Mobile Phones For Seniors: A Necessary Technological Evolution
One of the missions that technological advances have recently set for themselves has been to adapt to the needs of all their users. From there, electronic devices and gadgets have been created that promote not only entertainment but also communication and interpersonal relationships.
Next we will take a tour of the main features that mobile phones have for older people electronic devices specially adapted to the experiences of this age group.
Technology and generational distance: mobile phones for older people
Among other things, people living in Western societies are characterized by a need to constantly move. Given this, another need is generated: keep in touch with our peers and family.
Fortunately, these needs have been largely compensated by the development of technology. However, this same development usually occurs at a speed to which not all of us have been able to adapt under the same conditions. The latter is especially noticeable when it comes to people who are disabled, or who do not have access to technology due to the socioeconomic conditions in which they live, or due to generational differences.
For example, there are older adults who have managed to adapt very easily to new technologies and who can control mobile phones or tablets; But there are also those who have the interest or need to communicate through these devices, however, it does not seem so easy for them to handle them. Once again, technological development has responded to this need, creating devices that can be adapted to those who have greater difficulties understanding or manipulating them.
Thanks to this, Technology has been positioned as a fundamental element to avoid generational distancing as well as to promote rapprochement and connection between people and the issues that arise and change at high speed and across great distances.
That is to say, although technology often seems to enslave us, it has also been fundamental in strengthening social inclusion for some contexts. There are even those who have begun to develop the concept of technological literacy as one of the key challenges for the 21st century.
5 useful cell phone features for older people
There are many mobile phones that have proven quite efficient so that people who have already entered old age can communicate in a simple way and that they have grown up in generations where technology did not have the same development that it has now.
Beyond being cell phones specifically designed for older people, it is about recovering the first cell phone designs that came onto the market, which are also the simplest, and whose functions are the most basic.
Among the general characteristics of these devices are the following:
1. Designs very similar to the landline telephone
This is useful because it can compensate for much of the confusion and lack of interest that some older adults show in the face of generational changes marked by technology.
There are people who, as soon as they see a touch screen, feel an immediate rejection, assume that it is something very complicated, or simply have no interest in knowing how it works.
So, come across a phone whose design is very similar to what they are used to, is undoubtedly one of the issues that favors its manipulation. Of course, these are not designs that have a rotating dial with numbers, but it is enough that it is a telephone with large, illuminated buttons or keys that are easy to press, and whose numbers are also large and easy to recognize.
All you need is a screen that does not necessarily have to have colors since it would include the most basic functions such as the list of numbers and the most important names, or for example the date and time.
2. Direct connectivity buttons
Another feature of cell phones that is useful for older people is that the keys can be programmed to make direct calls to emergency contacts. These contacts may be family members themselves or a doctor or nurse.
This allows the person to call their important contacts very easily and quickly.
3. Louder volume and ringtone
It is also useful to look for phones that can have a loud ring tone and enough volume for the person to hear as well as possible, especially if it is someone who has reduced hearing.
Likewise, this is useful for people who are not necessarily older people but who have a hearing condition which makes it difficult for them to use ordinary cell phones.
4. Long-lasting batteries
Many of these phones have an advantage that many newer phones don’t: the batteries last a long time, even several days.
This is very important when it comes to an older adult who has a great need to receive external support ; since it can ensure that you are constantly in communication or that you do not have to remember to charge your mobile every day.
These devices usually also have the option of a lamp, or there are even some that have a camera, which can be attractive.
On the other hand, The interface of these mobile phones adapted to elderly people is usually quite intuitive, so you will not need very extensive explanations to understand its use. Even if it is a phone that has a touch screen instead of buttons, but its interface is equally intuitive, it can be very useful because you can configure, for example, large icons with photographs of the most important contacts, which makes more agile to make or receive calls.
