I have searched for months and can't fine a portable CD player that I think my LO who has significant dementia can operate. She can barely operate a very basic tv remote. I know she will get confused and frustrated with most CD players that have various options. Even those for children, seem to complicated. I have been looking mainly at those for kids. Do you think she would be embarrassed to be seen with that kind at the ALF?
I find it odd that no company seems to have addressed this need. I want just a portable CD player with on/on, play, ff and repeat. I'm not sure why that isn't available anywhere.
I actually started this thread last year around this time. I ended up getting my cousin that Sony Walkman and she enjoyed it for a couple of weeks. Then she took a downward turn. We had to place her in a Secure Memory Care facility and she never was able to use the Walkman. The Walkman was lost during her move.
She isn't able to handle anything like that now, however, for her birthday next week, I'm getting her a regular radio to go on her nightstand. I'm going to see if one of the staff at her memory care unit will turn it on in the morning and out at bedtime. I know she will enjoy the music, but she doesn't have the ability to remember what to do with a radio.
The Lakeshore suggestion was perfect. They have the most basic CD player I've found. OMG. I'm so excited. I may just go with it before Christmas. I think she can operate that one.
For right now, I decided to go with something very simple for my cousin who's in AL. I got her a Sony Walkman Radio. It's old style and has just on/off, station dial and vol. It's lightweight and she can clip it on her waistband and use it as she sits on the patio or in the visitor rooms. We'll see how that goes.
For Christmas, I'll revisit the CD player idea or even better a DVD player. She can't follow movies, but I think she would enjoy concerts of her favorite artists on DVD.
Musicandmemory.org uses ipods and earphones to reach dementia patients who are no longer communicating with the outside world. They have a documentary trailer on their site which is really exciting to watch!
I'll keep looking and check with the ones you suggest.. I want to give it to her for her upcoming Birthday.
I think it was an RCA player but it's been so long that I don't remember. And unfortunately I-Pods are all the rage now.
You might try electronics stores specifically, not the big box stores that cater to current whims, but stores that focus more on a variety of electronics.
Another option would be to search online for suppliers of assistive devices (like Sheldon Medical Supply) and contact them to see if they know of anything. You could also call local DME suppliers and ask if they can guide you to a portable CD player.
Occupational and physical therapists also have catalogues of various assistive devices. If your LO gets therapy, you could ask them. Or perhaps call your LO's PCP or the doctor who's treating her for the AZ.
The Alzheimer's Assn. might also have some suggestions, or perhaps the Area Agency on Aging, which in SE Michigan hosts Caregiving Expos annually at which a lot of device manufacturesr and/or distributors have booths.
I honestly don't think she would be embarrassed by using a children's type CD player; it might be that she would just think it's a pretty color.
Sadly and unfortunately, manufacturers look to the larger markets for their products, not those who might be a smallar market but still need something useful. It's all about targeted marketing and $$$$$.
Good luck.