Based on this added info I think it would be a major improvement. So I’d say go for it!

Honestly it largely depends on your main PC specs, but like you are hearing from others. It probably isn’t a good idea.

It is the largest reason. Storing the password is one thing but to make the device reasonable to use I would likely store the key’s in TPM with a backup key. I don’t think she would be technical enough to use the backup keys were something additional to happen.

BioMyth

I understand that giving the keys can partially solve the access problem. But she would still possibly be unable to use the device. Additionally, I don’t know that she would be capable of using the keys without additional assistance and we don’t have other techies in our community who could step up in that capacity.

I don’t for a pretty simple reason. I have a wife, if something ever happened to me then she could end up a creek without a paddle. So by not having it encrypted then, anyone kinda technical can just pull data off the drive.