Some background: My mother-in-law is in her 80s. For a couple of reasons, the wife and I convinced her to get her first cellphone two years ago. The transition has been rocky, mostly due to the fact that she won't spend the money for a decent phone.

The first phone she got was free and it was a total piece of junk. She had difficulty figuring out how to use it from day one. In less than a year it broke and someone told her to get a "Jitterbug" phone. The Jitterbug phone was not much better and she constantly complains how difficult it is to use.

I had suggested she get a cheap iPhone. She isn't interested in any smartphone features, but I told her that its ease of use would be worth it, even if she only used it for making calls. However, as soon as I told her it would cost a couple of hundred dollars, she said "Forget it".

Today, she was talking to the wife, complaining about the Jitterbug again and said she is ready to dump it. I talked to the wife afterwards and brought up the iPhone suggestion again. I looked around online and found a refurbished iPhone SE for $150.

Before bringing this up with my mother-in-law again, I'm wondering if anyone else has experience with getting a senior on an iPhone. I think they are very user friendly, but I've been in the Apple ecosystem for over a decade and wonder if my long experience with iPhones is effecting my judgement.

A second concern I have is that this iPhone SE is not 5G. Does anyone have an idea how long carriers will continue to support non-5G phones on their networks. I would really hate to have my mother-in-law get an iPhone and a few months later find out she needs to upgrade to a 5G phone.

Thanks in advance for any input or suggestions.

We got my MIL an iPhone when she was about 67-68. My wife spent quite a bit of time helping her with setting the phone up to her liking but once she got it, she loved it. Things like Facetime for her to video the grand kids has been great. Even got her an iPad to Facetime and play games and watch videos on. She's hooked.

The learning will take some time but once she gets it, it'll be worth it.

I've no personal experience, but, everything I've read has suggested seniors have an easier time with iPhones than Android phones ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I think an I-phone along with some time well spent showing her how to use it would be the best option.
I'd consider a used version of one of the larger screen types too.

I have the iPhone SE 2nd generation. It works just fine everywhere. One thing I really like is it still has the little round HOME button. My wife's iPhone is newer and has no button. I find it very frustrating to have to swipe this way or that way, and I am not a fan of the facial ID.

My mother is 92, still totally sharp, and won't switch from the Android ecosystem. She is constantly complaining about it not working right or not being intuitive. She also runs Windows on her PC and has the same kinds of complaints.

Meanwhile, as you know, the Apple ecosystem just works. No fiddling with settings, no compatibility issues.

The SE has the lightning connector and it will also recharge wirelessly. It would be easy for her to keep it on a wireless charging dock.

The first time I got a "smart phone" was an early android, and I had to ask my teen daughter how to make a phone call on it! So you should expect your mother-in-law to need a little time and guidance on using the smart phone.

One big caution: be sure she does not do anything like banking or online purchasing with her phone. It is a portal to elder abuse and scammers. My mentally disabled sister has nearly been the victim a couple of times when a supposed concerned new friend talked her into getting a smart phone and then helped her get her online banking on it.

If she loses her phone it could be used by a thief to access her financial world. If she is savvy with passwords and tech she could password protect the phone, but still there is no reason for her to be doing anything financial on a cell phone.

get her an iPhone and tell her about the fall detection built in, that if she falls and she has it on her, it will call emergency services for her, a life saver for anyone with mobility issues.

We ended up getting my dad who is 85 one, as well as a refurb apple watch, he loves both, uses them daily, once you show her how to make calls, if you use facebook to put up pictures, put that app on, if you don't then start using it for grandkid, dog, family and if you have older kids, they can message her, send pictures of great grandkids, whatever.

You'll be amazed how much she'll use it once family pictures and fall detection become talking points.

I deal with this age group on a daily basis. It depends on your flexibility to learn new things and your current cognitive state. There are plenty of 80 year olds who have no trouble. Interestingly enough there are plenty of folks in early adulthood who have constant trouble. Just go step by step. Start with making a call. Then show her how it saves the number.

Tell her you won the phone in a contest.

Thanks guys. Lots of terrific input, I really appreciate it.

The wife is willing to spend the time with her Mom to get her comfortable with an iPhone. Naturally, she would start out slow - just making and answering calls.

As for the price, in thinking about it some more, I'm more than willing to just buy it for her. She is a wonderful lady and I would do anything for her. We have a running joke: Every time I do something for her, she wants to pay me. I always say "Why don't you let me marry your daughter instead?" She just laughs and smiles.

Thanks again for taking the time to reply.

Will not work. MIL is too aged. Mine is as well. There is a huge barrier of understanding in the generation. Yes many can use, but trouble with a jitterbug is a sign of cognition concern.

My Mom is about to turn 93 and 2 years ago we transitioned her to an iPhone and an iPad. It took a few months but she really likes the ability to FaceTime with us that are not close to her.
We loaded her address book for her with family and friends so that when her phone rings she already knows who is on the other end. If the phone doesn’t recognize the number she just presses the leave a message button so she won’t get bamboozled into anything. So far, so good.

quote:

Will not work. MIL is too aged. Mine is as well. There is a huge barrier of understanding in the generation. Yes many can use, but trouble with a jitterbug is a sign of cognition concern.

During COVID nursing staff successfully taught nursing home residents how to communicate with their loved ones using an Ipad. As I said earlier I deal with octogenerians on a daily basis using I phones and have no trouble whatsoever.

Set up her iCloud account (not yours), passwords, unlock codes, Face ID, etc. and keep record of it all in your possession. Use iCloud backup. If she starts diddling with the settings she can accidentally make an iPhone difficult to use. Maybe the child proof settings can be used to limit how deep she can go.
Go through the accessibility settings and get the icons and text appropriately sized. Go over touch and tap settings if need be.
Consider not using the side buttons for ringer volume as it is easy for oldsters to an accidentally mute the ring.
Coach her on Siri so she understands how useful it is.

quote:

Originally posted by smlsig:

We loaded her address book for her with family and friends so that when her phone rings she already knows who is on the other end. If the phone doesn’t recognize the number she just presses the leave a message button so she won’t get bamboozled into anything. So far, so good.

This is exactly what I've been telling my mother-in-law. Like a lot of seniors, she gets bombarded with spam calls. With an iPhone, we can set up her contact list with photos of all her friends, children, and grandchildren so she will see their face on the display and know who's calling. Plus, I can turn on the 'mute unknown caller' setting so that they will be sent to voicemail.

quote:

Originally posted by jed7s9b:
Set up her iCloud account (not yours), passwords, unlock codes, Face ID, etc. and keep record of it all in your possession. Use iCloud backup. If she starts diddling with the settings she can accidentally make an iPhone difficult to use. Maybe the child proof settings can be used to limit how deep she can go.
Go through the accessibility settings and get the icons and text appropriately sized. Go over touch and tap settings if need be.
Consider not using the side buttons for ringer volume as it is easy for oldsters to an accidentally mute the ring.
Coach her on Siri so she understands how useful it is.

Great suggestions!

Thanks everyone for your input.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:

I deal with octogenerians on a daily basis

Me too.

My Mom is now 86, even a few years ago, her ability and desire to learn new phone technology was close to nil.

Another relative bought her an iPhone a few years ago, eventually they took it back & gave her a flipper.

They also got rid of the Internet, because they never used it.

Yes, may be a more extreme comparison, not all shun the technology.

quote:

Originally posted by CoolRich59:


She isn't interested in any smartphone features

She told you right there what she wants and needs...

They still do make plain old cell phones that just makes calls I think?

I think a smartphone will just lead to endless frustration for her.

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:

quote:

Originally posted by CoolRich59:


She isn't interested in any smartphone features

She told you right there what she wants and needs...

They still do make plain old cell phones that just makes calls I think?

I think a smartphone will just lead to endless frustration for her.

Well, we've tried two different flip phones that have not worked out. My thinking is not to convert her to a smartphone, but to see if the more user friendly features of an iPhone will make it easier for her to make and receive calls.

quote:

Originally posted by CoolRich59:
She isn't interested in any smartphone features

IIRC she's never had one, so it may or may not work, watch WOOT for refurb Iphones, the have them all the time and you can get a deal.

Also as far as flip vs iPhone, if you don't add a ton of apps, delete the ones she'll never use, combine those you need to operate it such as the System into a Utilities group, ie make it very few apps, then she may like it. Find something she likes, such as TMZ, if that's her bag then put the TMZ app on it, bet you she'll figure that one out fast once it's open and she's reading the latest Hollywood gossip anytime she wants.

Just make it a simple Phone with calling, once she's comfortable step it up to Facetime, Facebook, and keep it simple, don't do it all at once it can be confusing to many people regardless of age.

Put the contacts in, block spam calls, and off you go. Don't do internet, instagram, facebook, and all the other stuff, that you can add later.

Baby Octogenarian Steps

quote:

Originally posted by CoolRich59:

Well, we've tried two different flip phones that have not worked out. My thinking is not to convert her to a smartphone, but to see if the more user friendly features of an iPhone will make it easier for her to make and receive calls.

Maybe something like this then?

Keep it super simple:

quote:

The RAZ Memory Cell Phone is a simple, groundbreaking cell phone for people with memory loss, dementia, Alzheimer’s or seniors who prefer a simple experience. The phone allows seniors to stay connected with friends and family. The RAZ Memory Cell Phone now supports video calls!

This version of the RAZ Memory Cell Phone is unlocked and compatible with all wireless providers including Verizon, AT&T, Consumer Wireless, T-Mobile, Cricket Wireless, Mint Mobile, Straight Talk, Red Pocket Mobile, and TracFone. It is also compatible with Canadian providers.

The single-touch dial picture phone prioritizes simplicity. It includes only one screen. This single screen includes three elements:

Photos and names of up to six contacts (with an option for up to thirty);
A dedicated button to contact 911 or the alternative RAZ Emergency Service (requires subscription);
The time, remaining battery power, and and signal strength.

RAZ Memory Cell Phone (Verizon, AT&T version)

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:

Maybe something like this then?

Keep it super simple:

This looks like a great option. I have not seen this before, but will look into it.

Thanks PASig!