# Need recommendations for bedside music player for an invalid **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 13, 2013, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-recommendations-for-bedside-music-player-for-an-invalid/663414 "2013-07-13T18:22:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![K364](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k364/32/5_2.png) [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2013, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-recommendations-for-bedside-music-player-for-an-invalid/663414/1 "2013-07-13T18:22:02Z")
I have a sick relative who is bed-ridden. I would like to get her a music player. It should be dead simple: on-off, volume. I can load the songs, that won’t be a problem. I know the iPod nano and dock solution is viable, is there anything else? The iPod would be kind of a waste, since a memory card would perform the same function. I mean, she’s not the type to go walking with ear-buds. Any insights or specific suggestions would be appreciated! ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2013, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-recommendations-for-bedside-music-player-for-an-invalid/663414/2 "2013-07-13T18:26:10Z")
If she’s older and doesn’t want to fiddle around with it, you might be overthinking (and overspending). She might be happiest with a plain old am/fm radio. ---
**Author:** ![K364](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k364/32/5_2.png) [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2013, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-recommendations-for-bedside-music-player-for-an-invalid/663414/3 "2013-07-13T18:32:27Z")
Joey - she has specific music tastes ( think comfort music like comfort food ) which I can pick out and load for her. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2013, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-recommendations-for-bedside-music-player-for-an-invalid/663414/4 "2013-07-13T18:34:07Z")
This would have great content for a senior. [http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2011/07/aarp-launches-online-music-player-for-seniors.html](http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2011/07/aarp-launches-online-music-player-for-seniors.html) > [@](#): > > The AARP recently launched a Pandora-like online music player that operates through the group’s website and is a joint effort between the organization and Concord Music Group. > > The station features 18 channels that cover several genres of music, but the content is hand-picked with the tastes of the 50+ demographic in mind. In a recent interview with Senior Housing News, Glen Barros, Concord Music Group’s president and CEO says, “Finding new music and even old favorites has become more complicated and difficult for so many people. AARP is a trusted source of information and guidance. Working closely with them, we aim to help adults across the country reconnect with the enjoyment of music and the artists who create it.” > > And to keep things even more current, AARP has future plans to offer AARP Internet Radio through various mobile phone apps. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2013, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-recommendations-for-bedside-music-player-for-an-invalid/663414/5 "2013-07-13T18:50:38Z")
I’d suggest a mini stereo system. Something small with a built in docking station for an IPhone or IPod. Set it up on a dresser or table away from the bed. Give the remote to the person in bed. just one example. It’s compatible with most device you’d put music on. You could program the music and the patient would just play it. > **[Amazon.com: Attcny CS-445 CD Receiver System : Electronics](https://www.amazon.com/Attcny-CS-445-CD-Receiver-System/dp/B004BD9W4W)** > > Product Description The CS-445 offers a carefully considered balance of performance, price, and practicality. Thanks to its compact size, this versatile audio mini system can be set up virtually anywhere in the home. Driving the system is a... > [@](#): > > Compatible with iPhone (iPhone3GS, iPhone 3G, and iPhone), iPod touch (1st and 2nd Generations), iPod classic, and iPod nano (2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Generations) > [@](#): > > The CS-445 offers four programmable timers for automated playback, as well as a sleep timer for turning the unit off after a specified length of time. The unit can be programmed to turn on and turn off at specific times. Each timer can be programmed for a single alarm, a daily alarm, or alarms for multiple days. The sleep timer can be set in 10-minute increments between 10 and 90 minutes with the included remote’s Sleep button, and adjusted in 1-minute increments from 1 to 99 minutes using the Arrow buttons on the CS-445 itself. ---
**Author:** ![K364](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k364/32/5_2.png) [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2013, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-recommendations-for-bedside-music-player-for-an-invalid/663414/6 "2013-07-13T18:53:15Z")
> [@K364](#): > > Joey - she has specific music tastes ( think comfort music like comfort food ) which I can pick out and load for her. Actually - you may be on to something… I’ll bet she likes talk radio (not sure). Regardless, radios now come with SD slots. That may be the way to go, thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2013, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-recommendations-for-bedside-music-player-for-an-invalid/663414/7 "2013-07-13T19:00:15Z")
Just for a different perspective on the problem, you could probably achieve the same result with an old computer, if you have one lying around. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2013, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-recommendations-for-bedside-music-player-for-an-invalid/663414/8 "2013-07-13T19:58:12Z")
you might shop carefully, lots of multifeatured radios have lots of small buttons. is there a single on/off button or separates? i don’t think you will find a volume knob but maybe a rocker switch button. you’d like the unit to resume the same function (memory card or radio). some radios/players have IR remotes though they can be small in size. i set up a learning/programmable multidevice remote Sony RM-VLZ620 which has bigger size and buttons though it is a multimedia remote (disadvantage lots of buttons, advantage can remote tv and other entertainment devices).