New Cell Phone for People with Dementia and Intellectual Disabilities



Published: February 27, 2020

RAZ Mobility is proud to announce the launch of the new RAZ Memory Cell Phone! The phone is designed to fill an important gap in the market: a device that can meet the needs of individuals with Alzheimer’s, dementia or intellectual disabilities, as well as the needs of their families. 

 

Approximately 5.8 million Americans have Alzheimer’s dementia, with one in ten people over the age of 65 diagnosed with the disease. The number of people with dementia is expected to increase rapidly as the proportion of the population 65 and older increases. The American Psychiatric Association reports that approximately three million Americans have an intellectual disability. Accordingly, the need is great! 

 

People who suffer from dementia experience both memory loss and confusion. At a certain stage in the progression of the disease a smartphone or basic mobile phone becomes far too complex. The user cannot perform the multiple steps it takes to initiate simple functions, like making a phone call. And the user can get “lost” in the settings and other parts of the phone.  

 

The RAZ Memory Cell Phone is designed to address these challenges. The phone consists of one primary screen with up to six contacts, with the contact pictures and names underneath. For those individuals who require more than six contacts, there is an option to include up to twenty-four contacts. There is also a button to call 911. That’s it! There are no notifications, operating system updates, no ability to access apps or settings … etc. There are no distractions whatsoever. To make calls simply tap and hold the picture of the person you wish to call. The screen does not even lock or go to “sleep”; it is permanently on. The volume button is disabled, and volume always set to maximum. Every detail of the phone is managed to achieve the greatest simplicity possible.     

 

Moreover, contacts are not managed by the user, but rather by the caregiver through an easy-to-use online portal. The caregiver can also use the portal to limit all incoming calls to those from contacts, preventing unwanted predatory calls from people who may take advantage of individuals with memory loss. 

 

Finally, the phone can help a caregiver locate the user. There is a feature in the portal that shows the user’s location on a map and also provides the precise address. This feature can be very valuable in the event that someone with memory loss or an intellectual disability is lost and needs to be located. 

 

The RAZ Memory Cell Phone, customized for individuals with Alzheimer’s, dementia and intellectual disabilities, is perfect for individuals who require the simplest experience possible.