Blind and Visually Impaired Community
↑
13
↓
Technology for a Blind Family Member (self.Blind)
submitted by Whoismikejones12
Hi Reddit,
My 70-year-old uncle recently lost his sight due to glaucoma. Although it took some convincing, I was able to get him to move closer to me so my family and I can take care of him.
My uncle still lives by himself. I go to his new apartment in the morning, clean his place, make him food, and make sure he takes his eye drops. He is then alone until I finish work. I then cook him food and make sure he is taken care of until he is ready to sleep.
So far he has gotten acquainted with living without his sense of sight. He can find the restroom, bathe, pour himself coffee or liquids, and turn on the tv.
Now he only listens to sports and news channels, and I feel he should have access to more entertainment content like podcasts, audiobooks, music, radio. Do you have suggestions for easy-to-use technology where he can easily switch between content options? What other tech should I get for him to make his life easier? Thank you so much for your advice!
My 70-year-old uncle recently lost his sight due to glaucoma. Although it took some convincing, I was able to get him to move closer to me so my family and I can take care of him.
My uncle still lives by himself. I go to his new apartment in the morning, clean his place, make him food, and make sure he takes his eye drops. He is then alone until I finish work. I then cook him food and make sure he is taken care of until he is ready to sleep.
So far he has gotten acquainted with living without his sense of sight. He can find the restroom, bathe, pour himself coffee or liquids, and turn on the tv.
Now he only listens to sports and news channels, and I feel he should have access to more entertainment content like podcasts, audiobooks, music, radio. Do you have suggestions for easy-to-use technology where he can easily switch between content options? What other tech should I get for him to make his life easier? Thank you so much for your advice!
xmachinaxxx 11 points 1y ago
An Amazon Echo dot may be a very good option for him. If he has internet, he can listen to podcasts, music, Audible books, it can tell him the time, the weather, and even has built in games he can play with Alexa.
niamhweking 7 points 1y ago
Kindle, Google nest, amazon echo.
Even old fashioned cd audiobooks.
Depending in where you live some of the national charities for the blind will do a postal library sending out cds or mp3/USB sticks with books
Has he any usable sight?
What were his hobbies before his vision loss? Can they be adapted
Is there a local old folks bus that collects and drops to a day centre, weekly activity
Even old fashioned cd audiobooks.
Depending in where you live some of the national charities for the blind will do a postal library sending out cds or mp3/USB sticks with books
Has he any usable sight?
What were his hobbies before his vision loss? Can they be adapted
Is there a local old folks bus that collects and drops to a day centre, weekly activity
carolineecouture 7 points 1y ago
I second this! The echo can do all sorts of stuff in addition, such as reminders and alarms. If you have an echo, you can do "drop-in" and connect with him via voice. It can read Kindle books and audiobooks. You can also set up timers/routines for waking up and going to bed.
Whoismikejones12 [OP] 4 points 1y ago
>hioned cd audiobooks.
>
>Depending in where you live some of the national charities for the blind will do a postal library sending out cds or mp3/USB sticks with books
>
>Has he any usable sight?
I had no idea these things were possible. I live in Texas and I'll have to look for charities and things like that. Thank you!
Unfortunately, he doesn't have any usable sight. He is one of those people that doesn't want to spend his time with doctors, so he spent a lot of years getting his glaucoma untreated. It certainly was a big wake-up call for me to improve my communication with my doctor.
>
>Depending in where you live some of the national charities for the blind will do a postal library sending out cds or mp3/USB sticks with books
>
>Has he any usable sight?
I had no idea these things were possible. I live in Texas and I'll have to look for charities and things like that. Thank you!
Unfortunately, he doesn't have any usable sight. He is one of those people that doesn't want to spend his time with doctors, so he spent a lot of years getting his glaucoma untreated. It certainly was a big wake-up call for me to improve my communication with my doctor.
niamhweking 7 points 1y ago
Would something like a pottery wheel, be a good hobby? Also food wise getting delivery boxes like (again I'm not US based) eastro, drop chef, delivery everything you need for a meal, with the exact amounts ready to go and the recipe is included to follow along.
It takes out the chopping, measuring, fine motor skill part yet still takes 30-40 mins of his day to be busy
You could choose the meals alongside him online and then when they arrive leave a dicatphone with the (simple) instructions read out
It takes out the chopping, measuring, fine motor skill part yet still takes 30-40 mins of his day to be busy
You could choose the meals alongside him online and then when they arrive leave a dicatphone with the (simple) instructions read out
niamhweking 5 points 1y ago
National federation for the blind, lighthouse are 2 American ones, there are probably more local ones also
I find perkins school for the blind website is helpful
I'm not based in the US, sorry
I find perkins school for the blind website is helpful
I'm not based in the US, sorry
Whoismikejones12 [OP] 2 points 1y ago
Thank you for that :) I'll check out their content to see if there are things he likes, Spanish-speaking content, and things like that.
SOLZEEDOG 1 points 1y ago
My blind grandma orders audio book tapes for her tape player all the time free, to return them you just flip the address card on the tape over and drop it off in the mail
bradley22 3 points 1y ago
You could look into the clasic shell phone: https://www.blindshell.com/eshop/blindshell-classic
WorldlyLingonberry40 2 points 1y ago
You are not in the U.S. Where are you? Perhaps we could link you with local organizations.
balla_mang 1 points 1y ago
I'm in Texas. Don't hold it against me
WorldlyLingonberry40 1 points 1y ago
My friend could give you some good resources. He was telling me about a program called OIB that provides services to seniors. Also, he has contacts within the NFB of Texas..
balla_mang 1 points 1y ago
That sounds awesome. I'm so glad I asked you guys for help :)
Outrageousirish 2 points 1y ago
Go Apple all the way. The one thing they do well is being able to integrate. So Hey Siri will work on the phone, computer, tv, smart house stuff.
Do they charge too much? yeah. Would I buy the stuff if I was blind? Yeah
Do they charge too much? yeah. Would I buy the stuff if I was blind? Yeah
suitcaseismyhome 2 points 1y ago
I would say 'that depends'.
Outside of the US, apple isn't as common, and the products you list are also not as commonly set up.
I was swayed by this sub and bought an ipad and it's my biggest regret. I'm looking at a Samsung tablet now as for me Android is far better than an apple product. (It does sound like the OP is in North America, possibly, but I want to point out that 'go apple' isn't always the right answer for everyone)
Outside of the US, apple isn't as common, and the products you list are also not as commonly set up.
I was swayed by this sub and bought an ipad and it's my biggest regret. I'm looking at a Samsung tablet now as for me Android is far better than an apple product. (It does sound like the OP is in North America, possibly, but I want to point out that 'go apple' isn't always the right answer for everyone)
bradley22 1 points 1y ago
What makes android better for you?
Outrageousirish 1 points 1y ago
Sorry I thought Apple had pretty much penetrated the globe at this point. My point is that is the one thing they do do well is make everything work with everything else.
suitcaseismyhome 2 points 1y ago
That may be true. I am just ready to throw my ipad out the window most days because I cannot figure out the 'great' accessibility vs my Samsung. Nor can the Apple genius bar, nor my low vision therapist.
It may well integrate well, but for the 'other' I don't like it. And 70 isn't that old so the uncle may well want to branch out eventually. (and Android is still generally the phone of choice in much of Europe, Asia, Africa etc especially in the low cost phone market with brands like Wiko, etc)
It may well integrate well, but for the 'other' I don't like it. And 70 isn't that old so the uncle may well want to branch out eventually. (and Android is still generally the phone of choice in much of Europe, Asia, Africa etc especially in the low cost phone market with brands like Wiko, etc)
Outrageousirish 3 points 1y ago
I have a Mac plugged into the speakers. I can talk to the phone and have the music, book or whatever come out of the speakers. If there is a phone call it goes to both the phone and mac. If O answer that call the volume on the speakers will be muted. Or if I want to start a shopping list the volume on the speakers will be muted. If I am out and I start listening to something on my phone when I get home that can go straight to the speakers. Or if I leave whatever is on the speakers can go straight to the phone.
TechnicalPragmatist 1 points 1y ago
Learn to use an iphone and other assistive tech.
Is it possible he learn independent living skills so he can live on his own again, do all this for himself so you don’t have to.
Also learn to use a cane. And get around independently?
Is it possible he learn independent living skills so he can live on his own again, do all this for himself so you don’t have to.
Also learn to use a cane. And get around independently?
This nonprofit website is run by volunteers.
Please contribute if you can. Thank you!
Our mission is to provide everyone with access to large-
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
©2023 HumbleCat Inc • HumbleCat is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Michigan, USA.