topic Re: Basic Cell Phone for a Senior in Electronics

Basic Cell Phone for a Senior

Mmsfoxxie — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 11:55:51 GMT

Hey, guys. My father, age 92 needs a basic, no bells and whistles cellphone. His old flip phone doesn’t work anymore and they say it can’t be fixed. He needs one with big characters and is very simple to use. He’s newly in a nursing home and already we see that things go missing so the phone can’t be expensive and definitely no contract. I see one here on QVC but the reviewers say it’s no good.

Any suggestions? I have a tracphone and would love to get one for him but if it gets stolen, I’m wondering how easy it would be for me to deactivate it. He also needs to keep his same phone # since his memory is bad. Thanks.

Re: Basic Cell Phone for a Senior

I am appleblossom — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 12:19:32 GMT

I switched from tracfone to Consumer Cellular. It nominally priced. I love it. They carry flip phones also.

Re: Basic Cell Phone for a Senior

I am still oxox — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 12:24:26 GMT

Look into a Jitterbug Phone, I am sorry but I can not help with info on the number transfer

Re: Basic Cell Phone for a Senior

Nuttmeg — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 12:59:16 GMT

Most cell phone companies sell prepaid simple phones.

You may want to read reviews about Consumer Cellular and Great Call before you buy service.

Re: Basic Cell Phone for a Senior

Kachina624 — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 16:53:42 GMT

Consumer Cellular seems to cater to seniors, has simple phones and supposedly great CS. They have an AARP discount. They carry them at Target or online.

Re: Basic Cell Phone for a Senior

Mz iMac — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 17:28:06 GMT

Why not get your father a landline? There are plenty w/HUGE number pads. Most light up in the dark too.

Re: Basic Cell Phone for a Senior

Mmsfoxxie — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 17:41:08 GMT

Thanks for the replies. Never heard of Consumer Cellular; I’ll check them out. The Jitterbug one had bad reviews on Amazon. He can’t have a private landline phone at the nursing home. He has had a cell phone for years and he wants what he wants, lol.

Great Call....not sure what that is either but I’ll check it out.

Re: Basic Cell Phone for a Senior

Mmsfoxxie — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 18:05:44 GMT

I’m considering that Alcatel Go Flip phone at Consumer Cellular. Anyone familiar with that one?

Re: Basic Cell Phone for a Senior

SouthernBee — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 21:32:29 GMT

@Mmsfoxxie : I purchased the greatcall jitterbug flip phone for DH. He is 63 with memory issues and hard of hearing. He can use this and hear calls. I purchase 200 minutes for the phone and bill under $22 per month. Have used the phone for about 3 years. No issues with the phone and for us excellent customer service. This is my 3rd phone. The first one replaced per company old tech. Purchased one for his mother. Normally in September they have a special for grandparents day. Current phone Alcatel with version service. Southern Bee

Re: Basic Cell Phone for a Senior

Mmsfoxxie — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 04:01:13 GMT

@SouthernBee , that’s useful information. Thank you!

Re: Basic Cell Phone for a Senior

SilleeMee — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 13:08:43 GMT

@Mmsfoxxie wrote:
I’m considering that Alcatel Go Flip phone at Consumer Cellular. Anyone familiar with that one?

@Mmsfoxxie

I own that flip phone. They call it a MyFlip. My service is with Tracfone...I buy 1-year's worth of service for around $50. The phone cost me $10 from them, it was a special offer when I bought it. Now it's $20.

Re: Basic Cell Phone for a Senior

Mmsfoxxie — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 13:12:40 GMT

Thanks @SilleeMee . Good to know.

Re: Basic Cell Phone for a Senior

Imaoldhippie — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 13:17:05 GMT

@Mmsfoxxie .........dont do jitterbug, my brother has one and its total ****** and so is their plans.

Re: Basic Cell Phone for a Senior

SilleeMee — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 13:34:08 GMT

@Mmsfoxxie

I ditched Consumer Cellular flip phone service for Tracfone. CC raised their rates so for me Tracfone is much more affordable now.

CC's cheapest plan is $15/mo. now ...but after you add the fees and taxes it's more. When I was with CC I was paying just less than $10 for that same plan. But after they figured in the fees and taxes it was more like $13 or something close to that amount.

Re: Basic Cell Phone for a Senior

SouthernBee — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 14:50:01 GMT

@Mmsfoxxie : Glad to help. Many people have success with the tracfone but not me, purchased 3 different models and not user friendly for me. Southern Bee

Re: Basic Cell Phone for a Senior

IslanderGirl62 — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 14:52:45 GMT

@Mmsfoxxie wrote:
Thanks for the replies. Never heard of Consumer Cellular; I’ll check them out. The Jitterbug one had bad reviews on Amazon. He can’t have a private landline phone at the nursing home. He has had a cell phone for years and he wants what he wants, lol.

Great Call....not sure what that is either but I’ll check it out.

Why can't he have a private landline? I am an RN, have worked in nursing homes for years, many of our residents have private landlines.

Re: Basic Cell Phone for a Senior

Mmsfoxxie — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 21:07:04 GMT

@IslanderGirl62 , I just assumed he couldn’t since I didn't see anyone else with one. He wants a cell phone, though. Right now he doesn’t even have a permanent room and I’m working on getting him moved to a ‘better’ facility. I hate this one.

Re: Basic Cell Phone for a Senior

crawford5153 — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 21:14:01 GMT

@Mmsfoxxie wrote:
I’m considering that Alcatel Go Flip phone at Consumer Cellular. Anyone familiar with that one?

Yes, I have that one as all I wanted was a phone to dial out and receive calls. I love mine and I am 66 so I think it would be wonderful for your Dad, easy to operate.

I have unlimited minutes per month for $20 and texting is $5 but yoiur Dad would not need texting. Bill without texting would be aroiund $24.