Wired in the Golden Years: Cell phones for Seniors

Though more than 65 percent of cell phone users are from 18 to 29 years old, there are over 30 percent of users between 50 and 64, while 11 percent are over 65 years old. This only means one thing: there are plenty of seniors who also rely on these handy gadgets for their communication needs. As the holidays approach, this may just be the RIGHT gift to give to the seniors you love!

In fact, mobile phone manufacturers have recognized the market and have thus come up with models that are truly fitting for them:

Jitterbug

Jitterbug is perhaps one of the most popular cell phones for seniors in the market. From Samsung, it has larger and easier-to-press keypads as well as bigger screens. The options are very basic as well. It comes with an enabled Bluetooth for a more convenient hands-free dialing and talking, while 0 has been designated as its official number should the user wants to call the operator.

It has so pretty cool add-ons too. For $10, the user can access the medication reminders. It schedules and provides medicine intake notifications. Moreover, for a rate of $4 a month, you can install LiveNurse with 24-hour real-time access to a human nurse.

Snapfon Ez

This is another well-designed mobile phone that’s highly suitable for the seniors. It sports a very clear and crisp LCD screen with easy-to-press keypads. The texts can be adjusted up to 20 point font size for easier reading, while the volume rocker is quick to spot. The quality of the sound is impeccable.

The phone includes an SOS button, which means a mere press immediately connects the user to an emergency hotline. Physical-wise, the phone is incredibly light at 8 ounces and measures only 4 inches in length, 2 inches in width, and 0.6 inches in height. It has a very long standby time of 90.12 hours and a talk time of 3.5 hours.

Samsung Galaxy Note N7000

Some seniors are tech savvy, and the simplicity of the first two mobile phones may only bore them! If you’re looking for a bit of sophistication and technology, you can get your hands on Samsung’s Galaxy Note N7000. It’s sleek, it’s stylish, and functions like a mobile phone, PDA, and table all rolled into one. It has its own smart pen, which provides for more accurate touching and runs on Android Gingerbread. It connects via 3G, EDGE, and even 4G—perhaps the right kind of phone busy entrepreneurial seniors are looking for. As a bonus, it possesses an incredible 8MP camera.

Samsung Haven

If you’re currently on a tight budget or are looking for a no-frills phone that gives in to some of your needs, there’s Samsung Haven, which is a flip phone offered by Verizon. For only $39.99, you can lock the phone in a two-year contract.

The display and the keypad are large, while the text messaging system is simple. It cannot send photos since it doesn’t have a built-in camera, but it’s able to receive pictures. It’s comes with a pill reminder app, as well as a 911 button for safety and emergencies.

So for seniors, who may already have enough sweaters, gloves, and fragrances, accumulated from holidays past, to last them the rest of their lives, why not opt to give them a holiday gift that is more “modern”. Give a gift that can provide them added safety and security as well.