Ergonomics for Seniors?

[SamirD]

My parents have crossed 65 and 70.  And while they don't use computers like I do, they do spend a considerable amount of time at them every day.

As they've gotten older, eyesight has become worse, eye to hand coordination has gotten worse, and more.

I've found some simple solutions to problems--like getting them trackballs instead of mice and large monitors running lower resolutions.  But I know there's more that can be done. 

There's a company out there that makes a 'easily readable' keyboard but it's just the same crappy rubber membrane with bright keys on it.  I've looked into foot pedals for mouse clicks, odd shaped mice and various other possible improvements.

Anyone else ran into this issue?  What solutions have you found that work?  Thank you for your time!

[Findecanor]

I would not try to replace any of their user interfaces with different types than they are used to. No offence, but I think that would just be cruel.

What is well known to be ergonomic for most of us should be good for them as well: Good chair. Monitor with wide viewing angles and height. Keyboard with light keys that are reliable and tactile: possibly Cherry MX Blue or Clear.
There are good mice that do feel like traditional mice but which are more ergonomic than otherwise. Mice should also have light buttons.

The monitor could have lower PPI for sure, but I would also make it larger because having smaller windows is more difficult these days.

[SamirD]

I only try to make changes when I see them struggling.  The move from mice to trackballs has helped tremendously in double-clicking as they used to always minutely move the mouse in between clicks.

They definitely need better chairs and desks--that's on the todo list.  I don't see them struggling with the rubber dome keyboards since they can't touch type, so that's not really an issue, but lighter keys may help with fatigue.

They've got 17" monitors running 1024x768 with large icons on xp, which seems to work well.  But the monitors aren't the nice glare-coated higher quality ones.  I'm not sure if moving to the higher end ones would make a significant difference except in expense.

[davkol]

Nice used or old-stock Dell/Lenovo/…/Eizo 20" 4:3 monitors are quite cheap nowadays.

[ideus]

Nice used or old-stock Dell/Lenovo/…/Eizo 20" 4:3 monitors are quite cheap nowadays.

+1 The 4:3 ratio is very good for typing and reading, the larger the better, so they should not have any issue. Regarding the keyboard I think that reds would be very good for them. As someone said, do not change anything in the light of assistance, but in the like of general ergonomics logic.

[SamirD]

Nice used or old-stock Dell/Lenovo/…/Eizo 20" 4:3 monitors are quite cheap nowadays.

+1 The 4:3 ratio is very good for typing and reading, the larger the better, so they should not have any issue. Regarding the keyboard I think that reds would be very good for them. As someone said, do not change anything in the light of assistance, but in the like of general ergonomics logic.

Where did you find an Eizo 20" cheap?  I just did a search and google shopping said $1200+.

Right now their keyboards are black (default IBM/Dell stuff).  They're rubber membrane but if I'm going to change it, I should probably give them a color combo that helps right?  Red seems like it might be too bright.  I know I've seen yellow on products like the 'Keys-U-See' brand keyboards.  In fact, searching for those, I ran into this mech beauty that seems like it might be perfect depending on which switches it has:
https://www.enablemart.com/computer-accessibility/keyboards/large-print-and-large-key-keyboards/scorpius-35-pro-large-print-trackball-keyboard

This looks like a pretty good board too:
https://www.enablemart.com/computer-accessibility/keyboards/large-print-and-large-key-keyboards/windows-pc-large-print-keyboard

This probably would be too drastic of a change for my parents, but it looks like a big version of 60-75%:
https://www.bigkeys.com/what_lx_features.asp

[ideus]

Negative tilt helps a lot with carpal tunnel stressed induced syndrome.

[SamirD]

Negative tilt helps a lot with carpal tunnel stressed induced syndrome.

They literally hunt and peck at about 1 key/sec so I think they're okay in this area.  I think the big letters would help a lot.

[davkol]

Nice used or old-stock Dell/Lenovo/…/Eizo 20" 4:3 monitors are quite cheap nowadays.

+1 The 4:3 ratio is very good for typing and reading, the larger the better, so they should not have any issue. Regarding the keyboard I think that reds would be very good for them. As someone said, do not change anything in the light of assistance, but in the like of general ergonomics logic.

Where did you find an Eizo 20" cheap?  I just did a search and google shopping said $1200+.

Locally; a CAD/CAM guy was upgrading. It was about €20 IIRC. Then I got a second-hand MVA Acer with an MIS VESA stand, under €50 via a local craigslist-like site. Now I'm running two Lenovo L201 monitors in portrait; found new old-stock for €35 each at a local eBay-like site. There's usually some HP or Dell in great condition available too.

[SamirD]

Locally; a CAD/CAM guy was upgrading. It was about €20 IIRC. Then I got a second-hand MVA Acer with an MIS VESA stand, under €50 via a local craigslist-like site. Now I'm running two Lenovo L201 monitors in portrait; found new old-stock for €35 each at a local eBay-like site. There's usually some HP or Dell in great condition available too.

Lucky!  Good finds!

I've got 3-4 20" sony, dell, hp for free that were about to be tossed.  I got them as backups in case my Eizo 20" went out.  I guess I could use one of those, but their desk space would be completely gone, lol.

[Oobly]

Keyboard with 62g Zealios and Round 5 SA profile keycaps. The white, black and red caps all have great contrast and the alphas and numbers have lovely big characters. Really high visibility and they also look and feel great to use: http://deskthority.net/photos-f62/round-5-the-cappening-t10938-180.html

Of course you'd have to switch swap to get Zealios onto a board, but you can use any decent MX compatible donor board, like a CMStorm XT for example. Or you could get a board with MX Browns, but they're not so nice in terms of feel. They're at least still light and tactile, which is important for "old" fingers.

[SamirD]

Keyboard with 62g Zealios and Round 5 SA profile keycaps. The white, black and red caps all have great contrast and the alphas and numbers have lovely big characters. Really high visibility and they also look and feel great to use: http://deskthority.net/photos-f62/round-5-the-cappening-t10938-180.html

Those are beautiful!

Although wouldn't the 62g or browns be a bit 'heavy' for old fingers?

[hoggy]

Rest breaks...

[ideus]

Rest breaks...

And some stretching.

[SamirD]

Rest breaks...

And some stretching.

Of course, but for hunt and peck isn't that a bit heavy?

[user 18]

Keyboard with 62g Zealios and Round 5 SA profile keycaps. The white, black and red caps all have great contrast and the alphas and numbers have lovely big characters. Really high visibility and they also look and feel great to use: http://deskthority.net/photos-f62/round-5-the-cappening-t10938-180.html

Those are beautiful!

Although wouldn't the 62g or browns be a bit 'heavy' for old fingers?

62g is only marginally heavier than a stock red or brown. Because there is variation in rubber dome boards, this may be stiffer or less stiff than the boards they are currently using.

[SamirD]

Keyboard with 62g Zealios and Round 5 SA profile keycaps. The white, black and red caps all have great contrast and the alphas and numbers have lovely big characters. Really high visibility and they also look and feel great to use: http://deskthority.net/photos-f62/round-5-the-cappening-t10938-180.html

Those are beautiful!

Although wouldn't the 62g or browns be a bit 'heavy' for old fingers?

62g is only marginally heavier than a stock red or brown. Because there is variation in rubber dome boards, this may be stiffer or less stiff than the boards they are currently using.

Got it.  Makes sense.

[SamirD]

Just saw this keyboard:
https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=26

Thoughts?

[Oobly]

Just saw this keyboard:
https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=26

Thoughts?

1. Fugly, but not actually a factor I guess.
2. Out of stock, which could be.
3. 55g actuation is stronger than Browns (45-50g).

Otherwise a nice board, should be quite usable. It should, however, be clarified with MK whether they are in fact tactile switches, though, since all the Yellow Alps switches I've come across are linear.

[SamirD]

Ah, didn't see the out of stock.   They probably are linear like you say if they're yellow alps.  That higher actuation probably wouldn't be great on old hands.

[tofu28]

I haven't thought of trackballs all that much. I'll have to get a pair for my parents.

[SamirD]

I haven't thought of trackballs all that much. I'll have to get a pair for my parents.

They've made a world of difference for my parents.  I'd highly recommend trying some out on them.