Since we’re always trying to make life easier for elderly parents as well as ourselves, my last post was about using a cell phone to photograph concerns about aging parents’ observable healing problems.  See last post and think: suture area after surgery, wounds that need packing or dressings, slow-healing or possibly infected cuts, or lacerations,  rashes, long-lasting bruises…..

I followed up with the doctor’s office that suggests cell phone photos, to further inquire about the value of photos instead of an unplanned office visit. “Photos from an iPhone are very clear,” the efficient receptionist responded (plastic surgery is the specialty in that office). Upon further questioning it turns out she’s the person who thought of using cell phone cameras and this has very worked well and saved everyone time and unnecessary appointments, she says. However, she only can confirm that the iPhone takes very clear pictures. She didn’t speak to the clarity of other cell phones’ photos.

So I began thinking about the cost of an iPhone compared to other cell phones; then wondered how many adult children have iPhones; then wondered about the difference in clarity among cell phones’ cameras.

Clearly tens of millions of iPhones have been sold and don’t we see many teens, tweens, and younger using iPhones? If we don’t have one, is it worth borrowing an iPhone for a few minutes from one of the neighbors’ children or trying with the phone we have when our goal is to help parents age well?

When/if you try this, please tell us the make of your phone and the outcome.