The Best Cell Phones for Seniors With Dementia, Tested and Reviewed by Tech Experts in 2025

My grandma trying out the Jitterbug Smart4

Lively's Jitterbug Smart4 is one of our top cell phones for seniors and those with dementia. This isn’t the first time; When we reviewed the Jitterbug Smart4, we found it was a great pick for seniors with dementia. The Jitterbug Smart4 retails for $119.99 (and is currently 60 percent off, or $47.99 until 12/21/2025). That's more expensive than the TCL Classic from AT&T ($74.99), but the Smart4 has more features to justify the price.

The Jitterbug Smart4 is one of the easiest phones I've used, with essential smartphone features like internet access, voice typing for easy texting, and a simple list-based menu.

One of my favorite things about the Smart4 for those with dementia is the medical alert features. The smartphone has a large Urgent Response button. The is essential because people with dementia are twice as likely to experience a fall.1 After a fall or other emergency, users just press the Urgent Response button to connect with Lively’s 24/7 call center.

Expert Insights

From Taylor Shuman, Senior Tech Expert

Medical alert features are rare in cell phones. You can call 911 on any cell phone, but medical alert features offer added protection. Response agents already have all of your information and can send you help with the press of one button. Plus, caregiver features let loved ones track you and receive alerts during an emergency in real time.

The Jitterbug Smart4 also has a companion mobile app that allows loved ones to track the user and receive notifications when Urgent Response calls are placed. This is excellent for those with dementia who are prone to wandering.

» Related Reading: Best Medical Alert Systems

The Smart4 has a few drawbacks. In my experience, the Jitterbug Smart4 is slower and laggier compared to other smartphones. While testing the phone, I had to press a button several times before it would respond. If your loved one may find that frustrating, consider this before purchasing.

The Jitterbug Smart4 runs on Lively's network, which offers unlimited talk and text starting at $19.99 per month.

» Check Out: Best Senior Unlimited Cell Phone Plans

Health and Safety Features

The Jitterbug Smart4 excels in health and safety (if you're willing to pay for it). I'm a big fan of Lively's features that allow the Smart4 to double as a medical alert system. Lively's phone plans offer a variety of health and safety features.

The Smart4's big, red Urgent Response button gives users instant access to Lively's certified medical response agents 24/7. I pressed the red button and an agent answered in 15 seconds.

Lively's Urgent Response button is clearly displayed on the home and lock screen

You won't get all the safety features with Lively's Basic Plan. If health and safety are your main reasons for considering the Smart4, upgrade to the Preferred or Premium plan. The Preferred plan gives you access to 24/7 Urgent Response agents and the Lively Link app. The app lets loved ones track the user and receive immediate notifications during emergencies.

Testing out the Lively Link app's location tracking feature

The Premium plan includes both features, plus a Care Advocate to help create a personalized care plan and an on-call nurse to answer questions. These features are excellent for seniors with dementia who need multiple ways to receive help if they get lost, feel confused, or forget when to take medication.

Battery Life

According to Lively, the Jitterbug Smart4 battery can last for more than 24 hours on a single charge. When my grandma and I tested it, we found this to be pretty accurate. In standby mode, the battery can last up to four days. This is great for older adults who may forget to plug in their phone at night.

Camera Quality

The Jitterbug Smart4's front-facing camera is 8 MP, while the rear-facing camera is 13 MP. You can expect clear photos and videos with either camera. The photos won’t be as high quality as, say, the latest iPhone, but they’re still decent. My grandma and I took multiple photos and videos in high- and low-light environments. We found the image quality better than the photos we took with the Jitterbug Flip2.

Navigating the Jitterbug Flip2

The Jitterbug Flip2 is our favorite flip phone for seniors with dementia. If your loved one is used to a flip design and doesn't want anything advanced, the Flip2 is a great choice. It also has all the medical alert features as the Smart4.

For older adults who don't like typing, Amazon Alexa is built into the phone. I used the voice assistant to navigate the Flip2's settings, ask about battery life, send texts, and make calls.

The Flip2 is a better fit for seniors who may feel overwhelmed by a smartphone. It offers the same easy, list-style menu as the Smart4, but it uses tactile buttons for navigation. The Jitterbug Flip2 costs $79.99 ($39.99 for a limited time), making it one of the most affordable phones on this list.

» Learn More: Jitterbug Flip2 Review

Health and Safety Features

Lively's Urgent Response button is what makes it one of the best cell phones for seniors. Like the Jitterbug Smart4, I just pressed the red Urgent Response button on the keypad to connect with Lively's 24/7 monitoring center. This service is available only with Lively's top-tier plans, so consider that when budgeting. Unlike the Jitterbug Smart4, the Flip2 doesn't connect to the internet, so it's best for seniors who don't plan to surf the web.

I monitored the phone via the Lively Link app, which shows user location, battery level, and emergency call history. This gave me peace of mind knowing I could locate my loved one if they became lost, disoriented, or wandered off. These features are available only with a Preferred or Premium plan.

The Lively Flip keypad and Urgent Response button

I also like the Jitterbug Flip2's Amazon Alexa feature. Alexa cannot call 911 directly, but the voice assistant can put you in touch with someone who can. When my grandma tested the assistant, it connected her to me so I could help. This is a great addition if you don't want to spend extra money on one of the higher-tier plans. Amazon Alexa is also great for everyday tasks, such as composing texts or making calls.

Without a virtual assistant, the Flip2 makes it easy to contact favorite contacts via the one-touch speed dial function. Just keep in mind that you'll need to access your contacts first and assign a number to the contacts you want to add to your speed dial list. This may require help from a loved one.

» You Might Also Like: Jitterbug Phone Review

Battery Life

Like the Jitterbug Smart4, the Jitterbug Flip2 has an excellent battery that can last up to four days in standby mode. While using the phone, I found its battery lasted for about 12 hours after heavy use. Since the Flip2 has fewer battery-draining features than the Smart4 (like internet browsing), the battery may last longer if you don’t use it a ton.

Camera Quality

The Jitterbug Flip2 has a 5 MP front-facing camera and an 8 MP rear-facing camera. The Jitterbug Flip2 is lightweight and easy to grip, making it a breeze to snap pictures and videos. I took some photos inside and outside, and they turned out well. The photos won't be winning any awards and don't compare to photos taken on some of the best smartphones, but they’re decent!

Photo of my potted flowers taken with Lively's Jitterbug Flip2

RAZ Memory Cell Phone

The RAZ Memory Cell Phone is simple, making it an excellent choice for those with dementia. Many phones on our list work well for seniors with dementia, but the RAZ Memory Cell Phone is specifically designed for this demographic. The RAZ Memory Cell Phone starts at $349, so make sure it fits your budget.

The phone has one screen featuring contacts and an emergency button to call 911. I added photos to each contact, which display next to the person's name on the large screen. This makes it easy for the user to identify whom they want to call, whether it's a caregiver, loved one, or emergency services. Press the picture of the person to call, and the phone connects.

The phone also has a Remote Manage feature that allows loved ones or caregivers to remotely manage the cell phone through a mobile app or online portal. This lets the user maintain independence, while caregivers ensure the user's safety.

» Useful Resource: Five Best Budgeting Apps for Seniors

Health and Safety Features

The main safety feature of the RAZ Memory Cell Phone is the emergency help button, which calls 911 directly. Or you can change the settings so the help button calls RAZ emergency services.

A trained agent who knows the user has memory loss will answer the call and notify the user's emergency contacts. This is a great option for those with memory loss who make frequent unnecessary 911 calls. I appreciate that RAZ has options like this!

With the Remote Manage feature, family members can remotely manage the phone's settings via a mobile app. I remotely added or deleted contacts, checked the phone's battery life, sent reminders, tracked the phone's location, and set specific hours when calls can be placed. This last feature is particularly useful for people with a loved one who struggles with sundowning or tends to feel most confused during certain times of day.

This phone is intentionally simple. That means no extra features, such as text messaging, internet access, mobile apps, or voicemail. That may be a drawback for some seniors, but those with dementia will likely welcome the simplicity.

» Helpful Resource: Alzheimer’s Association Helpline

Battery Life

The RAZ Memory Cell Phone has a long-lasting battery for seniors who may forget to charge their phone from time to time. It can last up to five days in standby mode, which is better than the Jitterbug Flip2 or Smart4. It's also designed to last with heavy use, partly because there aren't many things you can do with the phone.

I tested the battery life by making several calls throughout the day. I didn't receive a low-battery notification until late in the evening! When the phone hit 20 percent battery life, it automatically sent a text alert to my contacts. I'm a big fan of this feature because it allows loved ones to check in and remind the user to charge the phone if they forget.

Camera Quality

One of the biggest drawbacks of the RAZ Memory Cell Phone is that it can't take photos. It doesn't have a camera. For $349, I'd prefer not only a camera, but one that takes quality photos. A camera may not be important for some seniors, but taking and sending photos or videos via text or email is a great way to stay in touch with loved ones. If a camera is essential and you want a phone with long battery life, the TCL Classic may be a better option.

TCL Classic

Priced at $74.99, the TCL Classic made our list thanks to its affordable price. To keep things simple without busting your budget, the TCL Classic is a great option. I found the phone simple to use, featuring an intuitive interface and dual displays. I easily navigated the keyboard with large, clearly labeled buttons. The TCL Classic also has shortcuts to your email, a web browser, and other useful features.

I appreciate that the phone has internet access, because many other flip phones, including the Jitterbug Flip2, don't. This allows users to browse the internet, stay connected through social media, and use GPS navigation if they get lost. The phone's internet speeds are slow, though. If a slow connection bothers you, consider a different phone.

This phone comes with all the basics, including talk, text, internet access, and a camera. The TCL Classic isn't exclusive to AT&T, but an AT&T plan is a great option for seniors. AT&T's 55+ plan offers unlimited talk, text, and data starting at $60 per month (currently $40 with Auto Pay and paperless billing) for one line and $70 a month for two lines.

» Further Reading: AT&T Unlimited 55+ Plan Review

Health and Safety Features

Given the affordable price, it's understandable that the TCL Classic doesn't have many health and safety features. It's easy to use, compatible with most hearing aids, and makes it easy to set alarms and personal reminders.

These features pale in comparison to the Jitterbug Flip2 or Smart4 with Lively's Premium plan. I would have liked a button to access emergency contacts, or even a voice assistant. Given the low price point, however, I can't complain about the lack of features.

» For Couples: Best two-line cell phone plans for seniors

Battery Life

I tested the battery and found it lasts for about 10 hours of talk time and 15 days in standby mode. This gives seniors more standby battery life than the Jitterbug Flip2 or Smart4. Like the RAZ Memory Cell Phone, the TCL Classic's lack of features helps boost battery life, but the TCL Classic lets you text and browse the internet (though the slow internet is disappointing).

Camera Quality

Like the TCL FLIP Go, the TCL Classic has a 2 MP rear-facing camera that delivers subpar results. After taking some photos, I felt the image quality varied by environment. In a well-lit area, I could make out details. If the lighting was less than perfect, the image was blurry or grainy. If you're more concerned about staying connected than taking photos, this won't be a major concern.

Snapfon ez4G

One of my favorite things about the ez4G is the balance it strikes between simplicity and connectivity. It's a basic brick-style phone, making it easy to use, but it has internet browsing, 4G LTE speeds, hotspot capability, and GPS tracking. All for $60. Not bad.

Emergency features, such as an SOS button, speed dialing, and preprogrammable text messages, make it easy for seniors to get help or stay in touch. The Snapfon ez4G comes with fall detection and a siren. These can be lifesaving in an emergency and are rare for a cell phone.

Health and Safety Features

The Snapfon ez4G has great features for seniors with dementia. The fall detection and siren are lifesavers, especially since people with dementia are at a higher risk of falls.

The SOS button makes it easier to contact loved ones and emergency responders without dialing 911. The SOS button is on the back of the phone, just under the camera. During testing, I liked the placement. It was easy to access, but I wasn't likely to accidentally press it.

One drawback is that the SOS button contacts emergency agents only if you upgrade to sosPLUS, which costs $40 per month. I tested the service and connected with an agent in under 30 seconds. I also simulated falls onto couch cushions and found the phone accurately detected a fall about 80 percent of the time.

» Useful Guide: Best Medical Alert Systems With Fall Detection

How do Snapfon's medical alert features compare to Lively's? Lively phones don't offer fall detection, so Snapfon has a leg up here. Snapfon doesn't have many other health and safety features that Lively offers, such as a care advocate and 24/7 access to an on-call nurse. I'd recommend Snapfon if fall detection is your main concern, but Lively is my top pick for more extensive features.

I like the Snapfon ez4G for many reasons, but I wish it had a bigger screen. Text may be difficult to read for seniors with impaired vision. I also wasn't thrilled with Snapfon's separate monitoring service billing. Emergency monitoring may be non-negotiable for older folks with dementia, and that $40 per month for sosPLUS is steep.

» Compare Your Options: Lively vs. Snapfon

Battery Life

Snapfon advertises an average talk time of five hours and a standby battery life of 4.5 days. I found the talk-time average accurate, but it's underwhelming compared to most other phones on our list, including the TCL Classic.

In my experience, the standby battery life lasted for about three days on a single charge. That may be because I received texts and notifications regularly, but it was still disappointing. Despite the mediocre battery life, the Snapfon ez4G has enough power to last a day or two on a single charge with light use.

Camera Quality

The Snapfon ez4G features a 2 MP front-facing camera and a 5 MP rear camera. The camera is decent for snapping photos and videos, but less impressive for selfies. I took some clear pictures with the regular camera, but selfies were low quality. Still, it's an improvement on the TCL Classic, which has just one 2 MP camera. For a better camera, I'd recommend the Jitterbug Smart4.