Published: December 11, 2025
For most seniors and caregivers, the right cell phone plan comes down to three key points: how much it costs, which phones it works with, and how easy it is to get help when needed. Many older adults use limited mobile data, so the goal is to avoid overspending while keeping communication reliable.
Affinity Cellular
Pricing and extra fees
Affinity Cellular offers no-contract plans on Verizon’s network, with unlimited talk and text for $15 per month and talk, text, and data from $20. RAZ Memory Cell Phone buyers can get a special deal through RAZ Mobility: 3 months of free service from Affinity, then $20 per month for unlimited talk, text, and 5GB of data.
There is usually a one-time activation fee of about $35 per phone unless a promotion waives it. Affinity Cellular doesn’t support international roaming and, on most current plans, doesn’t support international calling or texting from the U.S. Customers who need to call abroad typically need a different provider or a separate international calling solution.
Equipment
You can bring a compatible unlocked phone, including the RAZ Memory Cell Phone, or buy a flip phone or smartphone from Affinity.
Customer service
Support is U.S.-based and available by phone and online. Affinity also partners with membership groups (for example, some state farm bureaus) that sometimes waive activation fees and offer bill credits.
Consumer Cellular
Pricing and extra fees
Consumer Cellular operates primarily on the AT&T network and focuses on adults 50+. Plans start around $20 per month and go up with data, including an unlimited data option. Consumer Cellular currently lists a $10 one-time activation fee per line. Taxes and carrier fees are added on top and vary by location.
For international calling from the U.S., Consumer Cellular charges per-minute rates that depend on the country. International roaming must be enabled in advance, and roaming rates can range roughly from a few cents up to around $0.50–$0.60 per minute, text, or megabyte, depending on the country.
Equipment
You can bring your own unlocked phone or choose from flip phones, smartphones, and devices such as the GrandPad.
Customer service
U.S.-based, with agents in several states, and is available by phone and live chat.
Lively (Jitterbug)
Pricing and extra fees
Lively offers cell phone service plus health and safety features on Verizon’s network. Phone plans start around $19.99 per month for unlimited talk and text, with data and health services priced separately. Most plans require a one-time $35 activation fee, although some customers can avoid it by activating over the phone instead of in-store. Lively also adds standard government, administrative, and universal service fees. For calls to other countries from the U.S., Lively uses per-minute international rates that vary by country and can be significantly higher than domestic rates.
Equipment
Lively supports its own phones, such as the Jitterbug Flip2 and Jitterbug Smart4, priced roughly $80 to $120 plus the activation fee and first month of service. There are also bring-your-own-phone options.
Customer service
Lively offers U.S.-based support by phone and online, including help with both connectivity and health features like Urgent Response and Lively Link.
Verizon
Pricing and extra fees
Verizon offers a wide range plans that can work well for seniors, especially those who want strong nationwide coverage. In practice, many older adults are fine with Verizon’s lower-tier unlimited or “basic” plans, since they typically use modest mobile data but value reliable voice service.
On top of the advertised monthly price, Verizon usually charges a one-time activation or upgrade fee per device and adds taxes and surcharges (administrative and regulatory fees) to each line. Families who call abroad can either pay per-minute international rates or add an international calling package that includes unlimited calls to countries like Canada and Mexico, plus discounted rates to many others.
Equipment
Verizon supports a wide range of smartphones and basic phones and allows many unlocked devices. This is useful if you want to pair Verizon’s coverage with a senior-friendly device, such as an unlocked RAZ Memory Cell Phone or a simple flip phone, instead of buying a new handset from the carrier.
Customer service
Verizon offers support by phone, online chat, and in a large network of retail stores across the U.S.
T-Mobile
Pricing and extra fees
T-Mobile’s 55+ plans are available nationwide. Two-line plans usually offer the best value, with a lower price per line than single-line options. T-Mobile charges a one-time $35 device connection fee per line at activation, plus monthly taxes and surcharges.
For international calling from the U.S., customers can add a Stateside International Talk feature for about $15 per month for unlimited calls to a selection of countries or choose a higher-priced option that covers more destinations.
Equipment
T-Mobile supports many unlocked devices and encourages bring-your-own phone when compatible.
Customer service
Support is available by phone, through the T-Mobile app, and in stores.
AT&T
Pricing and extra fees
AT&T offers several unlimited and limited-data plans that can work well for seniors. The AT&T 55+ plan starts at about $60 per month for one line or around $56 per month per line when you have 4 lines, plus taxes and fees. The 55+ plan include unlimited talk, text, and data in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. AT&T usually charges a one-time activation or upgrade fee of about $35 per line.
Equipment
AT&T supports a wide range of smartphones, basic phones, and compatible unlocked devices.
Customer service
Support is available online, by phone, and in AT&T stores. They also offer a Support video library.
The RAZ Mobility Advantage
The RAZ Memory Cell Phone is designed for seniors with dementia, cognitive decline, or vision loss, and for the caregivers who support them. The phone uses a single main screen with contact photos for one-touch calling and an optional emergency button. Caregivers can manage contacts, settings, reminders, quiet hours, call limits, and status checks remotely through the RAZ Care app on their own smartphone.
The RAZ Memory Cell Phone is fully unlocked and works with nearly all major wireless providers in the United States and Canada, including Affinity Cellular, AT&T, T-Mobile, and many Verizon-based MVNOs. This gives families the freedom to choose a plan with enough talk and text and modest data. When pricing, equipment, and customer service are chosen together, seniors stay connected and caregivers gain a reliable communication setup that fits real everyday needs.
Check out other helpful articles on cell phones:
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- A Great Cell Phone for Parkinson’s, Hand Tremors, and Arthritis
- 4 Best Cell Phones for Seniors with Dementia or Alzheimer’s in 2026
- 4 Best Simple Cell Phones for Seniors in 2026
- 6 Top Cell Phones for People Who are Blind or Visually Impaired in 2026
- The Best Cell Phone for Stroke Victims in 2026
- Cell Phone or Landline: What is the best choice for seniors?
Learn about medical ID bracelets and our new RAZ Medical ID Bracelet here: