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When visiting my sister in the nursing home I showed her my iPad. I found a simple tile matching game and she reacted very positively to it. I wondered if there is a tablet available that could be loaded with simples games, no ads, no complicated computer skills needed. I've seen tablets available for children and wondered if these would work. Any experiences or suggestions would be welcome. She has advanced dementia and is on hospice.

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She was able to use the iPad with your help. Because she has advanced dementia, it’s not reasonable to expect her to be able to remember how to use a tablet without assistance no matter how simple it is. Children can learn. Your sister cannot. You can bring it with you when you visit but I wouldn’t invest in anything with the idea that she could use it on her own.
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Reply to RLWG54
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I have not found a game without Ads. If you don't want ads then u pay for for it.

Look for some pads for children with games already downloaded. The pad maybe easier to use.
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Reply to JoAnn29
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There are a lot of mindless games, that I get addicted to.

Matching games, suduko, word search, they always come with adds. They are free games, if you want to get rid of the ads , there is usually a pop up that says pay this amount and you can play add free. I've actually never paid for it, so I'm not sure if it really gets rid of the ads, but if sister finds a game she really enjoys, it's probably worth a few bucks to try it.
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Reply to Anxietynacy
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Something like a table can disappear pretty easily in a facility. Maybe just bring your iPad when you visit.

My 95-yr old Mom has my old iPad with no internet. I downloaded a game app on it for her (no adds) and she enjoys playing it, but she's been using it for several years now. At first she couldn't get used to how to handle it so that she wouldn't mess up the screen and go somewhere else and get lost in it. Then there's the charging issue. This is not something for someone with advanced dementia or memory impairment. They cannot learn new things, no matter how simple or easy.
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Reply to Geaton777
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ElvaMK, it might be easier for your sister to use simple games that are in a regular booklet form (similar to a coloring book type booklet). I've seen such booklets in the Teacher section of Staples.


That way, your sister wouldn't need to worry about having to re-charge a device, figuring out how to turn it on and use it, or if it becomes lost it's wasn't that expensive to begin with.
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Reply to freqflyer
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You answered your own question, an Ipad.
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Reply to cover9339
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MacBooks are great and lots of schools use them so you can pick up a used and cheap one easily.
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Reply to RetiredBrain
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Check out Grandpad!
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Reply to DJBeach
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Ohwow323 Sep 12, 2024
Yes! It worked great for my daddy!
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Grandpad is made especially for dementia patients. I bought one and it worked terrific! It works on data not on wifi. It only allows those who are programed into the pad to call so no spam calls. Large buttons, it can access the web but that is specially set up and you need to contact Consumer Cellular for that set up. I just got it and had my daddy use it as a phone. It comes with games, news access, and you set up music, photos. It took a lot of stress off my worry about people calling!
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Reply to Ohwow323
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My mom had an iPad before she went to a care facility. She used to research on the internet and shop online. Once she started showing signs of dementia, it became pointless and, like her cellphone, a source of frustration. Yes, the games may be easy but the gotchas are the little things: turning it on/off. Knowing when the battery is getting low, recharging the battery. Turning the volume up or down. Losing her place by navigating somewhere unfamiliar and unable to return to where she was. It’s a great tool to use working with another person, but depending on her cognitive level, may be too frustrating for her to bother.
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Reply to Monomoyick
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Not worth the investment to buy one for your sister. Dementia is a very broken brain, making the patient unable to reason, use judgment or learn anything. Bring your own iPad to share with your ❤.
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Reply to Patathome01
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About a year ago, I bought my Dad (96yrs w/severe LBD) an Amazon Fire tablet for some simple games - about 2 weeks later, in a burst of anger because the game was cheating him, he threw it and it shattered beyond repair. So, I figured, maybe he really didn't mean to do that so I tried again - bought another - and this time it only took a day. So that was that! Not a good idea at all! Their brains aren't working properly and even simple games become intolerable for them. Lesson learned for me!
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Reply to Mamacrow
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Read / educate yourself on how the brain changes with dementia.
While your question is a good one (perhaps in some situations of early onset, if that), the more you understand how the brain is affected / changing, the better equpped you'll be on how to socialize / keep your sister as calm and 'happy' as possible. I'd start / try picture books
... wildlife (if they won't scare her)
... a bird book?
... flowres/gardening books?

You might be able to show her DVDs of these things although someone will need to be there to set up the machine for her. (I did this for my friend, giving the facility my DVDs/left in his room). I recall they likely didn't have the time (if inclination) to set up for him to view. They are overworked as it is and on a schedule.

It is very nice of you to try to figure out how and what to do for your sister. It is a learning process and often a challenge to figure these things out. God knows, I might be in your shoes helping my sister down the road. It is such a cruel condition (I think dementia is not a disease... I forget) although I know it isn't a given that everyone will acquire it.

Gena / Touch Matters
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