The Best Mobile Phones for Elderly Loved Ones
In an age where we keep getting busier and have less time to spend with our loved ones, it’s not uncommon for older family members to feel left out and isolated. Technology is progressing at a rapid rate, and it’s not always easy for older adults to keep up – especially when phones are getting smaller, loaded with fancy apps and free of buttons altogether.
Phones are incredibly important for keeping in touch with your elderly loved one, helping them check in with family and friends and calling for help if they need it. Getting them an accessible phone that they can actually use is a fantastic way to foster independence and boost their mental well-being.
Today, we’ll explore the best mobile phones for your elderly loved one, which features to look out for and how to make it easier for your relative to use.
Key features to consider when choosing a phone for an elderly loved one
When choosing a mobile phone for your loved one, you first should decide what they need it to do. Is it just for making calls and sending texts, or would they prefer something with app functionality and internet connectivity? Do they need any special aids to help them use it?
Here are some of the most important features to look for:
Long-lasting functionality
Mobile phones work by connecting to a network service, like 2G, 3G, 4G or 5G. 5G is the newest generation and therefore amazing for fast functionality and running apps like a pro. But does your loved one really need that if they’ll only be using their phone for calls and texts? Mobiles running on older generations are often cheaper and operate just fine with limited functionality.
The problem with older phones is that their connectivity is slowly becoming less and less relevant. Ofgem reports that mobile network providers have agreed with the government to switch off 2G and 3G networks by 2033. This means that if your loved one’s phone only works on one of these networks by the time this happens, they’ll need an upgrade.
Buttons vs. Touchscreen
Buttons are hard to come by on phones these days, with the top brands seemingly wanting to get rid of them altogether! However, some handsets designed for people with dexterity issues still include large, easy-to-press buttons.
There are pros and cons to button mobiles, and new technology might even mean that your loved one gets on better with a touchscreen. This is because touchscreens can be made more or less sensitive and easier to read by increasing text size, which can’t be done with buttons.
Phone size
Phone sizes go in and out of fashion. The introduction of the smartphone saw every brand trying to make the smallest possible design during the 2000s, but in recent years, having a bigger phone is all the rage. Some things to consider when choosing the size of your loved one’s phone are how easily they’ll be able to read the screen, whether they’ll find it easier to hold a small and lightweight phone or a larger model and the price difference between sizes.
Clear audio quality
Whether your elderly loved one has hearing difficulties or is always on the phone to a friend or family member, it’s incredibly important to test audio quality before buying them a phone. If they can’t hear properly when calling people, they might feel isolated, lonely and stuck. Most phones with the best audio quality are the most expensive market leaders, like iPhones and Samsung, but you can often find a decent, cheaper option with good enough quality to help your loved one stay in the loop and social.
Durable design
Everyone drops their phone now and then, but people with mobility and dexterity difficulties may find it harder to keep their phones in their hands. Look for one that’s lightweight, shockproof and water-resistant for your loved one, so even if an accident happens, they’re not left without a way to contact someone. A long battery life is also important to avoid them from constantly having to search for a charger.
If you’re still concerned about your relative damaging their phone and being left without a way to call for help, consider a lanyard to keep it close by.
Emergency features
One of the main reasons we have phones is to keep us safe and have a way of reaching out when we need help. This is the same for your loved one, and even more paramount if they’re at higher risk of falling, forgetting things or endangering themselves in any way. Emergency features like one-touch calling and speed dial are great for connecting them with a loved one, carer or emergency service without wasting time.
Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC)
Some phones designed for elderly adults come with a feature called HAC, which automatically connects to hearing aids when making or receiving calls. Some people find that they get loud feedback through their hearing aids when using the normal call function, so being able to connect these devices can make it much more comfortable to talk to their friends and family.
Best big button phones for older adults
Mobile phone companies are moving away from buttons completely, but your elderly loved one might find them easier to use than touchscreens. Small buttons can be fiddly and more frustrating than they’re worth, so big buttons are often the way to go.
Here are some of the best phones with big buttons for elderly adults:
Doro 1370
Doro is one of the best phone brands for older adults, and its big buttons are just one reason why. The 1370 also has a range of great features, including direct keys for specific uses, a torch and a camera. The assistance button should hopefully give you peace of mind that your loved one can reach someone they trust if they’re in trouble.
TTfone TT880
A small handset with big buttons gives your family member the easiest setup possible, and the TTfone TT880 doesn’t stop there. Its extra-long battery life of up to five days is a huge relief for adults who might find charging their phones difficult. This phone also comes with a loudspeaker and enhanced call clarity, an SOS alarm and a large display.
Nokia 130
With a strong battery and big speaker, the Nokia 130 is perfect for elderly loved ones who love to chat from morning to night. It’s small but mighty, with large buttons spaced apart to make using them even easier. If your loved one enjoys listening to music, the built-in MP3 player and FM radio are perfect for keeping them company.
Best big screen phones for older adults
Bigger screens are ideal for older adults as they’re easier to read and navigate, reducing the strain on their eyes. If your loved one has trouble reading off a small screen, choosing one with a bigger display is the way to go.
Here are some of the best phones with big screens for elderly loved ones:
Doro 7010
The Doro 7010 has a respectably large screen and buttons for your loved one to use instead of a touchscreen. It also has WhatsApp functionality, which is great for keeping up with friends and family for free! With clear sounds from the HD voice feature and an emergency button, this phone is the ideal simplistic choice for loved ones with vision difficulties.
Samsung S23 Ultra
The best phones for large screens have to include smartphones from the big brands like Samsung, especially with its 6.8-inch display! The touchscreen might not be for everybody, which is why we like that the S23 Ultra comes with a stylus for easy tapping. The Dynamic AMOLED 2X makes the screen clearer and easier to read, and the long battery life is a plus for older people. Your loved one can get all the functionality of a smartphone while still being able to use it, thanks to the big screen.
iPhone 15
One of the best things about iPhones is that you can choose between the largest screen size (6.7-inch) or a slightly smaller alternative (6.1-inch). If you’re looking for safety features, the iPhone 15 is the way to go: emergency SOS, emergency SOS via satellite, crash detection and roadside assistance via satellite all keep your loved one safe when they need it most.
Best flip phones for older adults
Flip phones deliver the best of both worlds for older users. Not only do they have a bigger screen, but there’s also extra space for bigger buttons! The screen snaps shut when not in use, safeguarding your loved ones’ information and preventing accidental touches or damage.
Here are some of the best flip phones for older adults:
Doro 6820
Doro offers several flip phones to maximise space without bulking the phone up too much. This phone does it all with widely separated, high contrast keys and a clear display. HD voice makes conversations clearer, and the assistance button alerts trusted contacts should your loved one need help.
Nokia 2720 Flip
If your loved one enjoys using 4G apps like Facebook and WhatsApp, the Nokia 2720 Flip is perfect. As well as the internal screen, there’s an external screen that shows who’s calling. The big buttons are ideal for easy messaging and dialling, and the battery can last up to 28 days of standby time on a single charge!
TTfone TT970
TTfone TT970 runs a simplified version of Android’s operating system with limited apps, giving your loved one extra freedom to enjoy their smartphone. The dual displays allow them to screen calls, especially with the handy dock charger! This stands the phone up while it’s on charge, so your relative can see who’s calling without taking it off the power source. The TT970 also comes with HAC.
Best lightweight phones for older adults
While having a big screen or wide buttons is amazing for some people, others might find it easier to hold something small and light. If a phone is too big, it might end up getting left at home, defeating the object altogether.
Here are some of the best lightweight phones for elderly loved ones:
Nokia 105
The 105 weighs just 70 grams, making it small but more than capable of anything your loved one needs a phone for! The battery is 25% bigger than its predecessor, meaning it can stay in standby mode for 15 days without a charge. The intuitive large display and tactile keyboard are perfect for elderly adults.
Alcatel 1
There’s no need to overcomplicate things, and the Alcatel is a great simple smartphone to keep your loved one up to date. Its 5-inch display doesn’t weigh it down – it’s only 134 grams! The touchscreen lets them watch videos in comfort while still being lighter than many other smartphones on the market.
iPhone SE
Are you looking for a small and lightweight phone that still does it all? Then the iPhone SE is an excellent choice. It weighs 113 grams with a 4.7-inch screen, and the full connectivity means they can access the app store, internet and more. If your loved one doesn’t want a simplified phone, the SE could be perfect.
Making a mobile phone easier to use for your loved one
There are several adjustments you should be able to make on the majority of modern phones, including:
- Increasing the font size
- Activating a voice assistant for web and app searches
- Using voice-to-text features for sending and receiving messages
- Organising apps so the most used ones are easily found
Consider what your loved one will find easiest to use. Some elderly adults enjoy simplistic phones with limited functionality, no internet access and clearly labelled buttons. Others enjoy the freedom of smartphones with internet access and large, zoomed-in screens. Why don’t you head down to your local electronics store with your loved one and see what feels most comfortable for them?
How Country Cousins can help
At Country Cousins, our carers understand the importance and challenges of providing personalised care for older adults. Our live-in carers offer professional companionship from the comfort of your loved one’s own home, assisting with daily routines, monitoring changes in health and creating a comfortable environment to protect and nurture their independence.
Getting older can be an isolating experience, and our carers will help your loved one get used to their new phone and use it, whether that be to make calls, send messages or search the web. We’re here to support them in any way we can without judgment.
Talk to our team today
As the UK’s longest-serving introductory live-in care agency, we have been providing compassionate live-in care to those who need it since 1959 – all from the comfort of their own homes.
Give us a call today on 01293 224 706. Our experienced team is on hand to help from Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm. Alternatively, contact us through our online enquiry form.
