Mobile phones for the elderly: a necessary technological evolution

One of the missions that technological advances have set themselves lately has been to adapt to the needs of all its users. From there, electronic devices and appliances have been created that favor not only entertainment but also communication and interpersonal relationships.

Next we will take a tour of the main characteristics of mobile phones for the elderly, electronic devices specially adapted to the experiences of this age group.

• You may be interested: "12 technological and digital tools for psychologists"

Technology and generational distance: mobiles for the elderly

Among other things, people living in Western societies are characterized by a need to constantly move. Given this, one more need is generated: keep communicated and communicated with our peers and family.

Fortunately, these needs have been largely offset by the development of technology. However, this same development usually occurs at a speed at which not all of us have been able to adapt under the same conditions. The latter is notorious especially when it comes to people who are in a situation of disability, or who are not have access to technology because of the socioeconomic conditions in which they live, or because of the differences generational.

For example, there are older adults who have managed to adapt very easily to new technologies and who can control mobile phones or tablets; but there are also those who have the interest or the need to communicate through these devices, however, it does not seem so easy to handle them. Once again, technological development has responded to this need, creating devices that can be adapted to those who have greater difficulties in understanding or manipulating them.

Thanks to this, technology has been positioned as a fundamental element to avoid generational distancing, as well as to promote rapprochement and connection between people and issues that arise and are modified at high speed and across great distances.

In other words, although technology often seems to enslave us, it has also been fundamental in strengthening social inclusion for some contexts. There are even those who have begun to develop the concept of technological literacy as one of the key challenges for the 21st century.

• Related article: "The 3 phases of old age, and their physical and psychological changes"

5 useful mobile features for seniors

There are many mobile phones that have been quite efficient so that people who have already entered old age can communicate in an easy way and that they have grown up in generations where technology did not have the same development as it does now.

Beyond being mobiles specifically designed for the elderly, it is about recovering the first mobile designs that hit the market, which are also the simplest, and whose functions are the most basic.

Among the general characteristics of these devices are the following:

1. Designs very similar to the landline phone

This is useful because it can compensate for much of the confusion and little interest that some older adults show in the face of generational changes marked by technology.

There are people who, as soon as they see a touch screen, feel an immediate rejection, take it for granted that it is something very complicated, or simply do not have the interest to know how it works.

A) Yes, find a phone whose design is very similar to what they are used to, is undoubtedly one of the issues that favors its manipulation. Of course, these are not designs that have a rotating disk with numbers, but it is enough that it is a telephone large, illuminated buttons or keys that are easy to press, and whose numbers are also large and easy to use. recognize.

It is enough with a screen that does not necessarily have to have colors, since it would include the most basic functions such as the list of numbers and the most important names, or for example the date and time.

2. Direct Connect Buttons

Another feature of mobiles that are useful for older people is that the keys can be programmed to make direct calls to emergency contacts. These contacts can be family members or a doctor or nurse.

This makes it very easy and fast for the person to call her important contacts.

3. Louder ringtone and volume

It is also helpful to look for phones that may have a high ringtone and sufficient volume. so that the person listens as well as possible, especially if it is someone who has a hearing reduced.

Also this is useful for people who are not necessarily older people but who have a hearing condition that makes it difficult for them to use ordinary mobiles.

4. Durable batteries

Many of these phones have an advantage that many of the newer phones do not: the batteries last for a long time, even several days.

This is very important when it comes to an older adult who has a great need for external supports; as it can ensure that you are constantly communicating or that you do not have to remember to charge your mobile every day.

5. Extra benefits

These devices usually also have the option of a lamp, or there are even some that have a camera, which can be attractive.

Secondly, the interface of these mobile phones adapted to the elderly is usually quite intuitive, so you will not need very extensive explanations to understand its use. Even if it is a phone that has a touch screen instead of buttons, but its interface is equally intuitive, it can be very useful because it is They can configure, for example, large icons with the photos of the most important contacts, which makes it more agile to make or receive calls.