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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Alzheimer's / October 2007internet (firewalled?) for Alzheimer mother
My mother was moved into assisted living by my sister a couple of weeks ago, and it appears my sister basically took away her Apple Mac computer that had internet (free dial up). My mother is 80, just diagnosed with *early* stage Alz, is on aracept, and has voiced to me several times she wants her computer with internet. I understand my sister's concerns-- I mean we do not want our loved ones with Alz being victims to phishing scams, spam email, ordering ten thousand books off amazon or whatever. So, my question is, isn't there some way to set up a PC with internet and do some serious firewalling to give Alz patients very limited and controlled internet, so as to restrict who they can receive and send email to, what websites they can visit, prevent any online business transactions? (my mom never even did a single online purchase anyhow). I am a geek myself, I should think it is possible, just curious if anybody has done this, or if there are turn-key solutions available? I am familiar with MS-Windows, though I am mainly a unix/linux geek, well versed in Linux as my operating system of choice. I have virtually no knowledge of Mac OS. Another alternative I know little about is WebTV-- might that be a simple way to go, but then wouldn't that be harder to firewall to prevent online phishing, online purchases? Randall > My mother was moved into assisted living by my sister a couple of > weeks ago, and it appears my sister basically took away her Apple Mac [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > purchases? > Randall Randall you have to have a credit card to make purchases online. Does she order things by credit card? If your mother never did it in the past, she is unlikely to start ordering things online now. Web TV is simpler in that you can't save anything, but you can get email and newsgroups and see websites. You might want to consult a computer professional to get some further clarification on this, but maybe WebTV might be just the thing.  SignatureBest Regards, Evelyn ... > further clarification on this, but maybe WebTV might be just the thing. Simpler is best, so if WebTV can work, and she would not get into trouble, that seems like a potential route. She really wants, and NEEDs simplicity for internet. > ... >> further clarification on this, but maybe WebTV might be just the [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > trouble, that seems like a potential route. She really wants, and > NEEDs simplicity for internet. I agree with Evelyn about credit card ordering. If your Mom has no credit cards, she won't be able to order things over the Internet. In theory, she could order a credit card, but I think that's very unlikely given all the steps one has to deliberately go through to get one. I have never used WebTV. Knowing what TV's are like in comparison with computer monitors, my guess is that it's a big step down in readability. Also, if your Mom already knows how to use her own Apple computer, she might find that easier than learning something new, even if it is simpler. WebTV will probably also have a monthly cost, though I presume it's pretty low in the scheme of things. I think I might try the following steps: Check to make sure she doesn't have a credit card. That's probably the best thing to do anyway since it's hard to guarantee security in a place like an Alzheimer's home. Bring back the Apple computer and set it up. See if she can still use it. If not, then try WebTV. Finally, it seems to me that having a computer will provide some additional intellectual stimulation for your Mom. It won't make a big difference, but it might make her a little happier and more alert while she's still able to use it. Good luck. Alan >> ... >>> further clarification on this, but maybe WebTV might be just the thing. [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > > Alan You make good sense, Alan! SignatureBest Regards, Evelyn > My mother was moved into assisted living by my sister a couple of > weeks ago, and it appears my sister basically took away her Apple Mac [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > purchases? > Randall WebTV will cost you about 20. a month plus your mom will have to learn a new way of doing things online and this might be very difficult since often the ability to learn new things is what is lost first. WebTV will not prevent phishing in that the same offers can show up in your mom's incoming email. Give her back her Mac and just make sure she doesn't have a credit card available. I think as long as she does not have a credit card available then you do not have much to worry about, especially if your mom is in assisted living and does not have access to a car or her bank. She might really enjoy sending and receiving emails. It has been my experience that older people who mainly just do email and not a lot of surfing do not receive a lot of phishing requests anyways unless they also happen to receive lots of junk Fwd emails from well meaning friends who do not know how to copy and paste and instead just hit Fwd to resend jokes, junk mail, etc. You could also call your mom's credit card company Fraud dept. and have all online purchases blocked, assuming you are a co-signer on the account. AW |
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