Mobile phone for an 82 year old

PHK

here is an example of assisted mode on iPhone

madlyn

Grumpy_chap said:

The OP doesn't seem to have mentioned how old / competent their Dad is.

My Dad had a Doro and it was great for him.

Mum, on the other hand, is now 87 and has the latest iPhone.  Dad could never have coped with an iPhone because of poor eyesight and poor dexterity coupled with declining cognitive function.

If the OP's Dad is nearer the Doro end of the scale, then go with the Doro, or consider a Nokia dumb phone.  The Nokia dumb phone will have smaller screen and buttons than the Doro.

My Dad is 82 (says so in the title of the thread) and while still very much on the ball, his understanding of technology is very limited.
I gave him my samsung smartphone last week and tried to talk him through making a call, it didn't go well...
I'm taking him to Tesco next week as they have a Doro and some other basic phones, that way he can see them and handle them before he makes a decision.

Vitor

Samsung phones can be set to provide an 'assisted mode' similar to the iPhone in PHK's post. 'Easy Mode' enlarges text and icons, simplifies the Home screen, and limits gestures.

Replacement Launchers like Simple Launcher, BIG Launcher, or Modo Easy UI on the Play Store reproduce that “big button” grid for calls, messages, camera, etc. They’re often marketed for seniors or those needing cognitive accessibility support.

madlyn

Vitor said:

Samsung phones can be set to provide an 'assisted mode' similar to the iPhone in PHK's post. 'Easy Mode' enlarges text and icons, simplifies the Home screen, and limits gestures.

Replacement Launchers like Simple Launcher, BIG Launcher, or Modo Easy UI on the Play Store reproduce that “big button” grid for calls, messages, camera, etc. They’re often marketed for seniors or those needing cognitive accessibility support.

The size of the icons he was fine with, he just couldn't get to grips with the touch screen and I don't want to force him to use something he isn't comfortable with.

Vitor

- he just couldn't get to grips with the touch screen - 

Conceptually or physically? In the accessibility options of mobiles are settings to reject double presses, set the length of single presses required to register etc. to help people with dexterity challenges. It's unfortunate more people don't know about these options.

madlyn

Conceptually or physically?

Both.

Vitor

Fair enough!

ivinsp

flaneurs_lobster said:

ivinsp said:

One thought, kinda side note, my Mum who is 80 has very bad memory issues and doesn't always charge her phone so I have an app, not sure if I can mention it, to monitor any incoming texts, her location, I can access her camera and audio if needed in an emergency but it also shows her battery level which is handy 

Sounds on the borderline of legality, unless your Mother's phone has some kind of permanent banner or alert saying "this phone is being monitored by x" or somesuch. 

What's the app called? How is it marketed - Nannyware? Intercom mode?

My mum is 81 and has early stage dementia, repeats herself often but often forgets, yes of course consent was given by her, she is aware that it's for her safety, making sure she is ok and also helping with her tech issues on her phone.

The app is marketed as an app for parents to put on their kids phone.

It has a permanent banner in the notification pull down but she doesn't understand what it is if she saw it, the same as she doesn't know how the delete button works or to always charge her phone so the app is handy as well. 

GDB2222

ivinsp said:

flaneurs_lobster said:

ivinsp said:

One thought, kinda side note, my Mum who is 80 has very bad memory issues and doesn't always charge her phone so I have an app, not sure if I can mention it, to monitor any incoming texts, her location, I can access her camera and audio if needed in an emergency but it also shows her battery level which is handy 

Sounds on the borderline of legality, unless your Mother's phone has some kind of permanent banner or alert saying "this phone is being monitored by x" or somesuch. 

What's the app called? How is it marketed - Nannyware? Intercom mode?

My mum is 81 and has early stage dementia, repeats herself often but often forgets, yes of course consent was given by her, she is aware that it's for her safety, making sure she is ok and also helping with her tech issues on her phone.

The app is marketed as an app for parents to put on their kids phone.

It has a permanent banner in the notification pull down but she doesn't understand what it is if she saw it, the same as she doesn't know how the delete button works or to always charge her phone so the app is handy as well. 

That all sounds great to me, and it’s positive that you are able to look after her this way, and she cooperates. 

Can I ask which app you use? 

ivinsp

GDB2222 said:

ivinsp said:

flaneurs_lobster said:

ivinsp said:

One thought, kinda side note, my Mum who is 80 has very bad memory issues and doesn't always charge her phone so I have an app, not sure if I can mention it, to monitor any incoming texts, her location, I can access her camera and audio if needed in an emergency but it also shows her battery level which is handy 

Sounds on the borderline of legality, unless your Mother's phone has some kind of permanent banner or alert saying "this phone is being monitored by x" or somesuch. 

What's the app called? How is it marketed - Nannyware? Intercom mode?

My mum is 81 and has early stage dementia, repeats herself often but often forgets, yes of course consent was given by her, she is aware that it's for her safety, making sure she is ok and also helping with her tech issues on her phone.

The app is marketed as an app for parents to put on their kids phone.

It has a permanent banner in the notification pull down but she doesn't understand what it is if she saw it, the same as she doesn't know how the delete button works or to always charge her phone so the app is handy as well. 

That all sounds great to me, and it’s positive that you are able to look after her this way, and she cooperates. 

Can I ask which app you use? 

Of couse and thank you, it's airdroid parental control (I've not added the link just in case) 

You can get a free trial then it's a few pound a month but when I selected to pay for a year it offered me a half price pop up