Check out the new How it works section on our website. See how BigScreenLive is the easy-to-use solution to get seniors up and running on the internet. Simply start our free trial and be using simple email, easy photo sharing, and secure shopping for products powered by Amazon.com today.

Edward Baig has written an interesting article in USA Today (click here for story) on how seniors are using technology. The highlight of the article is a group of seniors in Springfield, Virginia who have built a bowling alley using the Nintendo Wii. From the photos it looks like they are having a great time and the six-lane alley does not seem to be taking up a lot of space.
Baig also highlights other stories of senior friendly technology - sadly we were missed in the story! But he does talk of the need for easy-to-use computers for seniors.

We have been testing BigScreenLive in some independent living centers and also in assisted living centers. Residents in these centers range in their ability and interest in using computers.

Some seniors use BigScreenLive on a computer they have in their room or apartment.
Some seniors enjoy using BigScreenLive in a library or computer room setting. We can install the software on these shared computers or each senior can have their own ‘BigScreenLive to Go’ stick which they can insert in any computer. Click here to learn more about BigScreenLive to Go

We are also trialing BigScreenLive with seniors who have cognitive challenges and need nursing or counselor help to use the computer. Staff find it easy to help the senior because the software is very easy to learn to use.

BigScreenLive also provides tools to help centers connect with the seniors in their community. A special ‘Community’ area within BigScreenLive is used to share meal menus, community events and outings, photo albums, newsletters, and notices. Since the senior’s family can also see the community area in the Friends and Family portal, BigScreenLive helps centers to engage with families.

BigScreenLive can run on any computer, but it is also specially designed to work with a touch screen. Using a touch screen makes it easier for seniors to navigate BigScreenLive and is especially helpful when a staff member is using the product with a senior. We can help you source touch screens or find a computer with a touch screen built in.

Senior members get an email address and use the BigScreenLive software. Family members get free accounts (but no email address) and can sign into the BigScreenLive Family and Friends Portal to place photos, web bookmarks, and addresses into the senior’s account.

For information about how to get started, contact us today.

Many seniors can benefit from an easy-to-use keyboard. We offer the BigKeys LX keyboard. This keyboard has keys which are four times bigger than most keyboards and the labels on the keys are printed in high contrast with big and bold letters. The keyboard works well for people who have low vision because its easier for them to see the keys.

The BigKeys LX Keyboard is also great for people who find regular keys too small and fussy. BigKeys can help you if you have:
- Limited manual dexterity
- Weak muscles in your fingers, wrist, or forearm
- Arthritis
- Rheumatism
- Tremor
The keyboard also has a clever feature - pressing a key will produce only one letter, no matter how long you hold down the key, this makes the keyboard work well for people who have a little more trouble pressing and releasing the keys.

For someone who is not used to the QWERTY key layout, you can reconfigure the layout to ABC! Simply set the switch on the back of the keyboard to ‘ABC’, then pull off the keycaps off the keyboard and rearrange them to ABC layout.

The keyboard is available in two versions - Black letters on white keys, and white letters on black keys. People with low vision eye conditions may find the white letters on black keys easier to see.

You can purchase the BigKeys LX keyboard on our webstore.

Recent research as part of the ‘Pew Internet and American Life Project’ shows families use the internet and mobile phones to be better connected and more in touch with each other. As a result families are closer because of the technology. See ‘Internet, Cellphones May Strengthen Family Unit, Study Finds’ by Donna St George of the Washington Post.

The problem is Seniors are left out of this digital family room because they’re not using computers. This is where our product can help bring families together by making it easier for extended families to connect with their seniors.