Do you have a parent, grandparent, aging aunt or other relative who is having difficulty navigating the “cellphone scene?” Clark Howard recently was talking about this problem, and mentioned a company that decided to address this problem. I couldn’t remember the name of the product and went to his website. Well, I couldn’t find it there, either, so I searched for “senior cellphone.” And it came up!!
The Jitterbug is a very simple cellphone with larger-than-usual number keys on one of it’s 2 styles and NO keypad at all on it’s other style!! But more on that later. The whole point of Jitterbug is to make cellphones accessible to people – not just elderly – who have difficulty handling the small size and small keypads of the usual cellphone.
I think this bears investigation by anyone who has a family member or friend who might benefit from such a device.
What are the drawbacks? Well, first of all, there is a limit of 50 people on the phone list. Now, for your typical retiree, this might not be a problem, but by the time you add up a bunch of family members and about 8 doctors plus a pharmacy or two, you may be pushing the limits.
Second, the costs can add up. There are only a few plans, they are very simple, and all extras are added on. HOWEVER – for the elderly person who really needs a cellphone – and there are many – this is a very viable option.
So you may want to check out the Jitterbug and see if it will help you, a family member or a friend. We are looking at it for one of our family members. I hope it helps – think it will.
Great post, and great idea! I have several older and visually-impaired relatives too, and this may be just the thing.
I found you first via your posting of the essay, “The Invisible Mother”, which everywhere online is attributed to an invisible author. (Except by you and one other source! Good for you!!) Someone sent this piece to me today too and I am so interested in both the piece, the author, and all that “invisibleness” that I blogged about it myself today. (I think I may have found out the author’s name, too) Anyway, I would be very grateful if you would visit and comment!
God Bless,
Almostgotit
p.s. love your blog “skin” too… it’s the one I used myself until just recently!!
[…] The Jitterbug! The Jitterbug is a very simple cellphone with larger-than-usual number keys on one of it?s 2 styles and NO keypad at all on it?s other style!! But more on that later. The whole point of Jitterbug is to make cellphones accessible to … […]