This is not an advertisement and we have not been compensated in any way for providing this cell phone for seniors information. We chose to highlight the Doro PhoneEasy senior cell phones and Consumer Cellular because we liked the phone features and how Consumer Cellular has positioned themselves as an elderly friendly company.
Today’s boomers and seniors are active and are accustomed to being connected to friends and family regardless of where they are. One of the ways they stay connected is through cell phones. The only problem with that is that finding a cell phone that is easy to read and easy to use for older folks is sometimes difficult.
We’ve published several articles that highlight senior cell phones and even upcoming senior cell phones designs; they were met with a good reception. In that vein, here are two more fairly recent contenders in elderly friendly cell phones.
Introducing Doro PhoneEasy – Cell Phone for Seniors
Doro PhoneEasy offers two phones specifically designed for seniors, those who have difficulty using their hands or who have problems with their sight or hearing.
These new phones offer several features you would expect to find in senior-friendly phones such as:
- Color displays that are easy-to-read
- Large text
- Speakerphone
- Bluetooth wireless technology
- Hearing aid compatibility (T3/M3 and T3/M4)
These Doro products were developed in collaboration with Ergonomidesign, who specialize in designs for everyone, including for people with special needs. Doro product designs have won several awards, including the French Janus Award, a BIO 21 Honorable Mention and, most notably, the IDEA® Bronze Award. Doro also has won the Stevie Wonder and Friends Vision Free Product Award at the 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.
This phone is built for simplicity. It sports a large and bright color display for easy reading. It also has larger buttons and numbers that are back-lit for easy dialing, a vibrating ringer and Bluetooth for hands-free use.
Besides being easy to read, there are two features that stand out to us. First, the phone is easy to hold on to due to a soft, rubber finish. Second, it has an emergency button to call for help. Here is a breakdown of the phone features.
Features
- Easy to see and dial buttons
- Large and bright display
- FM Radio
- Vibrating ringer
- Flashlight
- Emergency SOS button
- Speakerphone
- Light and easy to hold
Senior Cell Phone Dimensions and Details
- W: 2.0″ D: 0.59″ H: 4.9″
- Weight: 3.5 oz
- Battery life: up to 3 hours talk time / 4.6 days standby
- Hearing aid compatibility: M3 T3
Like the PhoneEasy 345, this phone has large buttons, a bright display and is easy to use. Text shows up clearly on the large display. It has a large back-lit keypad with raised buttons and is Bluetooth compatible. This phone also has a built-in emergency button. All in a convenient, flip-style device.
One thing to note is the battery time on this phone is longer on this model. (4 hours, compared to the 3 on the PhoneEasy 345.)
Features
- Easy to see and dial buttons
- Large and bright display
- Emergency SOS button
- Speakerphone
- Vibrating ringer
- Flip design
- Light and easy to hold
Dimensions and Details
- W: 2.0″ D: 0.75″ H: 3.8″
- Weight: 3.9 oz
- Battery life: up to 4 hours talk time / 4.6 days standby
- Hearing aid compatibility: M3 T4
About Consumer Cellular
These two senior friendly phones are offered in the United States by exclusive arrangement through Consumer Cellular. Consumer Cellular also is the exclusive cellular service provider for the AARP. AARP discounts are available to members.
Consumer Cellular, headquartered in Portland, Oregon, is a nationwide provider of cellular phones and services. Its goal is to provide simple, high-quality phones, plans and services for affordability, ease of use and guaranteed satisfaction.
[youtube dJKqYKOyRaY]You can see more of Consumer Cellular’s videos about their company, instructional videos about the Doro PhoneEasy models and consumer testimonies on their YouTube channel.
Another great option I haven't seen here is Tracfone's Senior Value Cellphone. My parents got one about 6 months ago, and it's made quite a difference in simplifying their lives-most times, being used to remind each other of some item not on the shopping list, but was a great help when my mom's vehicle broke down! The phone also boasts the usual senior friendly features, like large text, lit up buttons, yes/no navigation, hearing aid compatible, etc, but they found it to be a fraction of the price of the alternatives, costing them $15. The plans start from as little as $7, and international calls to a number of countries, are charged at the same rate as local calls. Best of all, it's a prepaid option, so no bills or contracts! Worth taking a look at.
I am a mother and grandmother and my advice to all you younger folks out there is to make sure that your parents and grandparents have the safety and security of the Tracfone SVC (senior value cellphone). I have one and it costs me $20 for three months which is really reasonable considering what it offers. I was driving home, alone one night and my tyre burst, shooting me across the street. Thank goodness I wasn't hurt but within a few seconds I had dialled emergency and before I had time to panic help was on its way. All that for less than $7 a month!