Most modern electronic devices are designed with the young generation as target customers. Seniors have a challenge adapting to new technologies and systems. At a certain age, the small screens, the new and better technologies, keys, navigation designs, and software interfaces may become unmanageable. Therefore, the best phones for seniors need easy-to-use interfaces, bigger screens or keys, and features that make their daily living easy. Such a phone will assist them to age in place independently.
With a good phone, seniors can keep in touch with loved ones to avoid feeling isolated. It can also help them manage their health and keep reminders for essential activities such as taking medication. They can also use their phones to call emergency service providers. However, when it comes to phones for seniors, there is no one-size-fits-all. Explore the options below to pick the right one for your parents or grandparents.
Key Features of Senior-Friendly Phones
There is a misconception that the best phones for seniors should be large and ugly feature phones that only allow them to make and receive calls. However, with technological advancements, smartphone companies have produced phones with senior-friendly features. These features allow them to contact emergency services, use voice commands, connect the devices to hearing and assistive devices, and do much more.
Seniors suffer different conditions that may make it challenging to use different phone features. Poor vision, arthritic hands, and mental conditions such as dementia may require the presence of unique features. Seniors in perfect health can use the everyday smartphone with customizable features. For seniors with physical and mental conditions that make it challenging to use the ordinary phone, consider having these features:
- A Senior-Friendly Keyboard – If you get a feature phone, you must ensure it has a large keypad. Smartphones should have keyboards whose size you can adjust. A large keyboard makes it easier for seniors to search for features and text their loved ones. This should be combined with an easy-to-read font, allowing them to receive and send messages. Smartphones have a zoom feature, and you can adjust the font to one that is visible.
- Large, Bright, and Clear Display – With poor vision, seniors need a phone whose screen shows everything clearly. The size and arrangement of icons on the screen should be logical. Everything needs to be simple enough for seniors to access. Some features are more important than others – making and receiving calls and setting an alarm are essential for seniors.
- SOS Button – An SOS button comes in handy when seniors do not have the time to dial 911. The button allows them to contact emergency services at the touch of one button. If your loved one uses a smartphone, there are unique apps that can monitor the activities of a loved one. These safety and emergency alert apps send caregivers and family members an alert when the senior has not been active.
- Safety and Emergency Features – The best phones for seniors with conditions like dementia should keep track of their activities. Modern, senior-friendly devices offer movement detectors. The devices come with built-in apps that detect whether seniors have used the smartphones, what they used them for, and if there is a prolonged inactivity period. A location identifier works hand-in-hand with inactivity monitoring to notify emergency service providers where the senior is in case of an emergency.
- Voice-Activated Features – Keystrokes can be challenging for seniors with arthritis and poor vision. Opting for voice-activated features will help seniors navigate complex navigation systems. Features such as voice dialing, text-to-speech, and voice texting are handy.
- Haptic Aids – These features are ideal for protecting a phone from damage if it falls. They give the phone enough grips so it doesn’t slide.
- Battery Life – The best phones for seniors stay on for a week or more before a recharge. These ensure the senior is always available on the phone as they have enough time to plan for the charge. They can charge such devices on specific days of the week and are sure they will not run out of juice when they need to call for emergency services.
Today, seniors want to stay updated. Part of aging in place and living independently involves accessing information, reaching out to friends, and being in touch with what is happening around them. As such, some of the best phones for seniors should have access to the Internet. These phones are ideal for running many of the apps that a senior needs. It also allows them to automate bill payments and efficiently run emergency apps.
Best Phones for Seniors
Any of the devices below can meet the needs of seniors. However, some seniors want more features than others. As such, take your time to pick the device that meets the needs of your loved ones.
Jitterbug Flip by GreatCall
The best phones for seniors are always simple – Jitterbug Flip fits that description perfectly. It is easy to navigate, has a large and highly visible screen, and features an urgent response button. When seniors only need to make and receive calls, this device serves them.
Jitterbug Flip features a large backlit keypad that allows easy navigation of the simple menu. Its 5Star Urgent Response button allows seniors to call emergency service providers at the touch of a button. Older models used Verizon 3G, but the new models can access the Verizon 4G LTE network. Seniors, therefore, have access to fast Internet for better access to information.
Design and Features
Jitterbug Flip weighs 4.7 ounces. It is a relatively large device, but that is only because of its large display and keypad. Its 1.44-inch display shows the time, date, and the status of the 5Star button. It will also show incoming calls and messages in large fonts for excellent visibility. This color display shows items in monochrome to conserve battery.
On the right side of the Jitterbug is a flashlight button, an audio jack, and a USB charging port. These are easily accessible, so seniors can quickly light up their way and charge the device. There is a very loud speaker on the rear that seniors can use to listen to music and listen in on calls.
If you want a large display, you flip the phone. This will give seniors access to a 3.2-inch display that is bright and offers several viewing angles. The display is excellent for outdoor use with its large font. Seniors with poor vision will love this larger screen.
Seniors will access HD quality calls, and the phone allows nationwide coverage. The earpiece and speaker volume provide clear voices that are free from noises. The noise cancellation feature is excellent; seniors can connect the phone to Bluetooth headsets.
When a senior presses the 5Star button, the phone uses Wi-Fi and GPS to give location details to first responders. The device has a surprisingly impressive 2-megapixel back camera for seniors who want to document moments.
Phone Plans
GreatCall phones use the Verizon network. Seniors and their families can access particular services, which makes this one of the best phones for seniors. Seniors must pay about $45 to access 600 minutes, emergency services, a live operator, GreatCall Link, and phone insurance. The 5Star Urgent Response button, Urgent Care, and GreatCall Link are features unique to Jitterbug Flip. These features allow seniors to get in touch with humans and access fast emergency services. The GreatCall Link, for instance, allows loved ones to track the activities and location of seniors through a smartphone app.
Pros
- Simple interface
- Removable solid battery with 10 hours of talk time
- Large display and backlit keypad
Cons
- No internet access; only access Wi-Fi when the SOS button is pressed.
Doro 7050
The Doro 7050 is one of the best phones for seniors who need to make and receive calls. It connects to AT&T’s LTE, which offers a wide coverage area for seniors to make calls nationwide. The keypad is large enough, and the speaker is impressive for a $50 phone. It is one of the flip phones with 4G, which means better coverage.
How’s the Design of the Doro 7050?
The Doro 7050 has the design of an ordinary flip phone. It weighs 4.3 ounces thanks to the large keypad and display. The keypad is the real deal on this phone. Its keys are raised, each standing independently, and types with a clicky sound. A large power button and a hang-up button make operation even more accessible.
The LCD is monochrome, which ensures the battery stays live for a few days. This display shows time, battery percentage, date, and incoming calls and messages. Better still, the device lights a small green flash when a missed call occurs. When the phone flips, it exposes a 2.8-inch LCD with a high-contrast theme and large fronts.
Seniors can contact emergency services through the emergency button at the back of the phone. The button can be customized to call a specific number when pressed three times. It can call 911 or any other number you input. If the senior has dementia, you can lock the phone to fixed dialing, where it can only call and receive calls from allowed numbers.
Phone Plans
The 7050 is a product of Consumer Cellular, which uses the AT&T network. Seniors can go for the $20-per-month plan that offers 250 minutes of talk time with unlimited text. Unlike the GreatCall phone above, this device doesn’t offer health and safety services. This makes its plans cheaper, but you may have less access to information than with GreatCall.
As one of the best phones for seniors, this device has only a few features. It has a photo gallery, file manager, flashlight, calendar, FM radio, and calculator. You can save 500 contacts and 2GB of videos and photos. However, it doesn’t offer a web browser, so seniors cannot download anything or send emails.
A micro-USB slot can accommodate up to 256GB cards for photos and videos.
Pros
- Offers both 3G and 4G for great coverage
- Large backlit keypad
- Simple interface for ease of use
- HD voice calls
Cons
- Poor camera quality
- No access to the Internet
Consumer Cellular GrandPad
Your grandmother wants to see pictures of your babies; the Grandpad can help them do that. This is one of the best phones for seniors who want to stay connected even if they know nothing about tech. The Grandpad is a tablet customized for people with less tech know-how. It offers a large screen and the features seniors need to watch videos and take photos of their kids and grandkids. Consumer Cellular simplified the internet access features so seniors do not have to deal with anything complicated.
Design and Features
The GrandPad is an 8-inch tablet that weighs 12.5 pounds. It features a wireless charging dock on which you can place it to convert it into a desktop device and charge it quickly. It doesn’t need to connect to a Wi-Fi network as it runs on Consumer Cellular’s T-Mobile to access the Internet.
Although the tablet runs on Android, it doesn’t work like any other Android device. It features big icons for email, photos, cameras, calls, weather, messages, music, games, a flashlight, and an encyclopedia. What makes the tablet great is that a caregiver or a relative can manage the photo album and the contact book through a smartphone. A senior doesn’t have to do anything to access photos as the smartphone user pushes everything to them through an LTE connection.
There are potent speakers on the front of the device and a front camera for video calls. An on-screen keyboard allows seniors to type emails or read the emails that go out as voice mail.
The games, articles, and music features are all curated for seniors. Games such as blackjack, hearts, and classic and band music will keep users entertained.
Plans
Seniors will have access to the T-Mobile LTE network. Several plans are available for seniors to access calls, messages, and the Internet. Consumer Cellular offers free support reps for seniors to make this one of the best phones for seniors.
Pros
- Large display for clear visibility
- Simplified internet access
- Large icons for important features
Cons
- The front camera quality is not high-res
Snapfon two
A voice-only phone is among the best phones for seniors who do not want more than to make calls. The two 3G sports an old-school look with large but simple rubbery keys on the font. As one of the best phones for seniors, it has a powerful removable battery that will last a week on standby.
The Design and Features
The two 3G has a simple black-on-white display that offers excellent visibility. This display shows battery percentage, signal strength, time and date, and caller details. The device further features buttons such as a lock switch, flashlight, camera, and volume buttons to enhance ease of use.
At only 2.8 ounces, the device is among the lightest best phones for seniors. It feels like a rugged device, but you shouldn’t drop it in the water. The icons on the screen are large enough for weak eyes, and the interface seems simple enough for anyone looking for simplicity.
Plans
The two 3G is an advancement of the earlier 2G model. THE OLDER DEVICE IS NO LONGER ACTIVE since AT&T switched off 2G on its devices. This new device can connect to AT&T or T-Mobile networks to give you a wide range of plans.
The voice quality is good, thanks to the advanced earpiece and speaker. People with hearing difficulty will love this device as you can use it outside and inside with great clarity. Although the device does not offer voice commands, it offers a speaking keypad that reads out numbers as you press them on the keypad. An SOS button at the back of the device allows seniors to call for emergency services.
Pros
- The interface is easy to use, with large icons
- The earpiece and speaker are loud enough
- Big buttons
Cons
- Limited functions for seniors who need digital features
- No LTE coverage
Nokia 3310
The Nokia 3310 3G brings back the 2005-era of phones. It is one of the best phones for seniors who want to leave their smartphones behind and pick a device that allows calls and messages. This voice phone is attractive and feels solid on your hands.
Design and Features
As one of the best phones for seniors, this design sports a simple and easy-to-use interface. The 3.1-ounce phone has a 320-by-240 color LCD screen with large icons for easy use. Seniors can access the flashlight, camera, and speakerphone features at the back of the phone. Although not water resistant, the feature phone can handle a few drops without significant damage.
You will have the standard apps such as a calendar, video player, Opera Mini web browser, music player, and contact book. With Opera Mini, you can download games and music and access social media sites and Google. You will also have access to a few games, such as Snake. You only have 128MB built-in storage, but you can add a micro-USB. Connect the device to Android devices via Bluetooth to access files.
Plan and Voice Quality
You can connect this device to the T-Mobile 2G network the carrier reserves for Internet of Things gadgets or the AT&T 3GG network. With these two, you will have several plans to choose from. Its voice quality is just perfect for seniors.
Pros
- The design feels solid on seniors’ hands
- Inexpensive option for a feature phone
- Simple interface
Cons
- Limited network coverage
- Slow Bluetooth version
Additional Senior Phone Considerations
The best phones for seniors should be devices that are easy to use. Once you have the phone, you must customize it to meet their needs. c include:
- Setting up unique ringtones for familiar callers
- Adding emergency contacts or contacts of relatives for SOS calling
- Making the icons significant on touchscreen devices
- Choosing a font and font size that seniors can see with ease
- If the best phones for seniors offer an on-screen keyboard, make it large
- Configure lock screen for safety and privacy
You must also set alarms and reminders for these devices’ medication, charging, and other essential activities. Further, the senior needs a pouch or cell phone case that hangs around their neck to keep the phone close. The phone is only effective if they can remember where they kept it.
If they have a smartwatch, you can connect it to the phone to access even more features. Further, you need to add the necessary accessories to protect the phone from damage from falls.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What are the main benefits of senior-friendly phones?
They are simple enough to use. Caregivers and family members can program them to meet the needs of seniors without any confusing features. That means they can be customized to perform only specific functions and call specific numbers.
- Can I use a senior phone with my existing phone plan?
Most of the best phones for seniors may not have LTE, which locks them off most of the plans. It would help if you had a different plan for your senior-friendly phone. You can have two phones on the same account but with different plans.
- Are these phones easy for seniors with limited tech experience to set up and use?
Yes. Even the available smartphones for seniors offer a simple interface. Most of these allow you to set them up or send apps and files to them from a different device. The phones have straightforward setup processes for seniors.
- Can senior phones be used with hearing aids?
Yes. Phones such as Jitterbug Flip are hearing aid compatible. Check phones with an M rating – the rating is between 1 and 4, with 4 being the most compatible.
- Is there a phone with larger buttons and fonts for visually impaired seniors?
Feature phones have large buttons for ease of use. If you go for a smartphone, you can adjust the side of the on-screen keyboard to make the numbers and letters more visible.
Conclusion
Some seniors want to have a typical smartphone. For such seniors, you only need to customize the phone to meet their needs. You will need a particular senior-friendly phone if the senior has physical and mental challenges. These phones have large buttons or keypads, large displays with large icons, and only enough features to make and receive calls, set alarms and reminders, and check time and date. Explore the phone above to see the best for seniors that suit your needs.
RELATED ARTICLES:
- Home Safety for Elderly: 5 Common Hazards Explained
- How Can I Ensure Kitchen Safety for Elderly? Proven Tips
- Fall Protection for the Elderly: Ensuring Senior Safety with the Right Measures
- Essential 6 Elderly Safety Products: Ensuring Senior Safety [Expert Reviews & Buyer’s Guide]
- How to Ensure Stair Safety for Seniors
- Precautions for Making Bathrooms Safe for the Elderly