Difficult request from my mother... She has asked for a typewriter. Any thoughts?

Don't forget about glasses with blue light protection if she buys any type of computer as opposed to electric or manual.

I second the idea of an "electronic" writing device and not a typewriter. My brother in law begged for a typewriter because he was no longer able to write legibly (Parkinson's) and his old computer's operating system rendered it unusable, or so he thought. We spent some of his money refurbishing a nice small portable typewriter we had kept in storage for him, only to have him find out that he couldn't press down hard enough on the keys to have it be legible. There are many adaptive keyboards available for folks with a variety of problems, so using one of those with an inexpensive laptop and a small wireless printer would be a good avenue to explore.

She would need an electric typewriter since she would probably never be able to press down the keys of a manual. Then there's the ribbon, the correction tape or any other accessory which will probably not be easy to find. I just looked on craigslist.org and found several in my area, so if you live in a metro area you should be able to find one (prices ranged from $50 and up). You will also need to ask permission of the admin to add another rolling table and an extension cord in her room (the staff may not like this). Your mom will need to be tutored on how to run it and insert the paper, etc. Hopefully she will retain it. I still have my Smith Corona and my kids and grandkids love hammering away on it.

Does Mom have anything like a tablet or a phone. Here is a site of wireless keyboards

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.

RD, whatever you decide to do, can you get another adjustable bed tray table that is used exclusively for the letter writing? Maybe heavy Velcro to keep it from moving or falling?

Maybe you just want to say, "Mom, I'm going to look into that".

Thank you all. I am going to see her tomorrow and discuss this more at length. I am nervous about anything that needs her to connect to the internet. Over the years that she resided in AL I had to close and open several credit cards due to her signing up for something that wasn't right whether it was charities, catalog memberships etc. She is not really living in a realistic state of mind. She thinks the bedsore will heal. I don't tell her otherwise although I believe that to be the case. I do cards for her but she doesn't have much to say to me to relate. She can be better on the phone at times. She is on round the clock pain medication due to the bedsore.

Hope this is not off-topic.
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.

Here's a Smith Corona electric typewriter for under $100 with shipping; I'd offer the guy $50 (best offer) and then $36.75 shipping, so you're in for $86.75 plus tax if applicable, and you're DONE. Give mom the typewriter which likely will NOT be the answer for her, but you will have satisfied her request for what she THINKS she wants, and that's that. Give her a ream of copy paper to go with it and hope for the best. An electric typewriter is the only thing that would possibly work, given her finger issues and the light touch required for an electric keyboard.


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!

Riverdale, have you thought about a voice to text app for a phone or tablet?

How about a tablet with a keyboard?

If one of your concerns is having something heavy around her that could fall on her or be hard for her to lift herself, I don't think a small laptop should be discounted. (She asked for one? Lots of people ask for lots of things, and we as caretakers do what we can, amending the request if something else is more feasible.)

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.

She has asked for a typewriter.

Amazon has a manual typewriter, black for $195.71.

IMO an old style keyboard is going to be more in keeping with the request for a typewriter, mini keyboards and touch screens are not as user friendly for anyone who has never used them and also has with arthritic fingers.

I’d consider a touch screen, either a basic ipad or pc. You can use either with an attached keyboard if that is preferred. You can also download a voice-activated app if she can’t use her fingers well at times. If you aren’t up with the technology, find someone.
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!

You can buy really small keyboards that would 'attach' to a computer. A small laptop or IPAD would sit in her lap or on a bedtable and wouldn't be heavy or take up much room.

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.

Riverdale, you might try donation entities, such as Salvation Army, Purple Heart, or others.   

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

Riverdale, I had no idea your Mom was dealing with all this and I am so sorry. I wish I had a clue what might work. Have you accessed any catalogs that deal with those with disabilities. I honestly have no idea what's out there, but I was hoping some sort of pad with enlarged key's or squares. Sure wouldn't help with printing, but could that not be done later on those things she wanted to print?

Can't help with the computer/typewriter, but if she has gout, her hands would be red and in excruciating pain. My mother developed gout in her hands, and you couldn't hold her hand, nor would she have been able to do anything like type with them. Her doctor also pooh-poohed the diagnosis until her hospice nurse went over his head to get a blood test to confirm it.

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.

Get her a computer with a real keyboard so that it functions as much like a typewriter as possible. You can set it up to save her documents automatically every few minutes so that losing her words isn't a concern, and printing can happen later when someone is there to assist with that.

PS - I'm glad to see that she is doing so much better!

Why can't she use a laptop? So much easier to type on then a typewriter. Then what she writes can be put on a flash drive and printed out for mailing.