Advanced technology in mobile phones has made rapid strides in the way communication is taken place these days resulting in the proper organization of the lives of many individuals. The design characteristics of a mobile phone that appeals to senior citizens are quite different from the lower and middle-aged adults, as the requirements and uses of these groups vary significantly from one another. In the ageing process, an individual’s senses like vision, hearing and touch become compromised that affects their mobility, memory and cognitive skills considerably. Besides the ability to comprehend and learn new things also get diminished, which dissuades them from showing enthusiasm to learn and operate highly complicated modern smart phones. The unsuitability of cell phones of younger peoples to the older generations has forced the mobile phone manufacturers to develop senior-people specific mobile phones that do not necessitate greater memory and cognitive skills of the end user.
A Big button phone with simple features will to a great extent deliver the necessary services that will satisfy the demands and needs of a majority of elders.
To offset impaired vision
• Mobile phones for elderly people must be larger in size with big buttons and easy to read fonts.
• Phones for elders should have a simple design and must avoid cramming too many buttons in the keypad for their easy viewing.
• The voice recognition feature has become more reliable these days that has reduced the tensions of seniors to search for their family members in the contact menus. By just saying ‘call home’, an elder with impaired vision can connect to their desired preset number in no time without pressing any number.
• The screen colors provided in the mobiles phones should be a high contrast to operating the phone without much difficulty.
• A mobile phone with large icons can ease the challenges of the seniors with impaired vision to navigate through various menus.
To offset Hearing problem
• A big button phone with powerful speakers will help the seniors with impaired hearing to communicate freely without their using their hearing aids.
• Many elders suffering from hearing problem use hearing aids, and many mobile phones are available that are compatible with the hearing aids, which enable them to continue their communications devoid of difficulties.
• Senior friendly mobiles come with rocker buttons that help the elders with hearing difficulties to adjust easily the volume control.
A Big button phone with simple features will to a great extent deliver the necessary services that will satisfy the demands and needs of a majority of elders.
To offset impaired vision
• Mobile phones for elderly people must be larger in size with big buttons and easy to read fonts.
• Phones for elders should have a simple design and must avoid cramming too many buttons in the keypad for their easy viewing.
• The voice recognition feature has become more reliable these days that has reduced the tensions of seniors to search for their family members in the contact menus. By just saying ‘call home’, an elder with impaired vision can connect to their desired preset number in no time without pressing any number.
• The screen colors provided in the mobiles phones should be a high contrast to operating the phone without much difficulty.
• A mobile phone with large icons can ease the challenges of the seniors with impaired vision to navigate through various menus.
To offset Hearing problem
• A big button phone with powerful speakers will help the seniors with impaired hearing to communicate freely without their using their hearing aids.
• Many elders suffering from hearing problem use hearing aids, and many mobile phones are available that are compatible with the hearing aids, which enable them to continue their communications devoid of difficulties.
• Senior friendly mobiles come with rocker buttons that help the elders with hearing difficulties to adjust easily the volume control.