Cell Phones for an Aging Population: Current Contenders to Consider
Website design By BotEap.comThe usefulness of cell phones has made them extremely popular devices. However, as cell phones have advanced in recent years with ever-increasing functions and features, their increasing complexity and decreasing size have made them difficult to access for people with impaired motor, hearing, and visual abilities. Those with access difficulties include a significant number of people over 65 years of age.
Website design By BotEap.comThe most recent developments with mobile phones have clearly focused on a younger population. Tiny multitasking devices that allow you to take photos, download and listen to music, watch videos, etc., tend to be more valued by a younger audience. Modern mobile phones also require excellent eyesight and fine motor skills to be able to use them reliably. Although there are certainly many exceptions, a large number of seniors do not possess the visual and motor skills to operate such devices, are overwhelmed by the complexity, or simply do not want the many features offered by today’s cell phones.
Website design By BotEap.comClearly, cell phone designs that are “friendly” to a broader audience must be offered to the public. The critical functions of a cell phone are important to more than a particular segment of the population. In this area, the cell phone industry still has a lot of work to do, however, there are currently some models available that offer at least some of the features that could be useful for the elderly.
Website design By BotEap.comThere are a number of products on the market to increase/amplify volume. All major cell phone providers offer individual cell phone models that are compatible with hearing aids and have speakerphone capabilities, while others offer one-button dialing for a handful of preprogrammed numbers. However, if the user wants more features, the size of the screen and buttons on these phones would be problematic and the phones still tend to be somewhat complex. Other models, like the Samsung t719, offer voice-activated dialing, but the screen and keyboard are still quite small. Some retailers recommend the Firefly, which is simpler and allows one-button dialing of preprogrammed and emergency numbers. However, older adults should overlook the bright colors, flashing lights, and glare, as this cell phone is designed for young children.
Website design By BotEap.comJitterbug is currently the phone that seems to offer many of the necessary features. These phones offer large buttons, easy-to-read text with a backlit display, louder volume, and speakerphone capabilities. Models with either a regular keypad or simplified one-button dialing with direct access to 911 are available.
Website design By BotEap.comThese phones have a padded earpiece to reduce outside noise and are hearing aid compatible. Voice dialing is possible for any number in the user’s phone list. Helpdesk services allow users to dial directly or use operators to make calls. The phone arrives with frequently called numbers pre-programmed and updates to the phone list can be done on an assisted or stand-alone basis. The phone allows users to pre-program up to 50 phone numbers.
Website design By BotEap.comJitterbug’s service plans are affordable and streamlined, yet offer nationwide coverage. These phones are probably the strongest contender on the market today for a simplified but adult-friendly cell phone. These phones are currently only available online (jitterbug.com), but they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Website design By BotEap.comThere is some hope that other mobile phones will enter the market and prove useful. The Austrian manufacturer Emporia, for example, would have developed a cell phone that was also specifically designed for this population. In addition, Motorola is reported to have patented technology that will allow an individual cell phone to detect the speech pattern of an older speaker and automatically increase incoming and outgoing audio, increase font size, and simplify the menu without prompting the user. perform no function. . Although none of these offerings are available at this time, it seems that with their development and the rapid growth of the population over 65, it is inevitable that the limited options that currently exist will expand.