Is there a way for someone who has arthritis in his hand to use an ipod
By suspenseful
@suspenseful (40193)
Canada
March 12, 2009 12:55pm CST
My husband's left hand is so crippled with arthritis that he cannot move them and I have to move the fingers for him. In fact, his left hand is in a fist most of the time. Now he loves audio books and he has most of them on cds and on the computers. But he was thinking of getting an ipod so he can listen to them and not stay in the computer room or put the cds on the cd player.
So I was wondering if there were any ipods that were easy to use for the disabled or handicapped, something with big buttons?
3 people like this
6 responses
@gitfiddleplayer (10362)
• United States
12 Mar 09
The iPod touch is very sensitive and just a mere touch can activate it. You might try that.
3 people like this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
12 Mar 09
One of those pens like for PSP games etc would work great I think.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
14 Mar 09
That might work better. The touch is a bit expensive, almost as much as an Iphone. Of course, me wanting things that do everything,
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
12 Mar 09
Well, I am hoping he will be able to use one. It can be tiring siting in front of a computer or television listening to music. It is good to be able to go to elsewhere when you need to be alone or have space or just want to relax.
2 people like this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
14 Mar 09
They are expensive though. But it would be easier to listen to his audio novels on one rather then going to the computer or use a cd player all the time.
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
12 Mar 09
Not that I am aware of.
But a pencil like object might be of assistance?
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
16 Mar 09
He cannot grasp that well, so a pencil like object might not work. Anyway he ordered a classic Ipod and it seems the indentations are large enough so he can manage it. Very expensive though, but it does hold a lot so he will have room for all his audio books. And I could use it as well.
Myself I would not buy one myself, but for a gift, I would like one. 
@ElicBxn (63235)
• United States
12 Mar 09
the iPod touch is all done on a touch screen - I don't know about other systems - if he can use one hand and you can load them, then maybe you can work it out, but watch how you name things and be sure not to put on shuffel, or who knows what you'll end up with.
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@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
13 Mar 09
Okay thanks. I will see if that works, but it is a bit expensive and we were thinking of getting a lift chair, so do not know how we can manage both.
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@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
13 Mar 09
I sure haven't heard of any and a quick search didn't yield any results. Has he tried using a pencil or something to touch the buttons with? I know, a pencil isn't easy to hold but you can wrap it in foam pipe insulation to make it easier to hold. When my mom was having trouble I bought some cheap foam pipe insulation and put in on our silverware as well as on her walker handles and it helped a lot.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
16 Mar 09
A pencil will do no good. He has those large soft foam around them pens and even they do not work. In fact, I have to do the writing for him. His arthritis is so bad that he has to do one finger typing and he has no grip and he is also losing that in his right hand as well.
@suzzy3 (8342)
•
12 Mar 09
Maybe an old fashioned tape player might be the idea with ear phones if he can grip a stick he can push the buttons with that,just an idea only my son has an ipod and the buttons are so small.I feel for your husband no one can really know wnat it is like for you two love suzzy3
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
13 Mar 09
We do have an old fashioned tape player, but that would mean that he cannot start again in the middle, he would have to check where it is and wind to that spot. So it would be more labor intensive. I was thinking of something where you divide the book into chapters, and instead of starting at chapter one all the time, and then fast forwarding to chapter 22, he can just press the button.
