Best Cell Phones for Seniors in 2020

Why Should Seniors Have a Cell Phone?

There are many important reasons that a senior would not only want a cell phone but also need one in their daily lives. Having a cell phone today is no longer considered a ‘luxury’ item, as they have become much more affordable and offer greater coverage areas than ever before. Here are some of the top reasons that a senior needs a cell phone.

Socialization—Keeping in touch with friends, family and colleagues is vital to a senior’s wellbeing. Whether it is through making a phone call, texting, or using a live connection service like Skype or FaceTime, cellular phones can make all of this possible any time.

Emergency Situations—As the body ages, we tend to have more accidents such as falling or slipping. Furthermore, seniors are more prone to medical emergencies like strokes and heart attacks that require immediate lifesaving assistance. A cell phone nearby can provide instant access to that help, and there are models that even feature emergency call buttons that will alert pre-set contacts or call 911 right away.

Monitoring Health—Those who opt for a smartphone can use various apps that will keep track of current medical health. Information that can be recorded include weight, blood pressure, pulse and medication reminders can often be set.

Entertainment—Seniors with time on their hands or who enjoy keeping their brains active and sharp tend to enjoy games. Many of today’s cell phones come with pre-installed games, and there is often the ability to purchase games—even on some of the more basic flip phones. A cell phone that features games can help keep boredom at bay.

Greater Sense of Security—Seniors never have to feel alone when they have a cell phone by their side. Caring children and friends in addition to the carrier will certainly have greater peace of mind knowing that an independent senior in their lives has the ability to reach out for help or just to say hello.

What Features Should Seniors Look for in a Cell Phone?

Understandably, choosing a new cellular phone can be daunting regardless of your age. There are hundreds of device options, multiple plan carriers and a wide range of costs to consider. Furthermore, the phone you choose must be compatible with the plan you want, making the choice even more complex. With this in mind, here are some things to consider when choosing a phone with the features you need and want.

Smartphone or Basic Phone—This is the primary deciding factor in where you can go with features: choosing between a basic style of phone or a smartphone that allows you do to more. If you just want a flip phone that talks and texts with a few perks, don’t feel pressured to get a smartphone. However, if apps, video, gaming, GPS and other features are desired, a smartphone is just about the only way to get it all.

Determine Must-Have Features—Make a list of the most important features that will meet your needs. Is an emergency SOS button or a medical alert type of response button with monitoring essential? Consider looking for features like big screens, voice command options, adjustable icons, and easy navigation through menus. You’ll want to keep in mind any extras like camera and video abilities, games, and music for entertainment that might come in handy on more advanced phones.

Once must-have features have been determined, start shopping for a phone. If one stands out, go ahead and take it for a test drive. Most carriers offer a 14-30 day trial period, where the phone can be returned without questions or hassles. Take advantage of this opportunity to test the phone out. Is the screen big enough and bright enough? Can you hear clearly when talking or when the phone rings? Are they keys big enough and spaced to fit your fingers well? If not, return it and shop some more.

How Much Does a Senior Cell Phone Cost?

As we have covered, there are bare bones flip phones that only allow for talking that can be had for around $30 with prepaid service starting at $15 per month with low cost providers. There are plenty of mid range phones that cost anywhere from $50-$175 on average. As you progress into the smartphone realm—especially iPhone territory—phones can go into hundreds of dollars. There is a phone available to fit any budget, but one should also consider protective screens, cases and other accessories that can protect high dollar phones. Because these are expensive in local carrier stores, it may be wise to check out accessory prices online that are often much lower.

On top of buying the phone, you will have to consider the cost of a cellular phone plan. Depending on the type of phone, the carrier, and how much talk and text and data is needed the cost of a cellular plan can vary. The biggest deciding factor today is how much data you plan to use. If you want to listen to music on occasion, a modest 3G should suffice. Those planning to stream videos frequently will want to consider a 10G or unlimited data plan.

Many carriers offer prepaid plans with certain phones, so you would not have to be tied into a long-term contract. However, if financing the phone through the carrier is planned, they will almost always require you to sign a contract. If broken, there are steep fees in addition to the need to pay off any remaining balance on the phone immediately.

Fortunately, many seniors will qualify for discounts with the major carriers such as AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint and Verizon. Most offer a 55+ plan at a discounted rate for those in the golden years, and veterans discounts are also widely available. Furthermore, if you are a member of AARP or any other senior geared organization, be sure to ask about discounts. Low income seniors may qualify for assistance with their cell phone bill through the government’s Federal Lifeline Program.