Computer for Bedridden Person with Sight Issues

vicrip on 02/09/2022 - 15:05

A friend is bedridden, but can sit up. He also has problems with cataracts and glaucoma, so seeing clearly in a distance is an issue. He hasn't been able to use his PC for over a year.

I'd like to help him get back into selling, searching and doing emails again. I'm sure it will help him come back from the depths of depression, from being in this situation.

Was thinking of a laptop with a 15.5" screen (don't think this will be big enough, so may have to be a separate monitor on a bedside table) Also a separate USB keyboard and mouse, as the laptop keyboard would be awkward.

Just wonder if anyone has helped someone in this situation?

Open to any creative solutions, think it would change his life to be connected to the internet again.

TIA.

Computing

Comments

  • Presence on 02/09/2022 - 15:07
    +2

    A big TV at the end of the bed?

    • CrowReally on 02/09/2022 - 15:10
      +2

      I like this, run a HDMI out from the laptop to the TV.

      With a good enouigh bluetooth keyboard and mouse you don't even need to have the laptop on the bed itself.

    • vicrip on 02/09/2022 - 15:20
      +1

      He has one, but with eye problems, it's difficult to see small text clearly.

      • newbo on 02/09/2022 - 21:39

        Maybe a lowered ceiling mount? Would have to think about safety, but it might be worthwhile in the longer run.
        There are certainly settings to increase the size of text. Maybe invert the contrast on the text?
        There must be some online communities that can be found that can help guide in the way of hardware/software/settings that can give him a better experience.

      • ShannonN on 03/09/2022 - 06:10

        can he get cataract surgery or is it too far gone? also when you say bedridden is he paralyzed or just very sick?

  • AustriaBargain on 02/09/2022 - 15:16
    +1

    iPad? Holding an iPad up to your face is probably easier than holding a laptop or TV close to your eyes. It has options to make text big for things like browsers and email. Some kind of AR goggles would probably be perfect, if only such a product existed yet.

    • vicrip on 02/09/2022 - 15:22
      -2

      Sorry, forgot to say, we wouldn't have any Apple products in the house.

      Bad company and unreliable hardware.

      It's also difficult to hold it up to your face, scroll around and type at the same time.

      • AustriaBargain on 02/09/2022 - 15:29

        But Apple is a better company than Samsung, Google, or Microsoft. And their hardware and software is more reliable than Android or Windows. If they happened to sell the best device for your friend would you really rule it out over your own feelings about Apple products in their house?

    • CodeExplode on 03/09/2022 - 07:04

      I've got an android tablet for working in bed and don't enjoy it. They're a pain to hold without constantly touching the edges of the screen, since they're flat thin slices with no easy way to hold and prop up except with your fingers wrapping the edge. I got it to replace an older laptop since I was pretty fast with swipe typing on my phone, and laptops aren't super comfortable either, but honestly it wasn't an upgrade (doesn't help that google can just completely redesign the floating gboard design on a whim like they did a few months back, which has killed my usage quite a bit, whereas a laptop keyboard is a static type of input no designer can mess around with once you're used to it).

      IMO the only real solution is a table that they can swing in front of them with a place for a laptop or keyboard and mouse, like a hospital food table.

  • try2bhelpful on 02/09/2022 - 15:17
    +4

    Personally I would look at putting a monitor on one of those hospital tables the cross the bed. I got a second hand one of those a few years ago for a recumbent exercise bike.

    Has he looked at getting the cataracts done? My sister had hers done and was very happy with the results.

    There is, also, software so you can get emails and text converted into voice.

    I wish your friend the best. It must be very trying to be sick like that.

  • dirtybigbjelke on 02/09/2022 - 15:26
    +3

    Various places I have worked have employed people with vision impairment. Some of them used what is basically a large screen magnifier in front of the screen, there's also software that can magnify a selected part of the screen.

  • pharkurnell on 02/09/2022 - 15:26
    +5

    Have you tried callin Vision Australia??

    They've been doing this sort of shit for those with bad eyes for decades and should be able to aim you and some working suggestions

    https://www.visionaustralia.org/
    https://www.visionaustralia.org/technology-products/resource…

    • vicrip on 02/09/2022 - 15:30
      +1

      Thanks very much, will give them a try.

      • cookie2 on 02/09/2022 - 17:54
        +2

        Good on you for being a great friend and recognising an issue that must be really impacting your friend and trying to help them.

    • O O on 03/09/2022 - 01:05

      That's right, they've been doing this sort of shit for decades consistently 😆🤣😆

      Large computer monitors

      Depending on your level of vision, a simple solution to improve your access to your computer is purchasing a larger sized monitor.

      A standard computer monitor or screen is 17 inches when measured diagonally. Replacing a 17 inch monitor with a larger one gives a greater screen area for the same image so the image appears larger.

      Before purchasing a larger monitor, it is important to check if your existing computer system will support the new monitor.

      • CandyMan on 03/09/2022 - 13:27

        Very clever indeed

  • vicrip on 02/09/2022 - 15:29

    Unfortunately, he's a big boy and not many places can handle him. There's a long waiting time at the Melb Eye and Ear for Bariatric patients.

    It's impossible to get a visiting Ophthalmologist to visit him at home.

  • GordonD on 02/09/2022 - 15:43
    +3

    Hospitals solved this problem with a touch screen and attached keyboard on an expensive spring-counterbalanced arm that can be positioned anywhere the patient likes. The equivalent for an ordinary person would be one of those one-sided meal tables for people in bed, with a monitor and keyboard on it, that they can position in front of them or push out of the way when not needed. The difference from a meal table is that you want it to be flat, whereas you want a computer table tilted.

  • spackbace on 02/09/2022 - 15:44
    +3

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/722380

    Place on movable bedside table like mentioned above, use as a convertible and flip it round so it's just the screen, add a BT keyboard and mouse - done

    Touchscreen will make it a lot easier to zoom in and out on screen

  • morse on 02/09/2022 - 18:36
    +2

    Maybe reach out to an organisation like lifetec https://lifetec.org.au/our-services/

    I’m unsure about funding different age ranges and disabilities in different areas but there are service who are specialists for things like this.

    Also see Vision Australia for vision specific services https://visionaustralia.org/vic . I know in qld at least they have occupational therapists that can assist with these kinds of things.

  • Morien on 02/09/2022 - 23:29

    “The meaning of life is to give life meaning.”
    ― Viktor E. Frankl.

    It's good that you are looking out for your friend. Time to get creative.

    Let's start by trying to use what he already has. "He hasn't been able to use his PC for over a year." But he still has one? Let's start there.

    You could get a monitor and attach it to a VESA mount. You'll either need a floor stand mount, or something to mount it to. Quick google turned up this.

    Then get some Bluetooth peripherals (keyboard, wireless mouse, wireless trackball, air mouse, cheer pod, etc). Some that he can just put out of the way when they aren't needed.

    Could then use one of those wireless hdmi attachments (though I'm not sure how well they work).

    The idea is that there aren't any cables to get in the way. Not sure of his mobility concerns, but you don't want him getting tangled.

    You'll either need a display with low enough resolution and big enough size for your friend to see, or good enough scaling. I'm out of the loop with Windows stuff, how well does Windows 11 scale? Last time I used Windows full-time you had some things scaling beautifully, while other things on screen scaled horribly.

    Really the key thing is to work around your friend's mobility needs. If you can get things set up wirelessly (including the display), then all you need to concern yourself with is how you mount it, and how easily it would be for him to remotely power it on if it loses power (or they turn it off because it is too noisy to sleep with). Look into wake-on-lan, as well as a voice-controlled assistant (knowing you've ruled out a HomePod because it is Apple, look at Google mini or Echo) to trigger it to turn on. Alternatively maybe something like this if you need something more tactile.

    You'll also need a way to move it all out of the way easily if needed, so a swivel mount or one with wheels might be best.

    Alternatively, you could do away with the current computer and get a tablet or an all-in-one computer and attach it to a bedside mount. Maybe a clamp mount on a sturdy bedside table, or a floor standing mount.

    I wouldn't go with a laptop, simply because putting it safely away could be a challenge in and of itself. But I say that without seeing him.

    I know your friend is depressed, and it may be difficult to involve him in the decision making process because all you get may be "doesn't matter", but give him some choice. Choose two options and let him decide between them (with neither option being "do nothing because I don't matter".)

    You could otherwise bring onboard an OT as others have suggested, but note that they will be pricy, and unless they explicitly specialise in this kind of thing, they may know dick about it. (But if they do specialise, they may blow my ideas out of the water).

    Good luck!

  • ShannonN on 03/09/2022 - 06:16

    try to utilize what he already has get a 40 inch TV hook it to hdmi that should help the vision, for navigation don't forget voice commands windows isnt all that bad at interpretating voice to commands and typing. if need more oompph Dragon Dictate will do all typing, open browsers navigate etc when set up correctly

  • lisamacoz on 03/09/2022 - 07:51

    Good on ya for looking out for your friend and trying to improve his quality of life.

  • psdillon on 04/09/2022 - 12:21

    I'd get a metal shop to custom make a wheeled H-frame that can hold a 50 to 75-inch TV over the middle of the bed. Or even a carpenter could building something from 2x4 on the cheap. Not great looking but whatever fits the budget.

    I'd also make sure the TV is at least 450 nits bright. Set the text size on laptop to 300% or greater, so all text is large. Connect via HDMI to laptop, and use wireless keyboard/mouse. Make sure keyboard has full-sized keys, with curved key surface - avoid those flat slimline laptop style keyboards, which are difficult to find and keep finger position.

  • bigmicka on 04/09/2022 - 19:58

    How about one of these

    https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32804143489.html

    Then add in an 24 inch AIO.

  • nurbsenvi on 08/09/2022 - 13:27

    Switch between VR desktop and ceiling projected screen

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