Mobile Phone For Elderly Relative

[Graudian]

I am looking to get a mobile for an elderly relative.
All he will be doing on it is receiving/making calls, texting &
receiving/sending emails to the Grandchildren.

Can anyone recommend a suitable phone and whether it should be
on a 'pay as you go' or fixed tariff?

[Rosie29]

Being elderly myself I will look forward to advice as well. As I would like a smartfone for the same sort of use - but also with a decent camera.

[jadyn]

You need a Doro mobile phone. I bought one for my late father-in-law and he managed to use it despite being next to useless with modern technology. The one he had included a priority number to call in the event of an emergency which would dial by pressing a single key. Doro phones are available in Argos. Here's a typical one but there are others:

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/2785615.htm

I'd suggest pay as you go. In the case like this, you can more easily monitor the usage and I wouldn't imagine he'll be using it to the extent that he needs a contract. A contract could be needlessly costly as you only need to keep an eye on his usage.

[alavahalf]

How about a Nokia 105. This one is sim free therefore you wont need to get it unlocked. Just put your existing sim in it and off you go... it's propably not unlike the old phone.

http://www.mymemory.co.uk/SIM-Free-Mobile-Phones/Nokia/Nokia-105-Sim-Free-Mobile-Phone---Black-?products=&gclid=CMnElo2JmMwCFekp0wod66UJlA

[jadyn]

I think one issue that might need to be taken into consideration here is the fact that the user is elderly. My father-in -law had fairly large fingers and a degree of arthritis along with some tremor. Now I realise that not all the elderly are like that, but the Doro phones are simple to use, have large keys and meet the needs of the elderly in most respects. The keypad on the Nokia 105 is not that large.

[Graudian]

Thanks very much for the advice.

I will investigate Doro & Nokia.

[Bathsheba]

alavahalf..my OH has that phone but he's dyslexic and only uses it for calls,..he can't text :(

Baths
x x

[retrocop]

These have been popular for some time apparently.
http://www.chums.co.uk/Products/AL500/binatone-easy-to-use-big-button-mobile-phone

[alavahalf]

Sorry Graudian .. forgot to mention he wont be receiving emails on an old style Nokia .. just texts.

Emails will be difficult to read without the larger screen.

@ ..Rosie29.. I doubt you will get a basic phone with a decent camera. You will need to spend a bit more. My choice is Motorolas best selling phone of all time. It is called the 'Moto G 3rd generation'. It has a 13MP camera and also has a 5" screen, it's even waterproof. It is what it is though .. a smart phone .. it's as simple to operate as any smartphone. I must admit I no longer carry a camera as this phone takes better pictures than my camera. If you have any Tesco Clubcard vouchers you can often double up and get great discounts.

http://www.tesco.com/direct/tesco-mobile-moto-g-black-3rd-gen/599-0069.prd?pageLevel=&skuId=599-0069

[murraymints]

DORO is recommended for elderly folk...mum has one...very loud ringtones and large buttons

[woofgang]

Another vote for the Doro. I got one for my father in law who is totally non techy. It was a bit of a gamble, I really thought he needed one as he drives himself around on his own, but wasn’t sure he’s like it or use it....he loves it and carries it around with him :)
Doro customer service are good too.

[Graudian]

Thanks all again.

Doro looks promising but would he be able to check his emails?

[woofgang]

yes on some models
http://www.doro.co.uk/mobile-devices/easy-phones/doro-phoneeasy-632-o2.html