Mobile Phones For Senior Citizens

Many of the old people I know are fixed in their ways and they have the idea that they're not up to using new technology. However, a cell phone in the hands of a senior citizen can be a life-saver. It's pretty useless having a land line if you're face down in the back yard after falling down.

They have these little devices that senior citizens can wear around their necks, but all they do is summon emergency services and the monthly cost is way higher than the cost of a cell phone. It's mostly the older generation that keep their land lines anyway, so if you know a senior citizen that may be at risk, try to persuade them to get a cell phone instead, the cost may even be less.

Most senior citizens won't want to text their BFFs in the assisted living facility so a simple cell phone will be the answer. Most of us have old cell phones somewhere in the house and giving an old cell phone to an old person is a thoughtful way to recycle them. In some areas there are charities where you can drop off your unwanted phone and they are distributed to older folks who may be in poor health or live alone. It's even a good way to get rid of the charger too, because many cell phone recycling places don't want the old cases, car or wall chargers.

If the old person can get into the habit of carrying a cell phone in their pocket all the time then help will always be at hand for them. You may have to sit down and show them how to use it including how to plug it up and recharge it, but if you can impress on them how helpful it will be in case they have a problem, then they might listen. Call every day to make sure they're carrying it.

Many seniors unfortunately suffer from Alzheimer's or senile dementia and hundreds of them wander off and get lost every year. If you have an elderly friend or relative, you could add a GPS tracking system to their phone, hopefully they will remember to take the phone with them before they go wandering off.

Even if it saves just a few from getting into serious problems it's a good idea. Chances are they won't use it much anyway, so a pay-as-you-go plan that costs only $10 a month may be sufficient to keep them safe and give you peace of mind if you can't visit as often as you like.