The issue with the wheel-based iPods is that navigation and control of them kind of stinks. They're awkward for a perfectly able person IMO.

With the iPod touch thre's such an easy possibility to accidentally exit the music player app, plus the player constantly goes into standby leaving you with no control over your music until you awkwardly unlock it by swiping the unlock button. The double-tap to reveal transport controls is really hit-or-miss even for an able person. And it doesn't allow you to get back to navigating playlists or anything like that.

In the end one of them might work for Patrick's dad though. I don't know what kind of gadget experience he already has.