For aging retirees who live independently, a mobile phone can be a great way to keep in touch with friends and loved ones. A quality phone is one that is simple to use, with large buttons, a bright display, strong speakers, and the ability to contact emergency assistance. Below is a list of the best phone for elders with dementia.
Raz Memory Cell Phone
This outstanding phone has a 911 button that is dedicated that allows users to reach an emergency response team with a single touch. It is extremely simple to use, with a single screen and no additional apps or menus, making it the device of choice for older individuals who have little interest in overly complex gadgets.
Advantages
• Intuitive Menu
• Caregiver Portal
• GPS Enabled
• Single Touch Dialing
• Photo Contact List
Disadvantages
• Expensive
• Non-professional monitoring
• Limited features
Jitterbug Smart3
This smartphone is prized for its video calling capabilities. It has a number of features that users will enjoy, including no yearly contracts, no cancellation charges, customer service representatives are based in the U.S. and speak good English, and users get to keep their old phone numbers. The menu is simple to learn and use while its 5.5-inch display is easy to see. It has a 13Mp camera that is front-facing and designed to perform video calls with family and friends. It can also double as a medical alert tool, which makes it popular among doctors and nurses.
Advantages
• Simple screen and menu
• No extended contract
• Medical alert comes with every plan
• Built-in Camera
Disadvantages
• Requires nightly charging
• Some find the initial setup tedious
• Have to use Lively data, text and phone plans
Consumer Cellular GrandPad
While some consider this device more of a tablet than a mobile phone, it has all same features, except the ability to fit into your pocket. The main menu features email, photos, a camera, weather, encyclopedia, music, flashlight, and games. The one feature it lacks is medical alerts but it is easy for users to keep in touch with loved ones. It also has a camera that is front-facing and allows for video calling, and users can upload mp3s or photos.
Advantages
• Powerful Speaker
• Big bright screen
• Easy to use design
• Video calls
Disadvantages
• No medical alerts
• Not convenient to carry
Snapfon ezTWO3G
While this device has a long name that some aging retirees might find difficult to remember, the Snapfon has the best safety functions of any device on this list. The buttons are large and tactile, with a loudspeaker that will help those who are hard of hearing. It is very affordable and comes with an SOS button that can send out an alarm in the event of an emergency. When set up correctly, it can continually monitor and track the user and issue alerts if they become non-responsive.
Advantages
• Simple to use
• SOS function
• Quality speaker
• Mobile monitoring
Disadvantages
• Low-end camera
