Linda, aged 74, in the late stages Huntington’s Disease recently worked with a language speech pathologist at the local hospital. Attention was given to exploring assistive communications devices to facilitate communications with her care givers. After some research, TalkTablet from GUS Communications Devices was tried.
We found:
TalkTablet is easy to program. A Linda page with buttons to alert her care givers was developed: Cold; Bathroom; Thirsty; Yes; No; Tired; Hungry; are examples. Able to build own typed and voice vocabulary.
Once purchased, the app is portable to other smart devices.
The Chat feature allows communication with other smart devices with the app resident. Both devices have to active. No ability to wake up second or target device. Both devices need to be authorized/approved for the same WiFi net. If one device times out – both devices need to be reset/sync’ed and reactivated – fixable with settings on both devices. Appears proprietary messaging protocols were used. No Bluetooth capability.
Multi step operation – pHD touches a button, new screen is activated displaying message, typed. pHD then has to find and activate send button for message to appear/sound on target device. Biggest negative.
For a pHD with late stage cognitive and movement coordination issues using i-Pad touch screen with its slide/swoosh features is not user friendly. Second negative
Mechanics to reach, pick, up, hold and open i-Pad present problems for the impaired pHD. Available covers are bulky and add mass to be accommodated. Third negative

Age 74 is late in the game for someone in the advanced stages of HD to learn requisite motor control functions to use touch/swipe technologies. That said, working with a third party who is attentive and willing to learn about the issues and limitations presented by HD was a plus and made the exercise well worth the time and effort.

from the crab coast in the south of Maryland, Fred Lothrop

That is great news. It sounds like you are in good hands.