As some here know my mother is in SN from a septic infection that made her bedridden. Then she was dropped 9 months after that and her femurs were broken. They healed but she developed a serious bedsore which has to be treated daily. She also recently developed cellulitis.
She can read and I try to bring her different forms of reading material. She is compromised but basically still has alot of her mind. She has always loved to write in different forms but also to family and friends. Her handwriting has become very poor. It was never that good to begin with. She has asked for a typewriter. Before all these setbacks she used a computer. She had a printer in the AL section she used to be in.
If I were even able to find a suitable one it would have to sit on the bedside table that her food is put on. She has her drinks, eyeglasses, TV control and reading material there also. The phone is put on her bed for part of the day. I was wondering if I might be able to find a typewriter made for children. It would take paper.
I can get so exhausted with her needs but I feel bad that her life has become so limited. I worry about the safety of an item like this resting above her. I primarily concern myself with her health issues and trying to communicate about them with the staff and advocating on her behalf when I feel confused about one of her many ailments. Yesterday I spoke with the doctor on staff about treating lumps that have formed on some fingers which was diagnosed as gout during one of her hospital visits yet he claimed is not gout but can be drained by a dermatologist as he claims they are cysts. We went around in circles but I at least impressed upon him that she needed to see someone before mid June which I was told was the soonest she could be seen.
My question is whether anyone knows about such an item. I googled it but found mixed reviews. I also just wonder if I am trying to follow through with a difficult request.
PS - I'm glad to see that she is doing so much better!
If you still suspect gout, make sure she's not drinking lots of Ensure. My mother's gout was traced to the vast amounts of sugar in that stuff. We put her on the diabetic version, and the gout went away.
Another option is antique stores. That's probably where my old electrics will go. Although this is a long stretch, museums also might have some that they're willing to sell.
Having grown up using a manual typewriter, electric typewriter (Selectric) and now a computer, I can also state that computer keyboards are NOT easier to use, nor are they as easy on the hands, wrists and arms.
The reason I write that computer keyboards are not as kind to a person's limbs is b/c of the position of the hands when using them. The keyboard is flat, not angled. The movement of the wrist, hand and fingers changes.
Just searched and found a few Selectrics available, but they're expensive, in the $400 - 500 range.
In the mid 2000s, my aunt found a special type of typewriter that also could be Internet connected. I don't recall what it was, but it was streamlined for use by older folks. I think I've seen them advertised in the AARP publications.
Try this URL. I found some decent buys there:
"AARP, typewriters for older people", or
https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&biw=&bih=&q=AARP%2C+typewriters+for+older+people&iflsig=AHkkrS4AAAAAYhEmdzm8PvW-uZk6jwYZtwu2cWUXZ0Fw&gbv=2&oq=AARP%2C+typewriters+for+older+people&gs_l=heirloom-hp.3...1643.8374.0.8498.34.12.0.22.0.0.134.1235.4j8.12.0....0...1ac.1.34.heirloom-hp..23.11.1151.izAIblVQn4c
BE SURE to keep track of the various sign in info--my DH has been to his mom's to retrieve her passwords many, many times. She never can remember. My mom has used her little IPAD once and forgot the password after that and now it just sits gathering dust.
I make a lot of use of my iPad, which is inserted in a Folio case well worth the expense if you can afford and if regular typing is desired. It is connected to my printer through wifi. If space is limited, this would be ideal, since it just folds up and ipad is always protected and she could tuck away anywhere. There are also multiple apps she might enjoy, including the news.
Good luck with this!
Here is a link to one article: https://www.interimhealthcare.com/about-interim-healthcare/news-media/news-desk/tablets,-ipads-make-good-investments-for-elderly/
Amazon has a manual typewriter, black for $195.71.
They make small laptops with 11" screens. They're so lightweight that one can pick them up with one hand, and they don't do much damage if dropped on a foot, etc. I have a tiny Lenovo that I like; it cost me $75 on sale. Asus and Acer make reliable and affordable 11" laptops, too. Newer laptops all come with access to "the cloud," in which documents are essentially stored on the internet and can be downloaded and printed from other computers that are set to share access. Flashdrives/thumbdrives are also a cheap, easy way to store documents one wants to save. They're about the size of a baby carrot. You plug it into the side of the laptop, save your document into it, and then it can be taken and plugged into another computer for printing. I understand about not being computer savvy, but it doesn't take much computer knowledge (I should know). Still, if you have a younger niece, son, neighbor who's willing to help with this set up, you could have your mother writing down her thoughts in no time.
I also understand about already being overwhelmed with responsibilities. "I'm giving up so much to try to do the right thing, and now you want me buying what and learning how to use it?" I get it. I hope you and your mother find a happy solution.
PS. I'm working with a gentleman of 94 right now who wrote his memoir on a laptop at the age of 93.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/284660905810?hash=item42471cb752&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3AAQAGAAADQLpZciUYLcsse9cFu9qqe6eT7Up9EBjf274laEtZnJxb2kAtfLOnPqYQljZIbxgpde7%252Fdpc%252BymdGv1rdr5vQFdGAJ6m7JR6sLx24UqkuZFQ24NeN4l9zFC6Y5ICDW55Zu%252BxJZjxnqK8suBEpFf9PCwfLUNlOfJLm3v2Qx%252FBuO7tpEmxlIQ9KZh539IendH4TOMUf9FvdGGCOK%252FFu90PKg4hOU06nncWPSKaiysxAv%252F6uzLVAZVmrz6IQRb%252F2zlTyREcAkTfoVaVzv8f0eW9Qe6%252BJghxz4tIqRe1ofi1SOQgOpeFtLlQw1HapHD0KsZLIYc04PTJGIVboe9pb8DV3h90SdAizvvIcLh8x74CsJBGRRac2WkJ2x5BHI4GFCgXO13TSm%252BfPAHj1f1ifYNRuVODB2dfAWfVnSx20zSNwtHn8drwhRN33t%252F8jgONBKIeVIqHVMtGPYN9r2mz8drYkL902WeKRThQAqXBJTdrH98ezc9i7QxWiDZALRoSEOCHtQdO5oWVQUJU6zPlFW3tgO%252FMp2%252BcPeAM4%252FNkErBVaSCBgAZt5Og%252FkdD3mVkaUJqawG%252FRlggkbibSlCyea2tuIyE%252FvWOL1recACbjykCu28a1jaVofaSAKIBLzLOLfqvtJzqoC6bJG6iWIRYY%252FmT2AJqRytL%252BG%252BPfSx%252BeTVbo5V2LZ%252BIuWYJ2kpET%252BilYU74hSpH93H%252FBQ7u%252BVcKEpodoUoPwzGv%252FsaOaCzemkU5jlx0aMbDanzSPooR%252FGVjV%252FSCOv2XEv7wRiv59OBYiVa6SpB73QuoSSMEEKhUK%252FIudVMAkAVqq9OhmXQr8qgSmrqo5X%252BsfS9lt2KEg6SY7hLbTqBmDTVFGWEJrWktQPvbQ93Q0QFAuxz3ytd9h3eiXB%252FGH0434nj2flAkFN2t4faA0mlQuUxIhCnU3vbRK9fM5aEvqmHHHrBNPd9Off7LCli8NjWhJdH16tIUx2f1VvjPmNZIwOGAgHadO7XGn6FIDhm%252B4xGuhJvDFOMlLjPTtGUPh0FYc55WwnOp63GNWd0q6XCKT8yS72rlD37KAg1KxPZ8hK0pxnIpv0STeygoY3sWlrX6Ff2iWg%252FYeZBvk4D3d%252B97s%253D%7Campid%3APL_CLK
If there is another request after the typewriter doesn't work, I'd go over to Best Buy or wherever and check out what's available in a small laptop computer model with a separate keyboard. Which is likely way too confusing and complicated for her to operate, which is why the typewriter is a cheaper alternative for the time being.
Best of luck RD!
One of the most cherished treasures/keepsakes that I have is a letter hand-written from my friend's Viking Mom.
Years after she went into care, she wrote me, always called me her adopted daughter.
The handwriting is barely readable.
She thought that I would make a good secretary, and she could dictate the letters to me.
You might be able to get someone to help your Mom with that, then help mail the letters.
I will still probably feel a little guilty but unless I am going to lug some device to her I think it is sadly pointless. She has lost a desire to get out of bed. Restrictions have been lifted and I felt sad seeing all the residents eating together at a table. As I walked the halls to track down her NYTimes ( they can't seem to get her correct room number from when she was on the rehab hall ) I just found myself saying to myself "How long will this continue" which also makes me feel bad that I feel this way. At least I got her the paper, her Starbucks drink and she was happy. My husband told her about the latest historical event on the island we live on. Then we go and have a coffee and pastry and just wonder. She is getting 2 different types of pain medication a day. For the time being I am not going to pursue this but I really do appreciate all the warming responses.
https://www.logitech.com/en-us/products/keyboards.html
If you scroll down on the left and u will see:
BLUETOOTH MULTI-DEVICE KEYBOARD K480
Switch typing between your computer, phone and tablet
I have one of these and as u see no internet is needed. My tablet comes with Microsoft Word. I just turn it to bluetooth set the tablet in the little grove and start to type. It measures about 12x8. Not heavy and uses AA batteries so no plugging in. Batteries seem to last a long time. For something like this, you can get an inexpensive tablet or refurbished. If she likes to read download a Kindle app and download a few books. She can't use WiFi if she doesn't know the password. So just tell the staff that she is to have no access to the internet. Both my tablet and phone are Samsungs.