Published: April 22, 2024
Updated: January 22, 2024
The RAZ Memory Cell Phone was specifically designed for seniors with cognitive decline. As such, it is frequently a very good choice for people who have experienced a stroke. In a recent customer survey, it was reported that close to 10% of seniors using the RAZ Memory Cell Phone, were doing so because they had experienced a stroke.
Depending on the area of the brain impacted by the stroke, cognitive functions, such as thinking, reasoning, and judgment, can be impacted. If this occurs, the complexity of using a standard cell phone, or even a landline, may be too much for the stroke victim.
RAZ Mobility participates in the AARP’s AgeTech Collaborative, and the cell phone won the Collaborative’s 2022 Connect and Thrive pitch competition.
It’s All About Simplicity
The RAZ Memory Cell Phone focuses on simplicity, making it a great option for seniors who have experienced a stroke. Simplicity is achieved in several ways. Most importantly, the RAZ Memory Cell Phone has one primary screen, rather than a menu system. The screen includes a maximum of six contacts, with an option for up to fifty. Contacts appear on the screen in the form of pictures with names underneath.
The pictures make it easier for people who have experienced a stroke to recognize the contact they wish to call. This can be especially important for stroke victims because the stroke may have impacted the senior’s ability to read. Accordingly, selecting contacts by picture, rather than name, can be a critical feature.
To make calls, 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. The Phone cannot be any easier 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 stroke victim has difficulty turning the phone on and off.
Control the Cell Phone from Afar with Remote Manage
Typically, a cell phone is managed in device settings. To maximize the ease of use of the RAZ Memory Cell Phone, however, the phone is managed 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 called the RAZ Care app.
The mobile application can be downloaded by the caregiver to his or her smartphone, such as an iPhone, Android phone, or tablet. To be clear, the stroke victim does not have access to the device settings; the caregiver controls these settings, and all features of the phone, through the online portal or app.
Remote Manage offers caregivers many capabilities and options. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Manage contacts – Create, edit, and delete your senior’s contacts, including the pictures, remotely.
- Limit incoming calls to those from contacts – Block incoming calls from anyone other than contacts to prevent scam calls and telemarketing calls.
- Video calls – Contacts can video call the senior through the mobile application (not yet available – coming soon).
- Contact allow list – This is a list of people (not contacts) who can call the senior even if incoming calls are limited to contacts.
- Quiet hours – These are times of the day during which the senior who has experienced a stroke cannot call certain contacts, for example, at night-time.
- Text message alerts when the battery is low – When the RAZ Memory Cell Phone battery is low, the caregiver will receive a text message alerting them to that fact. The caregiver can then remind the senior to charge their phone.
- Reminders – Remind your senior of things they should do or upcoming events. Some seniors who have had strokes experience memory loss.
- Status information – Check the status of the RAZ Memory Cell Phone’s remaining battery, signal strength, location, whether the Phone is currently being charged, and whether it is powered on.
- Auto answer – Phone calls will be answered automatically, after two or three rings, without the senior having to press “Answer.”
- Keypad – An option for a high-contrast keypad.
- Toll-free calls – An option for a keypad to appear when the user dials a toll-free number to facilitate navigation of the automated phone system.
- Voicemail – A voicemail button can appear to provide access to voicemail.
- Calls to the speaker – Calls will automatically go to the speaker.
- Missed calls – Option for the senior to be notified of missed calls.
- Day of the week – Option to show the day of the week, and the month and date, in the RAZ Memory Cell Phone’s status bar.
The RAZ Care app also includes a feature called the Dementia Care Advisor. Ask a question about dementia, and the Advisor will provide a trusted answer. The purpose is to help people through their caregiving journey. It is trained on trusted sources of clinical data, ensuring reliable answers. The tool is available to customers in the RAZ Care app at no additional charge.
Operating the Phone with Tremors
In some cases, individuals experience tremors following a stroke. Tremors refer to the involuntary movement of a part of the body. If, after a stroke, tremors are experienced in the hands, it may be difficult for the senior to use a standard cell phone. In this case, the RAZ Memory Cell Phone can assist.
The RAZ Memory Cell Phone includes a special hand tremor and low vision mode. In this mode there are two (2) large rectangular icons per page, making it easy to initiate calls by pressing the extra-large icons. Further, by minimizing the extent to which the stroke victim must navigate a cell phone, the entire experience is easier for someone with tremors.
Price and Wireless Service
The price of the RAZ Memory Cell Phone is $349.00. It is compatible with virtually all networks. Accordingly, it works with all major wireless providers, including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Consumer Cellular, Mint Mobile, Affinity Cellular, and others.
The phone is unlocked, so the user can select his or her wireless provider and plan. The phone comes with a free SIM card and three (3) free months of service from Affinity Cellular.
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