# Entertainment ideas for an old blind man **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 20, 2017, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainment-ideas-for-an-old-blind-man/802158 "2017-11-20T04:11:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tom\_Terrific](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tom_terrific/32/342_2.png) [@Tom\_Terrific](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Terrific)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2017, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainment-ideas-for-an-old-blind-man/802158/1 "2017-11-20T04:11:44Z")
My father in law is 85 yrs old and lives in a assisted living/nursing home. He has macular degeneration. He is also very frail and uses a walker. He can’t watch TV, work his suduco or crossword puzzles anymore, so he is becoming depressed. My wife and I were thinking about some kind of radio he could listen to. Needless to say pop, rock, or any of the normal channels would not hold his interest. We were thinking about Sirrius or XM. One of the problems being the nursing home most likely won’t let us run an antenna wire through the home to the outside. The even more major problem is the radio or whatever must be simple to use. That puts the streaming option out, I think. Anyway, just looking for ideas to help a very good old man enjoy his remaining years as much as possible. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2017, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainment-ideas-for-an-old-blind-man/802158/2 "2017-11-20T04:21:45Z")
My mother is dealing with similar problems. She loves her Amazon Echo. She plays Jeopardy, NPR puzzle lots of music and podcasts - audio books too. Jokes, weather, news updates and more. First gen Echos on [sale](https://electronics.woot.com/offers/amazon-echo-1st-generation-2?ref=el_cnt_wp_1_1) for $105 off. Needs WiFi (or a hotspot) and works best with a Prime account or music subscription. ---
**Author:** ![cormac262](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@cormac262](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cormac262)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2017, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainment-ideas-for-an-old-blind-man/802158/3 "2017-11-20T05:00:09Z")
Audio books. You can get these (on CD) at the library. I used to transfer them to MP3 and listen to them on a portable MP3 player. There is lots to choose from. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2017, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainment-ideas-for-an-old-blind-man/802158/4 "2017-11-20T05:08:38Z")
Old time radio shows? There are lots for free out there. Load them up on an mp3 player. Music of his era, late 30s thru early 50s? ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2017, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainment-ideas-for-an-old-blind-man/802158/5 "2017-11-20T05:22:20Z")
If he has the internet available then buy an internet radio with preset buttons, preferably lots of them. Then you can go through and help him find some possible channels . ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2017, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainment-ideas-for-an-old-blind-man/802158/6 "2017-11-20T05:26:16Z")
For my mom, with macular degeneration, being able to control things by voice is a huge benefit. She can no longer see well enough to operate her phone or iPod for MP3s. Another cool feature for the vision challenged is the ability to make phone calls - all voice operated (outgoing to anyone, incoming from other Echo users). In a couple of weeks, Amazon is releasing Echo Connect ($35) which hooks into your landline so you can recieve calls from anyone. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2017, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainment-ideas-for-an-old-blind-man/802158/7 "2017-11-20T07:39:35Z")
As an old blind man, there really aren’t many magic bullets. At the moment, I’m putting my hopes in pleasant companionship. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2017, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainment-ideas-for-an-old-blind-man/802158/8 "2017-11-20T08:41:03Z")
Podcasts on topics he is interested in. Also free internet radio channels featuring old (or new) comedy routines. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2017, 9:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainment-ideas-for-an-old-blind-man/802158/9 "2017-11-20T09:41:42Z")
As a birdwatcher much of my life, I can no longer see or identify birds, but I can name still a couple of hundred species by their voice. So I can spend many hours “birdwatching” by ear. Frog/toad survey volunteer learn voices of herps, and never see them – they go out and do their census in the dark, by ear. Your state DNR has training materials. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Terrific](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tom_terrific/32/342_2.png) [@Tom\_Terrific](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Terrific)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2017, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainment-ideas-for-an-old-blind-man/802158/10 "2017-11-20T13:14:15Z")
I am excited by several of these. Thank you all very much. The voice control is something we would never have thought of. Hell the wife and I are old enough that we are way behind the curve on technology. Thank you all again. ---
**Author:** ![ioioio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ioioio/32/316_2.png) [@ioioio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ioioio)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2017, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainment-ideas-for-an-old-blind-man/802158/11 "2017-11-20T14:16:39Z")
National Library Service (NLS) is a free braille and talking book library service for people with temporary or permanent low vision, blindness, or a physical disability that prevents them from reading or holding the printed page. Through a national network of cooperating libraries, NLS offers books the way you want them: in braille or audio formats, **mailed to your door for free** , or instantly downloadable. [National Library Service](https://loc.gov/programs/national-library-service-for-the-blind-and-physically-handicapped/about-this-service) I’ve known people who used this free service and were thrilled with it. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2017, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainment-ideas-for-an-old-blind-man/802158/12 "2017-11-20T14:36:45Z")
Another option for lots of free audio is [archive.org](https://archive.org/) They have [audio books](https://archive.org/details/librivoxaudio), old time [radio shows](https://archive.org/details/oldtimeradio) and [music](https://archive.org/details/78rpm). You can listen on their website or download the mp3s. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2017, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainment-ideas-for-an-old-blind-man/802158/13 "2017-11-20T16:52:17Z")
How do you download a book in Braille? ---
**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2017, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainment-ideas-for-an-old-blind-man/802158/14 "2017-11-20T17:21:52Z")
If I get to that age (and macular degeneration will almost certainly be a problem, I’m afraid), I would certainly welcome a lap dance or two. However, I assume your father in law is of far too elevated a moral character to be gratified by such base amusements. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Terrific](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tom_terrific/32/342_2.png) [@Tom\_Terrific](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Terrific)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2017, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainment-ideas-for-an-old-blind-man/802158/15 "2017-11-20T17:51:05Z")
> [@StusBlues](#): > > If I get to that age (and macular degeneration will almost certainly be a problem, I’m afraid), I would certainly welcome a lap dance or two. However, I assume your father in law is of far too elevated a moral character to be gratified by such base amusements. At one time he may have been tempted but not so much now. When my wife gets home from work I’ll show her the thread to see what she thinks is best. I had forgotten about the voice activated tech. I think he would be more comfortable with that type of thing. I am still reading the suggestions and thanks again. ---
**Author:** ![Heracles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heracles/32/487_2.png) [@Heracles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heracles)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2017, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainment-ideas-for-an-old-blind-man/802158/16 "2017-11-20T18:20:15Z")
On the subject of audio books, my cousin once told me about a device for listening to audio books that was provided by the local institute for the blind (which also had a bunch of content for it). I’m not sure if it consumed audio CDs or audio cassettes, but it had very large, conveniently-shaped buttons for control. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2017, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainment-ideas-for-an-old-blind-man/802158/17 "2017-11-20T18:24:54Z")
> [@Tom\_Terrific](#): > > He can’t watch TV… I thought there was a way to get voice narration on some TV shows? ---
**Author:** ![BeeGee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5a626/32.png) [@BeeGee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeeGee)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2017, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainment-ideas-for-an-old-blind-man/802158/18 "2017-11-20T19:08:31Z")
My dad also has macular degeneration (so do I: dry still), so I’ve been in this boat before. National Library of Congress offers free audible books AND a player to qualifying people. They also have an app which is available on iPhones, Android and kindle for downloading books. Free, free, free. I bought my dad a $39 kindle tablet last Christmas for downloading books and using Alexa. the learning curve wasn’t great because my dad is one of those people who knows everything. He vascillates between “I can do it myself!” and “I’m just a poor old man; take pity on me.” With the Kindle BARD app, he was having trouble learning where the buttons were. I put a rubber band around the “button panel” to help him learn where it is. As for voice activated things, he’s learning. We both lost our tempers learning to let those up. My dad has a west Texas accent, his voice has gotten weaker with age, and half the time he doesn’t have his damned teeth in. These things will all affect voice recognition products. Frankly, Christmas night I told my mom to send the Echo back and get her money back. But she just continued to use it and one day in January, when he asked her the temperature outside for the fourth or fifth time, she said “Ask Alexa”. After they got prime this summer, I introduced him to Amazon music. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2017, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainment-ideas-for-an-old-blind-man/802158/19 "2017-11-20T20:02:32Z")
I think that XM does have a lot of channels that would be of interest, and they are satellite based, which means they might work inside the building. Audible books were my second thought. If you need wifi for him to stream, will his home let you put in your own portable hotspot, like [Hotspots: Shop Internet Devices | Verizon](https://www.verizonwireless.com/internet-devices/)? You won’t need to run wiring to use something like these. ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainment-ideas-for-an-old-blind-man/802158/20 "2017-11-21T01:40:43Z")
Maybe you could get musicians to play a concert at the home. See if you can find music students who are willing to play. I used to play with musicians in seniors’ homes, and it was very rewarding. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainment-ideas-for-an-old-blind-man/802158.md?page=2)