Where can I get a mobile phone for the elderly?

Our mobile expert says...

Mobile phones are typically associated with young people, especially in the era of the smartphone, where handsets can play movies and navigate you around the world, as well as make calls and send texts.

However, recent research from telecoms regulator Ofcom found that older people are catching up with their younger counterparts, with over three-quarters of those aged between 65 and 74 in the UK now having a mobile phone.

This has spawned a range of mobile phones that are designed to cater specifically to the needs of older people and include features aimed at the often less technically savvy user.

What type of mobile phone is best for the elderly?

Mobile phones have come a long way since the days of the brick-sized handset popular with Del Boys of the 1980s, and are now available in a variety of shapes and sizes.

The mobile accessibility website launched by the Mobile Manufacturers Forum earlier this year offers a guide to various phones most suited to older people.

• Clamshell or flip - Suitable for those with impaired vision or who are blind, as this type of phone can be answered simply by opening it
• Candybar - Essentially the traditional mobile phone type. This can be useful to those with arthritis or poor dexterity as it does not need to be flipped or slid open
• Slider and Swivel - These are again suitable for blind people or those with impaired vision as, like the clamshell, they can be answered simply by sliding them open
• Touchscreen or smartphone - These types of phone could be of use to those who suffer from a degree of blindness or visual impairment as they have larger screens that can be used for texts and video calls

What mobile features do elderly people need?

As mentioned previously, there is now a range of mobile phones designed with the needs of the older user in mind, which means that they include features and functions that make them easier to use.

Examples of these to bear in mind when you are considering which handset to choose are:

• Charging cradle - This allows you to charge your device simply by placing it in a cradle at table height, rather than having to plug in and turn on a mains adapter every time
• Direct dialling buttons - Your handset will have a number of buttons dedicated to dialling pre- programmed numbers with one touch
• Enhanced call/text alert - Many models feature an extra loud ringtone and strong vibrate function for people who are deaf or those with hearing difficulties
• Enlarged keypad - Large buttons with larger numbers and letters, often backlit, are ideal for those with impaired vision or poor dexterity
• Fall sensor - This will make an emergency call when activated by a drop or hard knock
• Hide function - This gives you the ability to hide features on the handset that you won’t use or won’t want, making the phone as easy as possible to navigate
• Large display - Phones with a larger display that also show enlarged text are ideal for those with impaired vision

Can I get a mobile phone for an older person on a monthly contract?

Orange is the only major UK mobile network that offers handsets specifically made for older people on a monthly contract. It offers the Doro PhoneEasy 410gsm, which comes with a high-volume loudspeaker and large, clear display, on a range of plans that will see you pay nothing for the handset itself.

Of the smaller networks, Tesco Mobile offers the Doro clam 409, which features amplified sound and an alert button. You can choose from four different 24-month contracts or a 12-month deal, though you’ll have to pay for the actual handset with this contract.

However, handsets intended for elderly people from Doro and other mobile manufacturers, like Amplicom and Binatone, can be bought sim-free for between £70 and £150.

Then you can then buy either a standalone pay-as-you-go sim or pay monthly sim from one of the major mobile networks, depending on what sort call and text allowance you need.