Any recommendations for a tablet/device with large keys/easier access for MSA sufferers?

[HertsChris]

hi, this may have been asked before, so apologies if so.

My dads condition has been getting progressively worse for some time and recently he has deteriorated quite rapidly. He has had a lot of adjustments already and now has an electric wheelchair, accessible bathroom and bed, etc.

I wanted to find out if there any tools that anyone would recommend to help with his condition, but also for communication and even entertainment?

He is now really struggling to use his phone and im going to get him a tablet of some description so he has a bigger screen and keyboard to use. I'm also thunking that audio books would be good for entertainment/mental stimulation.

Does anyone have any experience with any devices that they would recommend?

Many thanks.

Chris Hurne.

[Yanno]

Hello Chris, welcome albeit in sorry you need to be here. In your bio you say there's much to do but you don't know where to go for help. If you haven't done so, I would get in touch with the MSA Trust who have a wealth of information on their Web site and their nurses are so very helpful.

Your dad's issues with his phone are very similar to my wife Jackie's. I wouldn't rush out and buy a new tablet without first taking to a speech therepist and trying to get your dad referred to ACT - Access to Communication and Technology. bhamcommunity.nhs.uk/patien... This link is to the Birmingham centre but there are others elsewhere in the country. ACT did a complete review of Jackie's needs and have provided equipment to assist speech and to help her play Audible books etc.

Even before ACT were involved, Audible has been fantastic for Jax. She was an avid reader and now finds reading difficult. Audible has given her hours of enjoyment reading new books every month. In the short term your dad could access Audible on his phone. I switch Jax's phone to car mode which gives a full screen for her to tap to start or stop the reading.

I notice you are newish to this forum. There are so many who have experienced just the same issues as you and so please just ask away if you need any questions answered.

Take care, Ian

[Hidden]

Hi, we had an ipad. My dad's energy levels for being able to concentrate on audio books/verbal things or dexterity games declined, so we switched to gentle music videos etc on youtube. It seemed to help him to have some visual stimulation, (although we think his vision may have had funny colours/floaters in it). His head was kinda stuck at one angle, so we could position the ipad on a cushion.

If he got bored with a programme he would doze, or look away with an expression of 'if you show me one more nature documentary -you're fired' 🙂

Best of luck, Kx

[Polesden]

nnothing to do with msa but my mum had bad eye and got talking books from rnib. Free v useful

Suue