Hi, I recently set my 86 yr old mom with a new macbook air remotely, she loves it but she has trouble double-clicking. I ordered her one of these https://www.amazon.com/LENTION-Chro...id=1520656483&sr=1-1&keywords=mac+usb+adapter with a microsoft cordless mouse. The mouse works plugged into it, she can handle single clicking, but double-clicking just isn't working with her shaky hands, anybody know of any apps or ways to help her? I'm a pc person so I'm not very adept at all the settings in the mac.
Struggling with mouse control for elderly mom
- Thread starter ell
- Start date
You can set the double click into the push of the mouse wheel. Windows can change the double click rate so it is very, very slow also (Control Panel - Mouse) so they can actually just push the mouse button normally twice.. Usually between those two I can keep most seniors comfortable.
So how is it done in a mac?
no worries, appreciate your effort, so frustrating helping her from across the country, I'd like to just turn off double-click, but can't see how. if I can't get this resolved I know the thing will just sit there, a $1200 calendar.
nlinecomputers
Well-Known Member
- Reaction score
- 8,594
- Location
- Midland TX
LOL, I just found that too, I was messing with the "mouse" settings in system preferences, that did nothing. I'll give accessibility settings a try when we connect later, thanks.
Markverhyden
Well-Known Member
- Reaction score
- 11,022
- Location
- Raleigh, NC
My Dad's 92 with Parkinson's so I've been working on this for some time. Currently he's got a 2010 13" MBP.
Yes, accessibility is where click speed is controlled and it works. Personally I think that kind of stupid but since they have separate mouse and trackpad preferences I can understand.
I've tried a track ball mouse, as they are popular with many motion limited people, but he did not like the geometry. Also, on occasion he will use the track pad on the laptop as well. See if she like that as there is the wireless trackpad with a much larger surface area. I also set him up with a wireless KB last trip as that makes things much easier.
Yes, accessibility is where click speed is controlled and it works. Personally I think that kind of stupid but since they have separate mouse and trackpad preferences I can understand.
I've tried a track ball mouse, as they are popular with many motion limited people, but he did not like the geometry. Also, on occasion he will use the track pad on the laptop as well. See if she like that as there is the wireless trackpad with a much larger surface area. I also set him up with a wireless KB last trip as that makes things much easier.
thanks Mark, she has signs of parkinson's so I can relate with you, she seemed to struggle with her big imac trackpad so I just got her the same msft mouse I use, shes used it when she came to visit and it seemed ok, BUT I have a pc so maybe I messed up ordering one for her macbook, plus she bought the wrong macbook with no usb ports so I had to get the usb/usb-c adapter too, agh. Hopefully the accessibility options will do it for her.
backwoodsman
Well-Known Member
- Reaction score
- 576
- Location
- USA
yeah maybe, but I can see her forgetting to do it, short term memory pretty bad, I will suggest it though, thanks
Have you considered trying a 'finger mouse'? Might not help but they're dirt cheap so it could be worth a try:
https://www.amazon.com/USB-Optical-Finger-Mouse-Pc/dp/B006ZI35J4/
https://www.amazon.com/USB-Optical-Finger-Mouse-Pc/dp/B006ZI35J4/
I've been telling my clients who have trouble double-clicking to instead, on a mac, single click the icon - then press the space bar. This will either launch the program or an "info" window which then has a button to click to launch the program.
On a windows machine, I have them single click the icon then press the Enter key.
On a windows machine, I have them single click the icon then press the Enter key.
Markverhyden
Well-Known Member
- Reaction score
- 11,022
- Location
- Raleigh, NC
It's been my experience that, in reality, people fight the whole aging thing tooth and nail. Just human nature. My Dad's mouse is this tiny wireless thing, maybe 3" long. But he likes it. When his iMac died a couple of years ago and I gave him the MBP he said he did not need a monitor when I asked. Also said he was happy with the laptop KB. Last trip I noticed it wasn't so good operationally so I just told him he was getting a separate KB and monitor. Got him the Apple wireless KB and a 23" HP monitor and he's much happier.
Thanks, this jogged my memory. In OS X hitting command + o will open whatever the focus is on. File, folder or app.
mlcomputers
Active Member
- Reaction score
- 160
- Location
- The Vendee, France
I tend to find these to be pretty good with my older customers both PC and MAC. Big rollerbal and large click buttons
https://www.logitech.com/en-roeu/product/4786?crid=7
https://www.logitech.com/en-roeu/product/4786?crid=7
Markverhyden
Well-Known Member
- Reaction score
- 11,022
- Location
- Raleigh, NC
A lot depends on their situation. I've had seriously handicapped customers that used track balls, not to mention I prefer that setup. Turns out my Dad, due to his Parkinson's, could not hover his hand over the device. It was easier for him to grasp the mouse.
