Published: May 2, 2023
Updated: May 2, 2023
This post reviews three popular cell phones for seniors with Dementia or Alzheimer’s. These include:
RAZ Memory Cell Phone – the Best Cell Phone for Dementia or Alzheimer’s
The RAZ Memory Cell Phone is the only cell phone specifically designed for seniors with dementia or Alzheimer’s, although it is also a good choice for some seniors who just want a very simple experience. The cell phone is based on 3 design principles: (1) it is incredibly easy to use for the senior, (2) the phone can be managed from afar through a feature called Remote Manage, and (3) every additional capability offered by the phone is optional.
The Focus is Simplicity for the Senior with Cognitive Decline
The RAZ Memory Cell Phone has one primary screen. The screen accommodates up to 6 contacts with an option for up to 30, with contact pictures and names underneath. The pictures help seniors with dementia who cannot always remember the names of their contacts or who may have difficulty reading. There is also a button to call 911; the senior does not have to enter the digits. To make calls, the senior taps and holds the picture of the person they want to call. That’s it! There is no menu system, no apps, no ability to access settings …etc.
The senior’s contacts can video call the senior at any time through the RAZ Care app. Video calls are answered by the senior in exactly the same way as voice calls, making participating in video calls especially easy.
With simplicity for the senior with dementia in mind, the phone’s volume button is disabled and is always set to maximum, the screen does not lock or go to “sleep” (the display is always on), and even the power button can be disabled.
Remote Manage to Help the Caregiver
Normally a cell phone’s features are managed in device settings or in individual applications. In the case of the RAZ Memory Cell Phone, to maximize simplicity for the senior with dementia, and to accommodate the fact that many caregivers do not live with their loved ones, the cell phone is managed through a feature called Remote Manage. Remote Manage allows caregivers to manage all aspects of the RAZ Memory Cell Phone from afar, using a mobile application or an online portal.
Remote Manage offers many capabilities and options. These include:
- Contact management – Create and edit your senior’s contacts remotely.
- Limit incoming calls to those from contacts – If predatory robocalls calls are a concern, you can block incoming calls from anyone other than contacts.
- Video calls – Contacts can place video calls to the senior through the RAZ Care app. This feature is coming soon.
- Contact allow list – Create a list of people (other than contacts) who can call the senior even if incoming calls are limited to contacts.
- Quiet hours – Set up windows of time during which your senior with dementia cannot place calls to selected contacts, for example, during the night.
- Receive text message alert when the battery is low – The care partner will receive a text message when the battery of the RAZ Memory Cell Phone decreases to a specified level.
- Reminders – Remind your senior about events or things they should do. A sticky note will appear on the RAZ Memory Cell Phone, and there is an option for an audio message, as well.
- Status information – Use the app or online portal to check the remaining battery power, the signal strength, and track the location of the phone.
- Auto answer – The RAZ Memory Cell Phone will automatically answer phone calls. The senior does not have to press “Answer”.
- Calls to the speaker – Place all calls automatically on the speaker by selecting this option in the online portal or app.
- Disable power button – Disable the power button, ensuring that the phone is always on and that the senior does not inadvertently turn off the phone and struggle to turn it back on.
- RAZ Emergency Service – The RAZ Memory Cell Phone includes a dedicated 9-1-1 button. The senior simply presses the button to contact emergency services. If the senior has the habit of repetitively calling 9-1-1, which is not uncommon for seniors with more advanced dementia or Alzheimer’s, the care partner can subscribe to the RAZ Emergency Service for $99.99 per year. Calls are routed to a private dispatch service and the dispatch agents know that the caller suffers from memory loss. Also, care partners are notified of emergency calls by text message and can “cancel” the emergency.
- Receive a text message when the senior calls 911 – Up to 3 people will receive a text message notifying them that their senior has called 911.
- Announce that battery is charging – The phone will speak “phone charging” to inform the senior that they are successfully charging their phone.
- Remind senior to charge – The senior will receive a reminder to charge when the battery is low.
- Hear name of caller – During an incoming call, the phone will announce the name of the caller.
- Special mode for low vision or tremors – Make the contacts, answer button, and hang-up button, much larger for seniors with low vision or hand tremors, such as from Parkinson’s disease.
Physical Description
The RAZ Memory Cell Phone is a smartphone with a 6.5-inch display, which provides a lot of real estate for contacts and their pictures. The large display also helps people with vision loss. It has a modern “tear-drop” design with minimal bezels. Nobody can tell from the design that the phone is for seniors with dementia or Alzheimer’s, which means that users will not feel self-conscious that they have a “special” phone.
The display itself is very bright. It dims a little when it has not been used for 2 minutes in order to save battery power. Even in this dimmed state, it can be seen easily by seniors. As soon as the user touches the dimmed display, it brightens.
At the top edge of the phone is a headphone jack. On the right edge are the power button and the volume rocker. On the left edge is the SIM card slot.
Price and Wireless Service
The price of the RAZ Memory Cell Phone is $349.00 and works on all major wireless providers, including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Consumer Cellular, Mint Mobile, Affinity Cellular, and other compatible networks. The phone is unlocked. In other words, the user can select his or her wireless provider and plan. Currently, the phone comes with a free SIM card and three (3) free months of service from either MINT Mobile or Affinity Cellular.
KidsConnect KC2
The KidsConnect KC2 Phone is designed for children. The company website describes the phone as a parent’s “All In One Security Solution”. Nevertheless, the phone is sometimes purchased for individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s as a result of its simplicity.
Physical Description
The KidsConnect cell phone is the shape of a rectangle and is almost 4 inches long and 2.5 inches wide. It has a width of almost half an inch, so it is quite thick, but can easily fit into a pocket. The cell phone has a touch screen that takes up about a third of the front of the phone.
Phone Calls
The senior can call up to three (3) contacts with the physical speed dial buttons. There are no pictures displayed on the cell phone, so the user must remember which contact is associated with each number. To place a call, the senior must press and hold the speed dial button for three (3) seconds. An additional twelve (12) people can be contacted with the touch screen. To make calls with the touch screen, the senior must tap “Phone” and then tap the number that they wish to call. Again, there are no pictures. Depending on the user’s level of dementia or Alzheimer’s, navigating this menu system may or may not be possible. Watch a video to see the basic operation of KidsConnect.
The phone cannot dial 911, but it does have an SOS button that will call and send text messages to up to three numbers. The text message will say that an SOS has been triggered. The inability to call 911 may be a deal-breaker for some.
Other Features
The phone offers GPS tracking and geo-fencing, which may be very useful features for finding a wandering senior with dementia. The phone also offers text messaging, a stopwatch, and access to settings through the touchscreen menu system. These additional features add some complexity to the device and may be confusing to individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s.
The KC2 also offers voice monitoring. To activate the feature, the caregiver sends a text message to the phone and within less than a minute the phone will call back without activating the screen, allowing the caregiver to monitor the senior’s surroundings.
Unlike with the RAZ Memory Cell Phone, the volume button is not locked down, so the user can inadvertently lower the volume without realizing it. Further, like many cell phones, the KidsConnect locks after a certain period of time. Some users may have difficulty unlocking their cell phone.
Contacts are managed through an online portal.
Price and Wireless Service
The price of the KidsConnect phone on the KidsConnect website is $199.95. Wireless plans are purchased through the KidsConnect website and cost $45/month for unlimited service with T-Mobile coverage and $60/month for unlimited service with AT&T coverage.
Jitterbug Flip2
The Jitterbug Flip2 is a simple flip phone. It is designed for seniors generally, rather than specifically for people with dementia or Alzheimer’s.
Physical Description
As the name suggests, the Jitterbug Flip2 is a flip phone. When it is shut, it measures 4.3 by 2.2 inches and is .7 inches deep. It comes in red and graphite. On the left edge of the phone, close to the top, is a standard headphone input, and below it, a USB port. On the right side, near the top, is the volume toggle. The power button is on the keypad itself. The battery is removable.
The cell phone comes with a charging dock, which is definitely a bonus for seniors.
Making Calls
There are four ways to place a call: first, by dialing the number with the keypad. Second, by placing calls from contacts. Third, by dialing by voice. The cell phone can be set up so that the senior can dial by voice as soon as they open the flip phone. The senior can initiate a call by speaking someone’s name if they are in the senior’s contacts or by speaking the phone number. Fourth, the cell phone also includes Amazon’s Alexa service. So, the senior could say, “Alexa, call Ben”.
None of these methods include pictures of contacts. Seniors must remember the number or name of the person they wish to call. Further, seniors can call any number without restriction, which will be problematic in the case of some users.
Unlike the RAZ Memory Cell Phone or the KidsConnect KC2, incoming calls cannot be limited to contacts. Thus, if you are concerned about the senior being taken advantage of by predatory telemarketers, the Jitterbug Flip2 is probably not a good option.
Users can dial 911 in the event of an emergency. They must type each digit individually.
The Jitterbug Flip2 is really all about health services. It advertises itself as a “personal safety device.” The Basic health and safety package is priced at $24.99 per month (on top of the cost of your cell phone service), and most notably includes a private emergency dispatch service. There is also a Premium package for $34.99. The Premium package includes access to a board-certified doctor or nurse without an appointment. These services are accessed by pressing the 5Star Button. A subscription to these health services does not prevent a senior with dementia from calling 911.
Watch a video of the Jitterbug in action.
Other Features
The Jitterbug Flip2 supports other features, including text messaging, a camera, call history, a flashlight, a magnifier, a clock, a calculator, and FM Radio. It also has Amazon Alexa, which allows the senior to ask it for information, such as the weather. It does not support video calls. The availability of all of these features may introduce more complexity than a senior with dementia can handle.
Users can also make various adjustments in settings, such as colors, jingle on/off, ring tones, and Bluetooth.
Complexity – it is Simple, but not for Seniors with Dementia
The Jitterbug is a simple basic cell phone. Nevertheless, the senior must be able to navigate the menu system in order to use it effectively. And there may still be too many features for a senior with dementia who needs the simplest of cell phones. Finally, there are no pictures to help the senior remember contacts.
Price and Wireless Service
The price of the Jitterbug Flip2 is $99 on its website. People who purchase the Jitterbug Flip2 must use the Lively wireless service. Lively uses Verizon’s network, so coverage is very good. The price of Unlimited talk and text is $19.99 per month.
As discussed above, the various health and safety features of the Jitterbug Flip cost additional; prices start at $24.99 per month.
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