It was late Friday evening, and we were both feeling vulnerable. I was slurping on a microwavable cup of tomato soup, and Julie was eating an open-face sandwich. We talked openly and discovered new things about ourselves, but more on that later.
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I thought I knew myself, but I’m always learning something new. Or perhaps I’m learning more about things that I already knew. I dreaded my elective surgery. I had heard terrible things about the recovery, but something else was bothering me, and I didn’t know what it was.
In my usual style, I planned and over-planned. I researched what others dealt with after shoulder surgery. I practice behaviors like taking a shower with only one hand. I purchased a few items that would aid my recovery. I set up a station in my family room where I could recover in a reclining chair with things to occupy my time and hold my interest. All of these things gave me a sense of control and comfort.
I had quite a bit of pain the first week, but that was expected. I was surprised at how vulnerable I felt and incapable of doing the simplest things.
Initially, my recovery felt like I was having a childhood snow day. I could do what I wanted without feeling guilty for not being productive. The first two days were wonderful in that regard, but then I fell into a slump, feeling both sorry for myself and somehow abandoned. This phase quickly moved into my usual state of accepting the situation, planning solutions, and looking forward. I focused on the fact that I was showing improvement every day, but it was still tough for me not to do what I did in my retirement, such as cleaning the house or shopping for groceries. This surprised me.
I’m a clear communicator, and before the surgery, I told people close to me what I needed from them. In most cases, things went as expected, but I did have a few surprises. One person close to me got into a trivial fight with me. This was surprising because we had never fought before. Further, it was over something that had been settled many months ago. For a few days, that person barely talked to me and was unavailable to help me. Initially, I was hurt, then angry, and then hurt again. However, after thinking about it, I realized what was going on. I was always there for that person and was the person who could always solve their problems no matter what they were. I was their caretaker, and my illness frightened them. Luckily, that period of distancing was short and entirely resolved after a few days.
I have another very close connection who I told that I needed visits during my recovery. Seeing the discomfort on his face when I mentioned this surprised me. He did show up multiple times at my house with a cup of coffee in hand and was willing to engage in conversation; however, his level of anxiety was palpable. I always thought that this person had a germ phobia, but in reality, he has a fear of illness and a fear of being vulnerable. Seeing me ill was upsetting and threatening to him. I appreciated his willingness to visit me despite this considerable hurdle. However, I felt an obligation to ease him of his pain. I emphasized to him how well I was improving while doing whatever I could to give him a pass not to visit.
What surprised me the most was what I learned about myself. These were not entirely new revelations; they emphasized common recurring themes. I pride myself on being a problem solver and a take-charge person. I pride myself on being able to rely entirely on myself. To be honest, I pride myself that I don’t need anyone. However, this last statement is ridiculous. It is in my psyche as a protective mechanism allowing me to pull away and seal over if someone is hurting me or (worse) abandoning me. The above traits have been key to my successful life. However, they are only part of an incomplete story.
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The kids were away for the evening, which added raw quiet to the room. So there we were on that Friday night. Julie asked me if I wanted anything for dinner. I wasn’t very hungry, but I asked her to heat up a microwaveable cup of tomato soup and to make me a half-sandwich. I made a pot of tea to assuage my guilt of not being productive. We both had a rough week.
Julie had her cancer check-up. Thankfully, she got an all-clear on the cancer front. However, a new and potentially serious problem from her radiation therapy was discovered. She was stressed from this and the added burden of doing many of the jobs I usually did. Just the day before, she had twice locked her keys in her office, requiring the building super to come to her aid. She told me how guilty she felt that I was left alone during my second week of recovery. This surprised me, and I reassured her that I could occupy my time and care for my basic needs. She noted that she thought others must think of her as horrible for working and leaving me alone. I told her that was not the case. It was clear that she was emotionally exhausted, just like I was.
Her vulnerability opened a door in my mind and allowed me to access my vulnerability. I told her how guilty I felt about relying on others, but there was more to my feelings. There was a real fear that those who I love would not be willing to help me during my time of need. A genuine concern that they would reject me, perhaps ridicule me. A fear that I would be abandoned and alone. That fear fueled me to go grocery shopping for the family 10 days into my recovery. I prided myself on the fact that I could pack and transport bags of groceries only using my left hand. That fear is what pushed me to practice preparing food and taking a shower only using my left hand the week before surgery. That fear drove me to tell my friend I needed him to visit me. That fear is what caused my anger and hurt when a loved one got into an argument with me days after my operation.
I realized how I had turned fear into an asset as a young child. I combined it with anger to become independent and self-sufficient. I used it to reject other’s views that I would never amount to anything, and to build a sense of self-confidence. But now, in a vulnerable state. A time when I couldn’t be independent. At a time when I needed help even to make a sandwich, my core fear was re-emerging.
When I become frightened, I instantly go into my head. I problem-solve, analyze, and journal to dig deeper. You can see that process in real time in this blog post. In reality, I do need people in my life. In fact, I have been reasonably independent during my early recovery stage. I can shower, dress myself, and prepare simple meals for myself. In reality, I do feel bad that I can’t take care of my family and friend’s needs. But I know that situation is temporary. My childhood caretaking traits were likely a defense against my fear of abandonment. However, they are now a well-established habit that gives me pleasure and a sense of genuine worth.
There is a theme that runs through my life and my blog posts. Things are neither good nor bad. It is how we view them that determines their meaning.
Somehow, as a very young child, I was able to take fear and anger and turn those feelings into strength—an imperfect strength, but a strength that has served me well throughout my life. Suppose I hadn’t faced certain situations in my early life. In that case, I don’t think I would have developed my problem-solving, empathy, and self-confidence abilities, which allowed me to do some amazing things. I find that counterpoint very interesting.
Things are neither good nor bad…they just are. What we do with them is what matters.
The recovery from shoulder surgery is often worse than the surgery itself. I had a rotator cuff injury that needed to be repaired. Since this was an elective procedure, I had some time to prepare for it, and I’d like to share some of that information with others who may be planning on a similar procedure. I’m posting this for informational and educational purposes only. This is not medical advice, and you should always follow the instructions from your caregivers.
How you compensate for having an arm in a sling will be determined by whether you are having surgery on your dominant arm or not. I had surgery on my right shoulder, which is also my dominant arm. Trying to do things with my left hand was awkward.
About a week before the surgery, I started to practice using only my left hand for basic functions like dressing and showering. I also tried to prepare simple meals using only that arm. It’s more complicated than you think, but it was easier to practice while I still had a functioning right arm to take over when needed. I discovered that there were some things that I could do well when practicing, but they became more difficult postop. For instance, I could put on a shirt using only one arm before surgery, but I needed assistance doing the same job once I had surgery. Update: I was able to put on a shirt by myself after a week post-op, but it was very uncomfortable to do.
I didn’t realize how huge my sling would be.
Assistance needed
Luckily, my family could assist me with jobs that would be difficult to do by myself, like removing my surgical bandage and replacing it with a waterproof barrier. If you are in a position where you are flying solo, discuss this with your doctor before your surgery. Perhaps you’ll need a nurse to check in on you. It’s always easier to arrange options beforehand.
I needed help with tasks like removing my surgical bandage and replacing it with a waterproof barrier. You can also see the breakaway shirt I purchased in this photo. It was helpful during my first three days as I couldn’t get a regular shirt over the bandage.
Setting things up
Most doctors suggest sleeping at an incline after rotator cuff surgery. Sleeping flat can be difficult as it places more pressure on your shoulder. People usually sleep in a recliner, but technically, you could sleep in a bed with a wedge pillow or on a couch with stacked pillows. I used a recliner.
My couch has built-in recliners on both ends and since my left hand would be free, I chose the end I could control with that hand. I decided to set up a recovery zone as I’d be spending a lot of time in that space. I ensured the end table next to my “nest” had a lamp I could access. I also had a spot for medication, a charging station for electronic devices, a cup of water, and space for gadgets I enjoy using.
This was the nest that I built. You can see my camper’s refrigerator freezer, then a small waste basket. Above the wastebasket is a TV tray with some electronics, and behind that is a table with medication, water, and a charging station. You can also see my back support, neck pillow, and other pillows that I used to make myself comfortable. Naturally, your needs may be different than mine.
Some people love books, and naturally, they should have books available. I’m more of an electronics person who reads books and magazines on a screen. I also write on a laptop, listen to music and the news, and do almost everything on a computer. I have a lightweight laptop, which I thought would be perfect. However, after surgery, I had a great deal of difficulty handling it as it was slippery, and when I tried to use my right hand to manipulate the mousepad, it caused me quite a bit of pain. Luckily, I have a small iPad Mini that I use when I travel. That was the perfect device, as I could easily manipulate it with one hand. In fact, I’m using speech to text dictation on it to type this post.
You might find yourself in a situation similar to mine, so it makes sense to see if you have a tablet computer around the house that you can use; if not, perhaps you can borrow one. I thought my iPad Mini’s 8-inch screen size was perfect. I would have bought a cheap tablet in a pinch if I did not have access to the Mini. I think any tablet with a screen of 7-11 inches would be usable, but an eight or nine-inch screen size is ideal as it allows for ample viewing and one-handed operation. Some can get by using their phone, but my phone’s screen was too small for me to view for long periods.
Some Android tablets can be bought for under $100, which would be worthwhile if you think you would use the device after your recovery. Small tablets make good e-readers and are great for media consumption when you’re lounging about. iPads are the best tablets (in my opinion), but inexpensive Android-based tablets can do most of the things a tablet user needs to do. Cheap Android tablets are unsuitable for high-resource games but can play simple games. If you are looking for affordable yet reputable tablets, consider the 8” Amazon Fire tablet or the 8” Walmart Onn tablet. Both are basic, but they work. The Onn tablet’s advantage is that it runs regular Android and can access millions of apps. The Fire tablet’s app store is more limited, but the tablet is tightly integrated into the Amazon ecosystem of Kindle ebooks, Prime videos, and Prime music.
My inability to use my computer lasted about a week. After that point, I was able to type with both hands. However, doing this for any length of time got my shoulder going. For quite a while post-op, I preferred the tablet, as it placed less strain on my right arm.
Regarding my recliner, I watched a YouTube video from an occupational therapist who recommended using supports for the neck and the back. The back support could be anything from an actual back support to a rolled towel to a small pillow. We had a removable back support on an office chair that I used. For my neck, I used a simple donut-style travel pillow, the kind you use on an airplane. Both supports made a difference as I tried sleeping with and without them, and I felt more comfortable with the supports in place.
I also had a variety of pillows and blankets that I could configure as my mood dictated. It can be challenging to sleep in a chair, and I wanted to maximize my comfort as much as possible. Overall, my recliner nest worked out well. However, after about a week of sleeping in a chair, I was ready to try my regular bed with a wedge pillow.
Hygiene
The more independent you can be, the better. Before my surgery, I practiced taking showers with one hand. It wasn’t as tricky as it sounds, but I had to adjust. I usually use bar soap, but I needed to give that up for shower gel in a pump bottle. The pump made it easy for me to get the soap out. I bought a shampoo and shower gel combo that worked for me. However, some people prefer separate products. I recommend getting all of those in pump bottles.
I bought a combination of shampoo and shower gel that came with a pump bottle. However, if you want to be fancy, you can go with decorator bottles that do the same.
It’s difficult to wash under your arms during recovery from rotator cuff surgery. I purchased an inexpensive sponge on a flexible rod from Amazon that helped in that area. I usually use a stick-type deodorant, but applying that post-op was impossible. Instead, I bought some deodorant in an aerosol can. These simple things allowed me to shower independently.
This sponge stick was inexpensive. But it allowed me to wash areas that I couldn’t do postop.
Your doctor will give you specific instructions on showering. My doctor told me that I could remove my bandage in three days. At that point, he told me to cover my incision sites with waterproof material. The only times that I was allowed to take off my sling were during showering, physical therapy, and putting my clothes on. I felt more secure keeping my arm in a sling when showering, and I purchased an inexpensive mesh sling from Amazon. Some patients will buy an inexpensive standard sling from the drugstore for showering, which serves the same purpose. You don’t want to get your expensive prescription sling wet.
I only used this shower sling a few times until I was comfortable showering while keeping my arms still. However, it was very inexpensive and made me feel more secure when I did use it.
I’m fortunate that our shower head detaches from the wall. We also had a shower chair from a past surgery that I could use. These things made my shower life a little easier, but I could have adapted to a less perfect situation if necessary.
Most doctors will ask you to protect your surgical site from water until the incisions are healed. They will tell you to use a waterproof barrier, and I found that Tegadem worked well. This is a transparent film that is breathable but waterproof. It comes in sheets of various sizes and clear bandages. Bathing in a tub should be avoided until your wound sites completely heal.
Men, I recommend sitting for all bathroom tasks until you are steady on your feet. Adapting wiping techniques is straightforward with a bit of creativity. However, I was fortunate to have a bidet.
I use an electric toothbrush and recommend that for anyone undergoing this procedure. You could use a regular toothbrush, but it would be a bit awkward. If possible, get a tube of toothpaste that has a flip-open lid instead of a screw cap.
I’m retired, and I’m letting my beard grow. However, if I had to be tidy, I would switch from my regular razor to an electric razor, which I believe I could manage with one hand.
Ice
Most doctors recommend that you ice your shoulder regularly after surgery. In my case, my doctor wanted me to ice 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off. Right after surgery, my very thick shoulder bandage blocked any coolness to my shoulder. However, I could place an ice pack close to my wound site by tucking it up into my sling, and that provided some comfort.
The surgicenter discharged me with a cheap disposable ice bag that I could fill with ice cubes and water. This was a poor solution. My sister gave me blue gel ice packs she used for her knee surgery. They worked well. They remained flexible when frozen, making it easy to place them where I needed to, and they stayed cold for a long time.
A variety of companies sell these gel ice packs. They’re inexpensive, flexible, and stay cold for a long time.
She also lent me a cool therapy ice machine but couldn’t find her AC adapter. I ordered one on Amazon, and it arrived three days after my surgery. The ice machine was terrific as it provided a constant cold to my wound site (by then, I had my bandage off). I found that freezing disposable water bottles worked better than using ice cubes. I had two sets of water bottles and would freeze one while using the other. Naturally, there was also water in the therapy machine as that was what was circulated to my shoulder. I think buying an expensive cool therapy machine for shoulder surgery would be overkill, but if you can borrow one or if your insurance will cover the rental of one, I would highly recommend it; otherwise, I liked the inexpensive gel packs.
Cool theory machines are excellent. But they’re pretty expensive.
When I retired, I built a camper van with a friend. The build included a chest-style refrigerator/freezer. I moved the camper’s fridge to my family room to freeze my ice packs and water bottles. I also kept some frozen meals in it. I still have kids at home who are always on the hunt for a quick meal, and keeping some meals in my little freezer ensured I had easy-to-make food on hand. My camper fridge/freezer was a convenient option. I used it because I had it. Otherwise, a regular freezer would be fine.
Food
Preparing and eating food can be challenging, even for simple tasks like opening a can. Luckily, many inexpensive adaptive gadgets can help with everything from opening a jar to pulling a pop top.
These silicone mats are not only great for gripping, but they can also stabilize a jar or a bowl on the table. This pop top puller was only a few dollars and was very welcomed by my cat, who demands to be fed first thing in the morning
Generally, I went for food items that I could prepare with one hand. I purchased some single-serving frozen dinners that I could easily make in a microwave. I also purchased soup in cans. As far as the soups were concerned, we already had a microwavable bowl cozy. This allowed me to take the bowls from the microwave without scalding myself. If I hadn’t had the cozy, I think it would have been safer to heat them on our induction stove.
A friend made us this soup cozy several years ago. We use it all the time. It’s convenient when taking hot bowls out of the microwave.
Fortunately, my wife and kids took turns making dinner, so there was something to eat at dinner time. However, lunchtime was more on my clock; I picked things I could easily make and never went hungry.
Clothing
Dressing can be a challenge. It’s much easier if you can stay at home during your early recovery, which is what I did. Starting from the feet, I recommend slippers or socks that pull on easily. If you are going out, wear slip-ons or those shoes from Kizik and Skechers that can be put on hands-free.
Stretchy underwear helps, and elastic waistband-type pants are a must. The pants could be sweatpants, pajama pants, or whatever you have. In warmer weather, elastic waistband workout shorts would work. You don’t want to wear pants with buckles and zippers, as both are difficult to close with one hand.
Most recommend using button-down shirts, as getting them around your wounded shoulder is more manageable. Stretchy T-shirts also work. It’s January, but I’m wearing a short-sleeve shirt, as pulling on a long-sleeve is difficult for me.
I purchased a special shirt for shoulder injuries that had snaps along its edge, allowing me to open up one side of the shirt. This was helpful during the first three days of my recovery as I was wearing a gigantic bandage on my injured shoulder, making it impossible to pull any regular shirt over it. After the bandage was off, I could wear button shirts and stretchy T-shirts.
Some crafty folks buy a few cheap tee shirts, split them along their seams, and reattach the two sides with Velcro. If you are a non-sewer, you can use scissors to open the bottom of the arm of a cheap tee shirt to accommodate the shoulder bandage. If desired, you can reattach the opening using safety pins.
This should go without saying, but always sit when you put on your clothing. Standing carries the potential for a fall, a disaster for your healing shoulder. A little stool works well, as does sitting on the toilet seat.
Pain management
You’ll likely be offered a nerve block, an optional procedure. My anesthesiologist highly recommended it. It numbed my arm from surgery to about 8 p.m. and was a godsend. At 8 PM, I started to feel some pain and took a pain pill plus naproxen per my doctor’s instructions. However, at two in the morning, I woke up in horrific pain, at which point I took another pain pill. Unfortunately, that one took about an hour before it kicked in. After that point, I was pretty aggressive with my pain management, especially at night. I would set an alarm to wake me so I could take a dose before the last pill wore off. This allowed me to sleep and kept my pain down to a manageable level. The pain does get better every day, so I was able to taper the narcotic pills over time. Naturally, I always followed my doctor’s advice and instructions.
A word of advice. If you think you’ll be taking medication during the night, it sometimes makes sense to have that medication out and ready in a little container. In a sleepy state, you may take the wrong medicine or too much medication if you pour it out of a medicine bottle. In addition, you can invert the “child-proof” cap on most prescription medicine bottles to turn them into simple screw caps. With both of the above suggestions, use common sense if you have little ones about; you don’t want them getting into your medications.
Other medications
My doctor gave me a prescription medication for nausea, which surprised me. I’ve had other surgeries and never suffered from long-term nausea postop. However, I had quite a bit of nausea after this surgery and was grateful to have the prescription medication.
Doctors often recommend taking some sort of stool softener, which may be a pill or just extra fiber. Narcotic pain medication can be constipating, and no one wants to have to deal with that, along with shoulder pain. If your doctor doesn’t prescribe some sort of stool softener, ask for his or her recommendations on this topic.
Cautionary note
There’s a lot of advice about rotator cuff surgery on YouTube from patients and orthopedic surgeons. You must follow your doctor’s advice. Different doctors do different procedures, and taking another doctor’s advice could potentially hamper your recovery.
Likewise, although the patient-created YouTube videos I watched seemed sincere, their suggestions varied. Use common sense when watching them. I used them primarily for mobility tips rather than orthopedic advice.
I also found videos from occupational therapists discussing topics like getting dressed or sleeping in a recliner. I found those the most helpful.
Final thoughts
Rotator cuff surgery is relatively common but can be an unpleasant recovery. With planning, life becomes more manageable. Make sure you follow your doctor’s advice. You’ll be given written instructions that you should read several times. I found information on my second read that I missed on the first. Remember not to push your recovery limits, as you could potentially re-tear your rotator cuff and cause more problems—best of luck.
The above is my personal opinion and should not be construed as medical advice.
Images are my own and from various websites and are used for educational purposes only.
As my relatives age, I have become increasingly aware of the importance of seniors having internet access. It is how we communicate, entertain ourselves, do business activities, and shop. Most of us have some sort of smartphone, but if you are a senior, it can be challenging to view a tiny screen or to press tiny on-screen buttons.
My oldest sister is in her 80s and no longer chooses to deal with the hassle of a laptop. Yet, she wants to stay current with social media and news outlets. She switched to an iPad some years ago and hasn’t looked back.
The advantage of a tablet computer, like an iPad, is that it is very hands-on and graphical. Open a program? Press an icon. Turn the page when reading an e-book? Swipe. Fill in a form? Touch a text box and tap in your answer using the sizeable on-screen keyboard. Watch a YouTube video? Press and go! There is no need to type commands or even navigate a mouse.
In a recent post, I wrote extensively about laptops and tablets for seniors. A tablet is the way to go for those who are technologically challenged. The basic iPad is my number one tablet recommendation for seniors; it retails for around $350. It is very intuitive and a pleasure to use. However, $350 can be out-of-range for some, so I also listed (and tested) a couple of sub-two hundred dollar tablets that ran the Android operating system. Although not quite as nice as the iPad, they were still very useable.
While researching the topic, I found several favorable reviews of Walmart’s Onn 10.1 tablet (2024 version). This tablet intrigued me because it was less than $100. Some seniors have minimal incomes, but many can afford $100. Additionally, a $100 gifted tablet from a friend or loved one would not be out of the question. Lastly, at the other end of the age spectrum, a $100 tablet could be a reasonable choice for a child who always wants to play with mom’s smartphone. Would such a device be useable or an exercise in frustration? That is what I decided to test.
For those interested in the bottom line, the Walmart Onn 10.1 tablet (2024 version) is a viable solution for those on a budget. If you can afford a basic iPad, go with that. Even a sub-two hundred dollar Android table will give you a better experience than the Onn 10.1. However, after testing the Onn for several weeks, it is entirely usable and would serve the needs of most seniors. Please note that I’m reviewing the 2024 version. Walmart sells a 2022 version for less than $60, but its 2 GB of RAM is inadequate. In addition, that tablet is running an outdated version of Android.
Let’s dig into the weeds.
The Walmart Onn 10.1 (2024 edition) tablet is available in several colors for a low price of $99.00. Various cases can be had for an additional $10-20. It is highly recommended that you purchase a protective case, preferably one with a way to stand the tablet up for movie watching.
Hardware
The Onn 10.1, 2024 edition features 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of memory/storage. This is the bare minimum needed for a modern tablet. Running a single app at a time (like Facebook) takes a few seconds to load, but once loaded, it runs well. This tablet is not suited to run multiple programs at once. The 32 GB of memory/storage is sufficient for most casual users who want to play simple games, check in to Facebook, watch Netflix, etc. This tablet has a micro-SD expansion slot, so you can inexpensively add additional storage. This extra storage would be helpful for those who have significant storage needs—for instance, those wanting many movies stored directly on their tablet.
Memory/Storage
The Onn comes preloaded with a lot of useful software, including:
Gmail (email program)
Google Maps (mapping program)
Google Drive (cloud storage)
Google TV (TV-watching app, subscription needed)
Play Books (e-books similar to Amazon Kindle. Some books are free, others purchased)
Google Wallet (e-wallet to pay for things, use e-hotel keys, carry an e-driver license and more)
Google Contacts (e-address book)
Google Photos (photo storage in the cloud and photo editing)
YouTube (video-watching site)
Google Meet (video conferencing similar to ZOOM)
Google Calendar (e-calendar)
A calculator
An alarm clock/timer
And more
I loaded some additional apps that seniors might use, including simple games. Your app needs could be different. I was primarily interested in seeing how much storage would be left on the tablet after loading a “typical” number of apps. It is very easy to add apps using the included Google Play store. These are the apps that I added:
Netflix (for movie and TV watching)
Facebook (social media app)
Facebook Messenger (a texting app).
WhatsApp (a texting, voice calling, and video chat program).
Google Chat (texting and video chat program).
The Weather Channel (weather information).
Jewel/Osco (a grocery/pharmacy app for online shopping and prescription renewal).
Amazon (shopping app).
eBay (shopping app).
State Farm (car/home insurance app).
Solitaire (game).
Candy Crush (game).
Chess (game).
Docs (Google’s free word processor).
Sheets (Google’s free spreadsheet program).
My Chart (Portal to healthcare providers).
Spotify (streaming music app).
Epson Print (print and document scanning for Epson printers)
Note: I use a nation-wide bank which has an app. However, the Onn was incompatible with that app (although other bank apps were compatible). However, I could still easily access my bank using its website via the included Chrome Internet browser.
After adding these programs, 10 GB of the 32 GB of initial storage remained. That is plenty to store a bunch of photos or documents. A 128 GB micro-SD card can be purchased for around $10 if more storage is needed.
Display
The 10” display is the perfect size for most. It is large yet easy to hold. The Onn 10.1 tablet (2024) has a screen resolution of 1280 x 800, less than many tablets. Photos and videos look fine. Print is OK but not as crisp as on tablets with higher pixel counts. I was initially very aware of the softer-looking text, but I adjusted to it over time. However, it may be tiring to read very long documents.
Watching Videos/Video Calls
I had no problems watching videos on this tablet. The images were sharp and clear.
I tried several video chat programs, including WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Google Chat, and I could make video calls. The 2 MP front-facing camera was not the greatest, but it did the job well enough.
Video calls worked pretty well.
Texting
I tried texting using several apps, including WhatsApp, Google Chat, and Facebook Messenger. They all worked well. You can also link your phone and send standard text messages from this tablet, but I didn’t try that function.
Using the included Chrome browser
Tablets from years past used inferior browsers, but newer tablets, like the Onn 10.1 (2024), have browsers that look similar to their PC counterparts. I had no problem viewing websites, filling out forms, or checking bank balances.
Email
You need a free Google Gmail account to log into any Android device, including this tablet. It is easy to sign up for one. If you already use a non-Google email address, add that account to the Gmail mail client or use a separate dedicated app or website client.
Logging in
To open this tablet, you must enter an eight-number digital password. The Onn does not have sophisticated security functions like face or fingerprint recognition.
Operating speed
My iPad instantly opens apps, while the Onn takes a few seconds. My iPad can run multiple programs simultaneously, while the Onn is best at running just one program at a time. Scrolling on my iPad was smooth as butter but a bit less smooth on the Onn. However, none of these are deal breakers. I would have been pleased with its performance if I hadn’t directly compared the Onn to my iPad.
Battery life/charging speed
Battery life was excellent. I used the Onn extensively for two days and still had a battery to spare. However, charging times are slow. It is best to plug in the Onn overnight to prepare for the next day.
Speakers
The Onn’s on-board speaker is loud but lacks bass and is a bit harsh. However, it was perfectly useable.
Ports/headphone jack
The Onn lacks a headphone jack, a trend in many newer tablets. However, you can still connect headphones, dramatically improving the tablet’s sound.
The only port on the Onn is a multi-function USB C port. This port allows you to charge the Onn and connect it to many things. You can connect wired USB-C headphones, which can be purchased inexpensively, and other peripherals, like a keyboard or hub.
WiFi/Bluetooth
I found it easy to connect the Onn to my WiFi network, and the connection was stable. The Onn has Bluetooth capabilities that can connect many things, from wireless keyboards to wireless headphones/earbuds.
Cameras
The Onn has a front-facing 2 MP and a rear-facing 5 MP camera. The photo quality is barely acceptable. It is good enough to send a friend a photo of an outfit you bought or have a video call with the grand-kids. Better tablets have better cameras.
The 2 MP front camera is usable for video calls.The 5 MP rear camera was pretty poor with terrible dynamic range and detail.
Build
The build quality is surprisingly good with an aluminum case. However, the case is a bit slippery.
Accessories to consider
A case is a must, as the Onn is slippery. I bought a cheap $10 case, which is fine, but it could not prop up the Onn. I would spend a few dollars more and buy a case that props up the Onn for movie-watching.
Headphones are also nice, providing much better audio quality and private listening. USB-C headphones can be plugged in, and the Onn can also use wireless headphones and earbuds via Bluetooth.
Bluetooth keyboards come in a variety of sizes and styles. Some are full-sized, others are part of a case, and still others can be folded for travel. They are handy if the user plans on doing a lot of keyboard work on their tablet, such as writing long emails.
Bottom line
Yes, there are better tablets, my favorite being the iPad. However, for less than $100, the Onn 10.1 (2024 edition) provides excellent value and can do almost any basic task that an average senior needs. If money is tight, I recommend the Onn 10.1 (2024 edition), available only at Walmart or Walmart.com.
I remember when one of my training supervisors got a car phone. He told me, “You wouldn’t believe how much time it saves me, Mike. I return all my calls while I’m driving home!” I was pretty stoked about the technology. How amazing it would be not to have to hunt for a slimy public phone when I needed to return a page. “When I get a real job, the first thing I’m going to do is have a car phone installed,” I said to myself.
That opportunity came during my first year as an attending physician. A Christmas bonus from my boss covered the high $2000 price, not for a car phone but for an even more fantastic phone I could carry.
I recall the excitement that I felt when I purchased it in 1988. It was a Panasonic and roughly the size of a box of cigars. The phone had a separate handset and was powered by a lead acid camcorder battery. It was so heavy that its strap would hurt my shoulder if I had to carry it more than a block, and its only abilities were making and receiving phone calls. Yet, people would stop me on the street and ask, “Is that a phone?” When I nodded, they sometimes gasped and uttered, “Wow,” under their breath. It was incredible, and I felt cool having it.
I thought I was pretty cook carrying around my Panasonic “mobile phone.”
After a few years of breaking my back, it was time to upgrade, but I can’t remember to what. I’m sure it was one of those candy bar-style phones, as they were much smaller and lighter. Sometime during the mid-1990s, I got a Motorola StarTec flip phone, one of the skinny ones that easily could slip into my pants pocket. I felt that I was riding on the cutting edge of technology.
This flip phone was state-of-the-art when I bought it in the late ’90s. Mine was a cool “putty” color.
I had a few other phones in the 2000s, but their memory has faded.
During that same period, I used electronic organizers called PDAs (Pocket Digital Assistants) and went through a series of them, including several from Sharp. I eventually landed on a Handspring Visor that used the Palm operating system. That device was terrific, as it easily synced to my computer and could run useful programs, many of which were free. What would it be like to combine the features of my PDA with a phone in one little box? I pondered. Others obviously thought the same thing, and a few years later, smartphones hit the market.
I had a few Sharp PDA-style organizers. They looked pretty cool, but you lost all of your data if the battery went dead. Plus, they were a pain to backup on a computer. One of the doctors I knew told me about his Palm Pilot, and I bought a Handspring Visor, which ran Palm OS. Wow, that was a great device. It was small, efficient, could run programs, and had a matching app for my computer. I enjoyed using it.
You may think Apple invented the smartphone, but that is untrue. Apple was late to the game, introducing its first iPhone in 2007. Before that time, most smartphones had physical keyboards, and Apple’s keyboardless design was so unique that then-CEO of Microsoft Steve Ballmer ridiculed it, saying, “There’s no chance that the iPhone is going to get any significant market share.” He was obviously wrong.
I had a primitive and clunky Windows CE smartphone and then an early Android phone from HTC. The latter would spontaneously reboot itself right during a phone call. The HTC was so terrible that I started to refer to it as a dumbphone.
I had a Windows CE Smartphone similar to this one. It looked cool, but its software was super clunky. I thought the phone used a light version of Windows, but that was in name only. It ran its own OS which was pretty terrible.I upgraded to this HTC phone, which used an early version of Android. I researched the phone, and its initial reviews were great. However, it had hardware problems and would constantly crash, often in the middle of a phone conversation.
Patients would come into my office and show me their new iPhones. They were as proud as if they were telling me about a fabulous trip abroad or their new Mercedes. Even the early iterations of the iPhone were spectacular. Where my dumbphone took grainy photos, their iPhones did a decent job. Things we now take for granted, like watching a YouTube video on a phone, were utterly unique and impressive. During that time, Apple had an ad campaign emphasizing what an iPhone could do. For every problem, there’s an app for that, the commercials said. Many other smartphones of the day seemed to be works in progress, but the iPhone had its act together. It was a next-generation device.
People were so proud of their new iPhones that they would pull them out and show them to me.
I eventually gave up on my dumbphone and bought an iPhone. I can’t remember which version, possibly an iPhone 3 or 4. I was already using a Mac, and purchasing an iPhone solidly transformed me into an Apple fanboy. I followed iPhone news and rumors the way that some follow sports teams. I was not alone, as people would wait overnight in line to get their hands on the latest model. It seemed like every version was more impressive than the last.
My first iPhone looked something like this.
I joined with the others, buying a new phone every 2-4 years, and each time, I was amazed at the model’s meaningful advances. I’m a photographer, and the cameras got better and better. Newer phones worked on updated cell frequencies, allowing me to call from more remote places. The phones seamlessly integrated with my Mac, permitting me to start a project on one device and finish it on another. The phones had ever-improving GPS to get me to my destination despite my poor sense of direction. Video calling was available on other devices, but it was pretty awful. Apple’s FaceTime worked well. An iPhone could record excellent video, so I could leave my camcorder behind when attending my kids’ events. The advantages continued; I felt like I was carrying a miracle in my pocket.
Although many of the advances were software-based, they were fueled by ever more powerful and sophisticated hardware.
I traded in my iPhone 10 for an iPhone 12 Pro Max. The new phone had three rear cameras, giving me regular, wide-angle, and telephoto lenses. That flexibility allowed me to leave my pro camera behind, even when traveling. It was a significant advancement. However, there was something concerning about that phone. It was of a lower build quality than my previous iPhones. At one point, the battery swelled for no reason and cracked the screen. Then, the lightning connector failed, causing me to upgrade to an iPhone 14 Pro Max. A phone that I have used until last week. The iPhone 14 also had significant improvements over previous versions. Notably, It could connect to satellite emergency services if it was out of cell coverage range. I travel to remote places that lack cell coverage, making that feature highly desirable.
I did not intend to replace my iPhone 14 Pro Max; however, I noticed its lightning connector was starting to fail. I was also aware that my battery was degrading faster than the batteries on previous models. I pondered if Apple was practicing a little planned obsolescence.
My 14 Pro Max had an excellent trade-in value, so I decided to upgrade my phone before the port worsened or other things started to break, as they would lessen the amount of trade-in cash I would get. I now have an iPhone 16 Pro Max. Is it the game-changer that previous generations were? I would say no. This phone is two generations beyond my last phone; it is more advanced on paper. It has better hardware, a bigger screen, extra buttons, and Apple Intelligence. The camera is also different, and the faster processor allows for a few more software tricks. However, with this iteration, the advancements don’t translate into performance differences that impact me in any way. Additionally, the software changes, like Apple Intelligence, seem more like novelties I had already used via other AI outlets. I’m sure that at some point in the future, Apple Intelligence will be the bomb, but by then, my 16 Pro Max will be outdated.
My new iPhone works great, but its new features don’t wow me like past versions of iPhones.
In the US, around 60% of phone users have an iPhone. Yes, new iPhones continue to offer new capabilities, but for most, they are unnecessary or unwanted. We generally text, call, FaceTime, use GPS, take photos, and do other things that have been available for generations of phones.
I don’t need AI to summarize a three-sentence text message or make a more adorable emoji, and having an extra camera button won’t improve my life. I don’t think I’m alone in my apathy. When was the last time you saw a news report of people waiting all night for the Apple store to open so they could be the first to get a new iPhone?
I’m sure Apple knows this reality, so they have moved towards subscription services. Now, you can rent your news, music, health app, TV shows, and cloud storage by paying Apple’s never-ending monthly subscriptions.
I wonder if they are cheaping on their parts, as my last two phones had major failures within a few years. That would be a shame, as one of Apple’s hallmarks is the quality of its products. Android phones are now very sophisticated, and decent Android phones can be bought at reasonable prices. Switching to Android would be inconvenient, but it would hardly be impossible.
With all of the above, you have probably guessed that my opinion of my upgrade is “Meh.” I’m sure that there are things that I will eventually appreciate, like changing the Lightning port to USB C, and I may even like Apple Intelligence if it can subsequently improve Siri’s responses. However, it offered nothing that my old phone couldn’t deliver.
Should you update your old iPhone for a new one? If you are happy with the functionality of your old phone, no. If it isn’t holding a charge, you may want to consider replacing the battery to give it new life. Phones are expensive, and now that they have become commonplace, there is no longer any status to have the latest one on the block. Will all of this impact Apple’s market share? I don’t know, and I’m not too concerned. I’m sure Tim Cook is working on options for Apple. Monthly subscription to rent your iPhone? Oh wait, that is already being done; it is called a cell phone plan.
Peace
Mike
Images from various websites are being used for educational purposes only. The above post is my personal opinion.
