There’s nothing quite like the joy of sharing a new technology with someone you care about and watching it quietly transform their world. One moment I’ll always hold close is the day I gave my grandma an iPad. It wasn’t meant to be a grand gesture. I just hoped it might help her feel a little more connected, maybe offer something fun to break up the long, quiet hours at home.
At first, she looked at it like it had come from another planet. She held it carefully, tapping it like it might bite back. “What is this supposed to do for me?” she asked, half-smiling, half-skeptical. But we sat side by side, and I showed her. I walked her through the basics of how to open an app, how to swipe, and how to answer a video call. She asked the same questions over and over, and we laughed about it together. The turning point came when she saw her sister’s face appear on screen for the first time during a video call.
From that point on, the iPad stopped being a gadget. It became her sidekick. She kept it on the end table like a favorite book. She played word games in the mornings, watched recipe videos in the afternoons, and signed up for online classes that gave her something new to talk about every evening. She started reading again, using the adjustable text size, and she kept up with the news in real time. And yes, she stayed completely up to date with every move made by the British Royal Family. She adored them.
– Sophie Okolo
Hearing her say that stopped me in my tracks. It wasn’t just about the device. It was about what it brought into her life. It gave her back a sense of control and a new kind of joy. And for me, as her caregiver, it gave something just as precious. It gave me breathing room. When she was happily engaged, learning or laughing or video chatting with family, I could step away for a few minutes and not feel guilty. I could cook dinner without rushing. I could do laundry knowing she was content. It lightened the emotional load in a way I never expected.
Caregiving isn’t always about the big things. Often, it’s the little moments that carry the most weight. That simple gift, a screen, a tap, a connection, brought peace to our home. It reminded me that sometimes, making someone’s day better doesn’t require anything fancy. Just something thoughtful, given with love. That iPad didn’t just brighten her world. It changed our rhythm. And I’ll always be grateful for that.
Sophie Okolo is a warm, brilliant gerontologist, public health researcher, and storyteller who’s changing the way we think about aging, caregiving, and what it means to create a fairer world. She’s the driving force behind Global Health Aging, a platform that brings to life the rich, diverse stories of aging from every corner of the planet. With a heart full of passion and a background steeped in research, writing, and advocacy, Sophie’s ideas have landed her a role as a Forbes Contributor and earned her praise from PBS Next Avenue and The New York Times Wirecutter for her fresh, bold perspectives. She’s all about shaking things up, blending inclusion, creative ideas, and the power of real human stories to reshape caregiving.
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