iPods for Older People
Older people are often resistant to the idea of new technology and the iPod is no exception. If your older relative does not own a computer, the barrier to introducing them to the iPod seems insurmountable, but it doesn’t have to be that way
Why might the older person use an iPod
- iPods are portable, go anywhere devices
- Music is stored in one place, with no need for fiddling with CDs, or even tapes
So the older person can listen to their music in more places than they ever dreamt of:
- Around the house as they move from room to room
- Out walking
- Whilst exercising
If they get an iPod touch, they can also use it to:
- Email friends and family
- Research topics and information
- Keep up with the news and weather
- Research and arrange travel plans
And all iPods can be pre-loaded, so your ageing parent does not have to negotiate iTunes if they don’t want to
Which iPod is better for the older person?
There are four options which are reviewed below :
- ipod Shuffle
- iPod Nano
- iPod Classic
- iPod Touch
iPod Shuffle
| Pros | Cons |
| Small, light compact. Very easy to useEasy on/off switch. Limited controls volume, forward, back, pause and play, so uncomplicated. Good choice of colours. Not expensive. Reads out track name at push of button | Can’t choose the song/ music comes at random.It is small. No screen. No internet access, or email. Easy to misplace as so small |
iPod Nano
| Pros | Cons |
| Small, light compact.Touch screen – but this can be a disadvantage. Easy on/off switch. Only options are volume, forward, back, pause and play, as well as shuffle, so uncomplicated. Good choice of colours. Not expensive | It is small and fiddly. Not easy to read the very small screen. No zoom facility or option to change font size. No internet access or email. Easy to misplace as so small |
iPod Classic
| Pros | Cons |
| Can hold a vast amount of tracks. Larger than a Nano. Has a good range of functions. Is easier to read. Is not a touch screen. Can watch movies | Has no zoom or ability to later type. Is bigger and heavier to put in your pocket. Has no internet or email facility |
iPod Touch
| Pros | Cons |
| Bigger than a Nano and same size as an iPod classic. Has the most functions than the others I podsIs easier to read. Allows access to the internet. Allows access to many useful apps, including great games and information, e.g. GPRS. Allows email.Zoom works by fingertip to make reading easier. Can watch movies | It needs an internet connection to work for all its functions apart from music. It is bigger and heavier than a Nano. Expensive |
So the choice is yours, depending on how you think your ageing parent might use an iPod. Give it a go, however, as they will use them if they have the confidence to do so and you can give them that. Or get the grandchildren to teach them…great bonding and they can probably explain it better than you can!
