A Guide to Consumer Cellular Cell Phones for Seniors

When it comes to cell phones, seniors often have unique needs. They most likely want to stay in touch with friends and family but don’t need or care for the power-user, gaming and productivity features office workers or students crave. There are several companies offering cell phones specifically designed with seniors in mind. The best cell phones for seniors will depend on whether they’re looking to use the internet and popular apps or just want to call and text those closest to them.

Modern cell phones are incredibly powerful, and most carriers offer affordable deals. However, two service providers cater specifically to seniors: Lively and Consumer Cellular. These companies produce economical phones that are easy to use and have clear displays as well as senior-friendly features such as medical alert devices. Their pricing and call allowances are designed around senior needs, too.

Some of the most popular cell phones for seniors include the Jitterbug Flip2 and Smart3, which are streamlined senior-focused phones with medical alert features. Consumer Cellular offers a selection of affordable phones for seniors. Many older adults are opting for basic smartphones, such as the iPhone SE or Blackberry Key2 LE, to get the combined benefits of low prices and ease of use.

While some seniors may feel happy with a standard phone and a mainstream carrier, senior-friendly carriers offer extra features that may be useful for some older adults, including medical alert systems, access to an emergency (and, in some cases, non-emergency) help line, and one-call buttons to reach important contacts.

Lively’s senior-friendly phones come with built-in medical alert systems. This means if a senior slips and falls or has some other emergency, they can call for aid at a push of a button or by using the built-in voice control to reach an emergency contact.

Another useful feature of some senior-friendly cellular carriers is access to a personal operator for non-emergency use. Seniors can call this operator for support with basic day-to-day issues, such as finding the correct contact details for a relative or their doctor or even checking bus timetables. This feature is particularly useful for seniors who have a cell phone plan that does not include internet access and those who have limited eyesight or aren’t tech-savvy and struggle to use a web browser.

Senior-focused phones such as those supplied by Jitterbug have a dedicated button built-in that calls an emergency number. That number could be the hotline for the medical alert system or a number for a trusted relative. If the senior becomes distressed or confused, all they need to do is push that one button to call for aid.

Senior-friendly smartphones such as the Link II, Flip2 and Smart3 have longer standby times than their more mainstream “smart” counterparts. This is because they typically have fewer battery-draining features. This extra standby time can be useful for seniors who frequently forget to charge their devices. If a senior fails to put their phone on charge for a few days, a visiting carer or loved one can do it for them without worrying that the device will run out of power between visits.

The average cost of a senior-friendly cell phone is between $49.99 and $149.99 for the simpler phones that primarily support calls and texts. Seniors who prefer a more sophisticated Android or iOS device can expect to pay more for that. Mid-range smartphones are available for around $400, and those phones are more than up to the job of making calls, sending texts and using instant messaging apps.

Tech-savvy seniors who want to play games or consume high-definition streaming media on a 5G-enabled phone can expect to pay a lot more for a device capable of those things. However, a good smartphone can last for several years and is an investment for the senior. Many mainstream smartphone carriers offer contracts, so the user can purchase the phone and pay in installments with no upfront fee or a very small one. The phone cost is then bundled in with the data/calling package.

Seniors have several options when buying a new cell phone. Large retailers such as Walmart and Best Buy sell a range of smartphones, although not all of their phones are designed with seniors in mind. Senior-focused phones, such as the Jitterbug, can be found in some branches of Best Buy and Walgreens.

Those happy to purchase a phone without testing it first can find good deals online through a mainstream retailer, such as Amazon, or through Lively or Consumer Cellular directly. Buying directly from the manufacturer/carrier provides an advantage as everything comes in one handy package with one bill. Seniors can access medical alert systems, a calling and/or data plan, and device support with only one point of contact and one monthly bill.

Each manufacturer has different warranty policies. The warranties on senior-friendly devices are typically more generous regarding accidental loss or damage, especially if the device doubles as a medical alert system. Seniors buying an iPhone or an Android/Blackberry device may wish to consider purchasing device insurance to cover things like cracked screens or water damage.