For help, advice and discussion about stuff not related to aviation. Play nice: no religion, no politics and no axe grinding please.
#1536178
I'm looking to get my very elderly relative a very, very basic mobile phone for her to use while she is in a rehabilitation hospital for a few months following a fall. Ideally, all it will have are the number buttons to dial a number (from a sadly ever decreasing list of phone numbers) and a button to answer/make a phone call, and one to end the call. No texting, no need for a menu of stored numbers (in case someone gets a random call by mistake!) and no additional buttons which could cause confusion.

I have looked on line, and there are some phones for the more senior citizen, but they still seem to have extra functions and buttons which are fine the user is not in a mildly confused/forgetful state of mind. Her current mobile phone is just causing her anxiety as she keeps forgetting how to use it - too many buttons, menus etc.

Does anyone know if such a very basic phone either does exist, or if one was made in the past that I could source on eBay etc. I will just put in a simple pay as you go sim card.

Many thanks!
#1536183
Anything on GSM (2G) will at least be able to send/receive text messages. And I haven't come across a mobile phone yet which doesn't have the ability to store numbers...at least not since the early days of transportable 1G phones (and no, the network doesn't exist for that any more) and some experimental early 3G things we had.
#1536188
This looks like a brilliant solution, but not sure if it would be compatible with UK networks or even if it is available as a sim-free purchase.

http://www.kisaphone.com.au/

Rob P
#1536193
ArthurG wrote:Google 'Doro' phones, there might be something to suit. I've seen one with simple functions and big buttons


Even this has contacts and texts!

http://www.argos.co.uk/product/5759734

There's this, but it doesn't have a keypad for calling numbers, only four contacts.

http://www.amanoconnect.com/shop/doro-secure-580-mobile-phone/

Even this has a "50 memory phone book"...but it should be easy to use.

http://easytousephones.com/epages/1cadcc3d-b6be-4c07-96d8-68cc993f2021.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/1cadcc3d-b6be-4c07-96d8-68cc993f2021/Products/167

There's a choice on that website though:

http://easytousephones.com/
#1536200
Mr Bags wrote:I'm looking to get my very elderly relative a very, very basic mobile phone for her to use while she is in a rehabilitation hospital for a few months following a fall. Ideally, all it will have are the number buttons to dial a number (from a sadly ever decreasing list of phone numbers) and a button to answer/make a phone call, and one to end the call. No texting, no need for a menu of stored numbers (in case someone gets a random call by mistake!) and no additional buttons which could cause confusion.

I have looked on line, and there are some phones for the more senior citizen, but they still seem to have extra functions and buttons which are fine the user is not in a mildly confused/forgetful state of mind. Her current mobile phone is just causing her anxiety as she keeps forgetting how to use it - too many buttons, menus etc.

Does anyone know if such a very basic phone either does exist, or if one was made in the past that I could source on eBay etc. I will just put in a simple pay as you go sim card.

Many thanks!

I may have Nokia 1661 in the shed with charger. It doesn't have a camera or any other new fangled things.
#1536242
I have a Doro on Tesco mobile top up. As advised, they have big letters and there is an emergency call button on the back in order to contact a doc or whatever number is installed. £10 quid lasts me a year as I only make and receive calls - no fancy smart phone for me, and I won't acquire a neck bent at right angles which seems to inflict people I meet in the street when down south.
#1536340
Round up here: http://www.which.co.uk/reviews/simple-mobile-phones
My Grandpa used a simple phone (BW screen, big buttons, SOS button on the back, 8 days battery life, built in torch) for his last few years.
I've since been using it within a charity for team leaders to carry, so they can be contacted using a standard number. However our "young" team leaders (most in their 50s) can't work out how to use it as everyone now expects touch screens...

So work out what you want it used for and think about what they will be used to before purchasing.