If the time has come to help a friend or family member save a few hundred bucks a year by doing away with their landline (as well cut back pesky telemarketing calls), you might be wondering: With so many cellphones on the market, how do I choose one that’s right for seniors?
Selecting the ideal device for seniors is a modified version of the process any cell phone user goes through when looking for a helpful change:
- Determine what you’re looking to get out of the phone (simple messaging, social media capabilities, readability options, etc.)
- Ensure carrier, manufacturer, and customer service have a good reputation.
- Review specifics of network coverage, pricing options, contract clauses, and other technical details.
Types of Cellphones
There are two main types of phones engineered for the needs of older users, including:
- Traditional flip phones designed for simplicity of function and ease of use. Their primary use includes making and receiving calls.
- Easy-to-use smartphones that feature streamlined home screens and general usability. These phones have all of the computing power of a smartphone, yet it is comparatively easier to navigate than your standard iPhone or comparable device.
Of course, a senior may be comfortable with tech, and therefore, there is no need for a device that has been optimized in such ways. Some of the best-reviewed options range from pay-as-you-go phones to fully-loaded smartphones from industry-leading manufacturers.
Upgrade or Simplify: Determining a Change for the Better
Seniors need different phones at separate points in their lives for varying reasons. Dad may have been just fine with his tiny smartphone a few years ago, but his finger tremors today can make hitting the right spots on his screen challenging. For him, switching from a smartphone to a flip phone with large, easy-to-press buttons could be the ideal solution.
On the contrary, even those who claimed they’d never give up their flip phone may be considering making the leap now that their friends and family are communicating in new ways. With increasingly popular social media platforms such as Snapchat and fun messaging features being added to common operating systems, hardcore holdouts may look twice at smartphones that are easy to use to stay in touch with the younger loved ones in their lives. “Smart” doesn’t have to mean “complicated” — in cases like these, it means optimal!
Photo Capabilities
Aside from disposable phones designed to be discarded after their built-in minutes are used up, it’s nearly impossible to find a modern cell phone that doesn’t feature a camera. Depending on the level of importance an individual has for taking photos, storing data, and sharing images with family and friends, seniors can go as standard or high-tech as they wish.
Accessibility, Safety, and Support
Here are additional considerations to make when you’re on the market for a new cell phone geared toward the senior community:
As a leading provider of home care services, as well as speech and language therapy, Caring Family Home Health understands that every senior’s needs are unique. As such, finding the perfect cell phone isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. For more information about how to best care for your senior, contact us today!
