss of her independence. We don't live in the same state. Although I can't be there for her in-person, I want to let her know that I am thinking about her and offer her some hope. What sort of things could I buy to put in a care package for her?
I thought I might buy her something like an Amazon Alexa because that sort of device would allow her to play music, ask about the weather, ask the time, buy things if she wants, etc. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
faerylin 3 points 2y ago
Alexa is my friend. She will make grocery lists, can call people, remind me of things, tell me a joke, play music. I love that anytime I remember something I need to do or groceries we need I can tell alexa and she keeps it all sorted for me.
codeplaysleep 2 points 2y ago
Alexa + a Nest thermostat has been awesome for me. Small, backlit LCD displays of most digital thermostats are difficult to see. The Nest has a big, bright, high-contrast display and can be voice controlled by Alexa if you don't want to/can't look at that.
It's probably out of OP's price range and needs to be installed by someone with a minimal level of skill and a reasonable level of vision, but if you're an Alexa user, it's a worthy investment.
It's probably out of OP's price range and needs to be installed by someone with a minimal level of skill and a reasonable level of vision, but if you're an Alexa user, it's a worthy investment.
faerylin 1 points 2y ago
That's awesome! I never heard of it. Thanks I'll check it out for if we ever buy a house
niamhweking 3 points 2y ago
Cd books. Very large puzzles, word searches. What are her hobbies? There are meal kits that have everything measured out and prepared, you just need to cook and serve. A digital subscription to her favourite magazine
vwlsmssng 2 points 2y ago
> Cd books.
Great idea!
OPs friend is late 60s so could still have a tape player rather than a CD player, or they could even have been an early adopter and be a smartphone or MP3 player user. So best to ask how they listen to music already,
Similarly there could be a talking newspaper service locally.
Great idea!
OPs friend is late 60s so could still have a tape player rather than a CD player, or they could even have been an early adopter and be a smartphone or MP3 player user. So best to ask how they listen to music already,
Similarly there could be a talking newspaper service locally.
grinchnight14 1 points 2y ago
I had to restrain myself to not make a Call Of Duty reffrance when reading the words Care Package lol.
codeplaysleep 1 points 2y ago
Alexa is a great idea. You might want to consider gifting her an Audible subscription to go with it.
Other things I use that help a lot:
* Measuring spoons in bright colors, so I can easily tell which is which
* A talking food thermometer
* A very bright flashlight for when I have to take the dog out at night or forget to take the trash to the curb until 2am.
* A bone conduction headset (Afterhsokz) so I can listen to my phone (music, navigation, voiceover, etc.) while still hearing what's going on around me - important for safety.
* Bump dots for the touch controls on my oven (need to get some more now that we've moved)
Other things I use that help a lot:
* Measuring spoons in bright colors, so I can easily tell which is which
* A talking food thermometer
* A very bright flashlight for when I have to take the dog out at night or forget to take the trash to the curb until 2am.
* A bone conduction headset (Afterhsokz) so I can listen to my phone (music, navigation, voiceover, etc.) while still hearing what's going on around me - important for safety.
* Bump dots for the touch controls on my oven (need to get some more now that we've moved)
MRMeneer 1 points 2y ago
lIKETHE OTHERS HAVE SAID THE a LADY DEVICE IS GREAT ONCE IT IS SET UP. IT DOES REQUIRE AN APP ON THE PHONE TO ACTIVATE AND GET IT GOING. THEN ITS ALL GOOD.
aSK YOUR FREIDND WHAT WOULD HELP. iTS HELPS TO SUPPORT THE REGAINING OF SENSE OF CONTROL AFTER SUCH A SIGNIFICANT LIFE CHANGE.
SUGGESTIONS AND SUPPORT TO FACT FIND MAY BE USEFUL.
MAYBE A SMART LIGHT BULB TO GO WITHTHE A LADY DEVICE (A LADY DEVICE THAT HAS A HUB) WOULD BE GOOD SO SHE DOES NOT HAVE TO WORK OUT WHERE THE LIGHT SWITCH IS FOR ONE ROOM AT LEAST.
REGULAR PHONE CALLS TO LISTEN IS USEFUL INITIALLY THIS MIGHT BE THE BEST THING AS SHE JUST NEEDS A SOUNDBAORD.
lEVEL INDICATOR TO USE IN CUPS IS CHEAP AND A GOOD START.
BUT BEST IS TO ASK HER WHAT SHE STRUGGLES WITH THE MOST AND SEE IF YOU CAN HELP WORK AROUNDS FOR THOSE ISSUES RATHER THAN DETERMINE WHAT OTHERS THINK FROM A DISTANCE. eACH PERSON IS UNIGUE.
tHERE IS SOMETHING CALLEDTHE ONE TOUCH KETTLE. IT DISPENSES THE EXACT AMOUNT INTO A CUP EACH TIME AND BOILS THE WATER.
aSK YOUR FREIDND WHAT WOULD HELP. iTS HELPS TO SUPPORT THE REGAINING OF SENSE OF CONTROL AFTER SUCH A SIGNIFICANT LIFE CHANGE.
SUGGESTIONS AND SUPPORT TO FACT FIND MAY BE USEFUL.
MAYBE A SMART LIGHT BULB TO GO WITHTHE A LADY DEVICE (A LADY DEVICE THAT HAS A HUB) WOULD BE GOOD SO SHE DOES NOT HAVE TO WORK OUT WHERE THE LIGHT SWITCH IS FOR ONE ROOM AT LEAST.
REGULAR PHONE CALLS TO LISTEN IS USEFUL INITIALLY THIS MIGHT BE THE BEST THING AS SHE JUST NEEDS A SOUNDBAORD.
lEVEL INDICATOR TO USE IN CUPS IS CHEAP AND A GOOD START.
BUT BEST IS TO ASK HER WHAT SHE STRUGGLES WITH THE MOST AND SEE IF YOU CAN HELP WORK AROUNDS FOR THOSE ISSUES RATHER THAN DETERMINE WHAT OTHERS THINK FROM A DISTANCE. eACH PERSON IS UNIGUE.
tHERE IS SOMETHING CALLEDTHE ONE TOUCH KETTLE. IT DISPENSES THE EXACT AMOUNT INTO A CUP EACH TIME AND BOILS THE WATER.
TheBlindCreative 1 points 2y ago
Hi. Helping your friend sign up for the NLS to get free access to audio books can go a long way.
The Alexa is a great idea. What are her hobbies? Also, has the stroke caused any impairments that could impact her movement? Knowing this could help determining what other adaptive tools might be helpful.
Making things helps me work through stress. Considering her current situation, maybe some craft supplies could be fun. She might enjoy loom knitting. It is an easier learning curve compared to crocheting or needle knitting in my experience.
Blindness complicates staying active. A Pilates mat and some resistance bands might be helpful.
She might also like a Keurig coffee machine. I am just a tea and occasional hot chocolate drinker, so I never use the special cups that goes with the machine, but the machine will automatically stop filling your mug with hot water depending on the size that you select. There are other ways of safely filling a cup with hot water while blind, yet she might find this method easier at first. Having the autonomy to make your own coffee, tea, or whatever else can go a long way.
The Alexa is a great idea. What are her hobbies? Also, has the stroke caused any impairments that could impact her movement? Knowing this could help determining what other adaptive tools might be helpful.
Making things helps me work through stress. Considering her current situation, maybe some craft supplies could be fun. She might enjoy loom knitting. It is an easier learning curve compared to crocheting or needle knitting in my experience.
Blindness complicates staying active. A Pilates mat and some resistance bands might be helpful.
She might also like a Keurig coffee machine. I am just a tea and occasional hot chocolate drinker, so I never use the special cups that goes with the machine, but the machine will automatically stop filling your mug with hot water depending on the size that you select. There are other ways of safely filling a cup with hot water while blind, yet she might find this method easier at first. Having the autonomy to make your own coffee, tea, or whatever else can go a long way.
NonstopBus 1 points 2y ago
If you do an alexia you could also match it with Audible for a new book or series she might enjoy. Audible is owned by Amazon so they pair seamlessly!
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