The iPad for Seniors: A Guide
The iPad comes in many different models with different storage capacities. Do you want to know which iPad is best suited for those of us with a more respectable age? Then read on!
Why an iPad for seniors?
More and more seniors are going digital: they have a smartphone, arrange everything online and they Skype a lot. What seems very obvious to the young among us, is certainly not the case for everyone. Especially if you did not grow up in the digital age, using this technology takes a little more effort. Fortunately, the iPad makes it all a little easier. There is little that can go wrong when using it. And its large screen, fine operation and logical navigation ensure that you get the hang of it in no time.
Now we understand that you might find buying an iPad a big investment. iPads can indeed be quite expensive. Fortunately, you can already get a better deal if you just stick to the standard applications. Buying a slightly older or second-hand model also saves a lot. Would you like to buy an iPad that is as good as new with a guarantee, but don't want to pay the full price? Then take a quick look at our wide range of refurbished iPads !
Which iPad is suitable for seniors?
To determine which iPad is suitable, it is important to know what the iPad will be used for. After all, everyone has different hobbies and interests. Many like to play a game of Wordfeud, others collect stuff with Catawiki. Even creative hobbies such as drawing and painting can easily be done on the iPad. There is an app for every hobby. The iPad can also be used perfectly as a photo album, TV guide or newspaper, but then digitally. All these activities determine how much storage capacity you will need.
Are you going to use the iPad for applications such as above: surfing the internet, downloading a number of apps and storing a nice selection of photos? Then you will often have enough with the lowest storage capacity of 32GB or 64GB. Do you want to store more photos and videos later? Then you can also use iCloud.
When choosing an iPad, you can choose a model with WiFi or 4G . 4G means that you can also use the internet on the go. These models are often a bit more expensive. Does your iPad not have 4G, but only WiFi? Then you can only use the internet if you can connect to a network, such as the one at your home, at other people's homes or in some public places. So if you use your iPad a lot at home, you can safely choose a WiFi iPad.
Whether an iPad is suitable for seniors also depends on the size, and in particular the screen size. The smaller the size, the harder it is to press the right keys. So choose a larger iPad size, such as one of 10 inches or larger. That is a screen of almost 25 centimeters diagonally.
How do you set up an iPad?
Did you recently purchase a new iPad from a store? Then it is ready to use. Unlock the iPad and follow the steps. Are you taking over an iPad from someone else? Then it is best to completely reset it. Go to Settings > General > Reset. Here, tap on 'Erase all content and settings'. The iPad will restart and you can now follow the steps. You can choose to set up the iPad as new, which will then be completely empty. You can also choose to restore a backup from your iCloud account, if you already have one. All this data and content will then be transferred to your new iPad.
Adjust font size
The letters on an iPad can be a bit small. You can then enlarge the font.
- Go to Settings
- Go to Accessibility (or General on iOS 12 or earlier)
- Tap 'Weather graph and text size'
- Open 'Larger Text'
- If necessary, enable 'Larger text sizes'
- Use the slider to adjust the text size
Tip: The best apps for seniors
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Wordfeud
In other words, Scrabble! Were you also good at it when you were younger? It is great fun to play this classic board game on your iPad again. Install the app and play against friends or strangers. If you are not familiar with the app yet, read here how to install it! -
Einstein's brain gymnastics
Did you know that you can train your brain, just like a muscle? This app does just that. With daily small brain exercises you keep your mind sharp and flexible! There are a number of small puzzles in it, ranging from mental arithmetic to spatial insight.
At the end of each exercise you can see your brain score. Fun to keep track of your progress! Download the app here. -
NOS Teletext
Do we need to explain this one? Teletext, but on your iPad. Follow the latest news via the familiar Teletext, without having to use your television. Scrolling through the Teletext menu is even better on an iPad! -
Facetime
Apple's free video chat app. This handy app comes standard on an iPad. With this app you can have free video or audio calls with anyone who has an iPhone , iPad or Mac . All you need is a 4g internet connection or Wifi connection.
The small camera lens on the front of your iPad captures your face, and the screen shows the face of the person you're calling. You can even have group calls with multiple people, up to a maximum of 32 people. Want to know more about FaceTime? This handy article explains exactly how to use FaceTime. -
Solitaire
Also known as Patience, this app brings the addictive solo card game to your iPad. If you're tired of Patience, you can also play other card games like Freecell or Hearts.
