[Sandy]

After spending ages pressing every combination of button dial etc on our stereo in our log shed that we put on for the dogs, I kept thinking how many other problems I have that others must share, as your eye sight fades and hearing, life gets tougher with the added advantage of not seeing muck, dust, grey hairs and wrinkles (well some  but I am sure i have more)  I posted the following on Facebook as I think they should make adult stuff more like kids things, fully functioning things like dishwashers, cookers, microwaves, music centers, MP3 etc etc but bold and clear to understand....we get a lot of men with their micro wave dinners and Steve has to read instructions to them, its funny to see them Que up!!!!!!
I think stuff for over 50's should be designed like toddler stuff, big clear ON/OFF buttons, bright colours so they can be found and instructions only in pictures of no more than 3 colours..not forgetting rounded edges...then maybe I could..turn the stereo on/off without trying every combo, know the difference between body cream and hair conditioner, open tin beans not fruit, find my glasses and remote and keys and not cut myself while opening shrink wrap stuff......!!

My glasses fall off regularly when bending and so I put some old knicker elastic on some to use when I bend down to my draws as otherwise I end up laying on the floor to find stuff!!!!!! Please, tell me I am NOT the only one who suffers ;(



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[Small Farmer]

Too bloody right!

I have half a dozen pairs of reading glasses but they cluster together in places other than where I need them.  And theyre called remote controls because they're remote from where you need them, and are covered in tiny buttons with inpenetrable symbols.

[HappyHippy]

My glasses fall off regularly when bending and so I put some old knicker elastic on some to use when I bend down to my draws as otherwise I end up laying on the floor to find stuff!!!!!! Please, tell me I am NOT the only one who suffers ;(

Sandy, I now have visions of you lying on the floor whilst your spex are attached to your knickers and getting yourself into a bit of a fankle  I know that's not what you mean  but I couldn't help myself 
The reason your spex keep on falling off is cos you keep sticking 'em on top of your head - don't you ?  They get loose when you do that, but any optician should tighten them up for you (free of charge - don't let them try to charge you !)
Karen 

[mab]

I know what you mean - I used to have an old video recorder which had just 6 buttons on the remote (on, play, record, ff, rew, ch up/down) - i.e. just the ones you need - you could operate it without looking. When it broke down I made the mistake of buying a new on instead of getting it repaired.

The new one had about 30 buttons, most of which are never used and just made it hard to find the button you needed.

Since then I've always looked for appliances that follow the KISS principal (Keep is SIMPLE stupid!).

mab

[feldar]

For us it's phones! texting takes me forever i feel retarded trying to find the numbers and letters. I've banned the kids using phones at the table cause they are so rude constantly looking down to update their facebook. I am sure our kids will have permanent back problems through this.
The tv remote is so complicated i need a full day's training to use it.

[Small Farmer]

We put in solar panels for cheap hot water a few years ago, fully integrated with a new boiler for maximum efficiency and easy of use.  Ha bloody ha.

I don't really understand the controls.  I'm damn sure the installer didn't, and I know he used the polish edition of the instalation manual.  British Gas want touch it, which is at least honest, so we go to a chap a few miles away who knows how it ought to work.  Trouble is he set it up in April and it has to be different in November.

If it were installed in an office someone would be sent on a course to learn all about it.  But for home it's a case of here's the manuals, good luck.

[Sandy]

I have trouble getting up off the floor and although my glasses are not attatched to my knickers, they maybe should be as like others, they are either all together or hidding!!!! I keep fishing out my old vari foculs that the pups 2 years ago scratched, they are the only ones that do not slip off......I will get my other adjusted.

Also toiletries pose me loads of problems, now who takes your glasses into the shower? I mix up products and cannot see the side with the hole in on some stuff so whatever it is, comes out  but not where I expext, same with perfume, I was tempted to put some nailvarnish on my perfume as I am always spraying it the wrong way!!!

I like simple too, I bet there are so many people who do not use all the buttons on thier equiptment, only the neurds ( an my nephew who is 3) amungst  us can do that...

This complexity follows into the work place and supermarket as well, all this bogoff stuff, you have to double check if you are saveing anything and then theres, less fat, less sugar, no sugar no meat , no added bits and bobs etc etc...I can hear Victor Meldrew now.....one saving grace, my husband is not at my stage in life YET and when he is I hope to be senile  (only kidding) now off while I can still use the keyboard!! (the best and most used lesson from my school days, touch typing and not spelling!!)

[little blue]

aw, bless you Sandy

Def put nail varnish on your spray bottles (get Steve to do it!) as you could cause more damage to your eyes if you get it wrong!

As for the shower, either get another shelf put it - one for shower gel, one for hair stuff & make sure you buy ones in different colours.
Or go for an all-in-one hair & body wash ... often sold as "mens"  but personally, I like the smell of mens shower gels rather than some girly "milk of something or other!!"

Don't take offence, but why not get in touch with the RNIB - they do things like phones with large buttons & can recommend things with simple controls etc.
My nana & auntie had/have sight problems, we used to contact the RNIB for things to help



(*sigh* wish I could touch type  - did an online course but still can't do it!)

[Sandy]

Ha hahah, not that bad just yet but when you have to bend down to look in dark places, its very hard......we share the shower so I take my products in and out.....but I know what you mean!!!!! Its a cast of turn up the light!!!! has its good points as like I said, cannot see the muck!!

[Lesley Silvester]

Sigh.  I think my problem is that my body is getting older faster than I am.  SIGH.

[bigchicken]

My specs never to be found the other week I picked up the tele remote to dial a phone number. I think sky are missing a trick here.   

[tizaala]

Sandy you need prescription ski goggles............

[Sandy]

Well its comforting at least...I say to my hubby, I prefer older people staying at our B&B as they understand!!!!  ...now I am off to turn on the hi fi in the dogs room..well what I mean is I am going to press every button until some noise comes out

[Small Farmer]

We're on the side of a hill with no terrestrial television reception so we use freesat. The good news is no re-tune for the switchover, the bad news is that because the tv is on the wall in the kitchen it needs two remote controls to operate it.  Thats two devices with lots of tiny buttons, each of which can be hidden under the Guardian.

[MAK]

Reading this thread has made me realise just how much technology I avoid and leave to the OH to sort out. I don't text and have never read an instruction manual because a) I am a man and b) I can not see read them. I got some specs ( 10 pairs for £8 ) but can not find them now.
I would definitely be like Victor Meldew if I was not an Accidental Smallholder and lived in a town etc.