Must Have Phone Features for Seniors

Mobile phones become more puzzling every day, making teenagers go crazy in pursuit of the latest Apple product. At the same time, their grandparents (our parents) remain indifferent to this fast-paced world. For most of them, the new devices look like space technology. Our mission is to help them switch over to the new reality of mobile phones or even just get them to use the Internet and web applications. Let’s work together with the AllsWell team to identify the features the best cell phone for seniors must possess!

1) A senior-friendly keyboard

The key to success is ginormous, easy to press buttons on the keyboard. Senior people may have diminished mental or physical capabilities. That is why it’s so important to preset all the conditions that will make using the phone comfortable and convenient.

2) Easy-to-read font

The font of every character must be large and easy to read. In this regard, smartphones win – they have a zoom feature to adjust the size of text on the screen.

3) Built-in voice command

This feature is designed for those seniors who are not able to dial a phone number, or for those who have a real challenge in navigating through menus.

4) A bright, clear display

The phone has to have a large display that shows everything on screen clearly. What’s more, the structure of icons on the screen should make sense. Remember that everything has to be made simple in cell phones for seniors. Elderly people usually need to perform just two or three actions daily with their phone: calling, receiving calls, and setting the alarm clock.

5) Speakerphone

Smartphones for seniors that are hard of hearing must include speakerphone capabilities. This feature has to be easy to find, activate, and control.

6) SOS-button

There are different situations in life. And sometimes the elderly just don’t have the seconds to call 911. In these cases, a SOS-button can help. However, if your older parent falls unconscious, the best decision is to download special personal safety and emergency alertmobile apps, like AllsWell Alert. This app will send you a message in case your parent or relative has not been using the phone longer than usual.

7) Inactivity monitoring 

There is a sensitive movement detector embedded in each smartphone. Once downloaded, AllsWell Alert application can use it to determine whether the phone has been handled or moved without being obtrusive or monitoring what the person is using their smartphone for. It’s very important for emergency contacts to be notified if an elderly person has an unusually prolonged inactivity period.  

8) Location identifier

This feature will work only if you grant certain apps permission to monitor the phone’s location. While some people prefer to keep their location hidden from the apps that they use, personal safety and emergency alert apps like AllsWell use the location data to literally save lives. The location data is kept by AllsWell for the last 2 hours only and is immediately erased thereafter. But in case an alert is sent, having the smartphone’s whereabouts for the last two hours is very important for providing timely help.

So many useful features and possibilities! The only condition is having a smartphone. Check out the eSTAR range of Mobile Phones here and get your loved one a phone that fits theirs needs.