Published: May 4, 2023
Updated: May 15, 2023
The RAZ Memory Cell Phone is designed for seniors who need or want a very simple solution, perhaps because they are experiencing cognitive decline.
Unfortunately, many seniors who have cognitive decline also experience hand tremors or lack of mobility as a result of Parkinson’s disease, stroke, or arthritis. For these individuals, the RAZ Memory Cell Phone offers a special “mode”, which is described below. But first, here is a general description of the phone.
The RAZ Memory Cell Phone Starts and Ends with Simplicity
The RAZ Memory Cell Phone focuses on simplicity, making it a great option for seniors with mild cognitive impairment, dementia, or for seniors who want a simple solution. To achieve simplicity, the RAZ Memory Cell Phone has one primary screen; there is no menu system. The screen includes a maximum of six contacts, with an option for up to thirty. Contacts appear on the screen in the form of pictures with names underneath.
The pictures make it very easy for the senior to initiate a call: the senior taps and holds the picture of the person they wish to call. That’s it! There is no menu system, no apps, no ability to access settings …etc. No phone is as easy to use.
To further simplify the experience, the volume button is disabled and set to the highest possible volume (most seniors require the loudest volume setting), there is no lock screen that the senior needs to circumvent with a password or other action, and the power button can be disabled in case the senior has difficulty turning the phone on and off.
Control the Cell Phone from Afar with Remote Manage
Typically, a cell phone is managed by the user herself. To maximize ease-of-use of the RAZ Memory Cell Phone, however, the phone is managed by the caregiver through a groundbreaking feature called Remote Manage. Remote Manage provides caregivers the ability to manage all features of the RAZ Memory Cell Phone from anywhere in the U.S. or Canada, using a mobile application. Accordingly, the senior does not have access to the device settings. Instead, the caregiver controls these settings, and all features of the phone, through the app.
Remote Manage provides caregivers with many capabilities. These include:
- Manage contacts – Create, delete, and edit your senior’s contacts, including the contact pictures.
- Limit incoming calls to those from contacts – Block incoming calls from anyone other than contacts to prevent phone fraud.
- Video calls – Video call your senior through the mobile application.
- Quiet hours – Set up times of the day during which the senior cannot call certain contacts, for example, in the middle of the night.
- Text message alerts when the battery is low – When the battery of the RAZ Memory Cell Phone is low, the caregiver will receive a text message alert. The caregiver can then remind the senior to charge their phone.
- Reminders – Send your senior reminders of things they should do or of upcoming events.
- Status information – Check the status of the phone’s battery, signal strength, and location.
- Auto answer – Phone calls will be answered automatically, after two or three rings, without the senior having to press “Answer.” This can help someone with mobility difficulties.
- Calls to the speaker – Calls will automatically go to the speaker.
- Disable the power button – The RAZ Memory Cell Phone will always be on. The senior will not be able to inadvertently turn off the phone.
- Receive a text message when user calls 911 – Up to 3 people will receive text messages when the senior calls 911.
- Announce that battery is charging – The phone will speak “phone charging” when the phone is charging.
- Remind user to charge – When the battery is low, the senior will receive a reminder to charge.
- Hear name of caller – The phone will announce the name of the caller out loud during an incoming call.
Special “Mode” for Seniors with Parkinson’s, Hand Tremors, or Arthritis
With this mode activated, instead of six (6) contacts per page, there will be only two, and the contacts will be much larger, making it significantly easier for a senior with Parkinson’s, hand tremors, or arthritis to initiate a phone call. Further, the Emergency button, answer button, and hang-up button will be much larger, as well.
The caregiver can activate this special mode through the RAZ Care app. He or she can also customize the contact icons by selecting the color schemes. For example, the names of the contacts can be in yellow and the background in black. Customizing the colors is a major benefit to seniors with vision loss.
Another feature that makes the cell phone significantly easier for seniors with Parkinson’s disease, hand tremors, or arthritis to use, is Auto Answer. With this feature activated, voice and video calls will be automatically answered after two or three rings and will go to the speaker. The senior does not have to press any button whatsoever to answer the call. Because the call goes to the speaker, the senior does not even need to pick up the phone! This is a very helpful feature for someone with mobility challenges.
Also, there is a wireless charging set that can significantly benefit someone with Parkinson’s, hand tremors, or arthritis. Instead of charging the phone by connecting the charging cable to the phone’s charging port, the senior can simply place the phone onto a charging tray. This wireless charging set is an accessory that costs $59.00.
Price and Wireless Service
The price of the RAZ Memory Cell Phone is either $309.00 or $349.00. The version that is $309.00 is compatible with the T-Mobile network only. The version that is $349.00 works with all major wireless providers, including Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, Ultra Mobile, Mint Mobile, Affinity Cellular, Consumer Cellular, and others.
The phone is unlocked, so the user can select his or her wireless provider and plan. Currently, both versions of the phone come with a free SIM card and three (3) free months of service from either MINT Mobile or Affinity Cellular.
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