Phones for every disability

Posted By Maryann Porosky On MAY 01,2018

Staying in touch with friends and relatives does a world of good for older adults. This is especially true for those who live alone.

The ability to easily reach out is important for well-being. And it can make a life or death difference in emergencies. Some of the common limitations of aging, however, can make standard telephones difficult to use. Fortunately, special features are available that compensate for disabilities. Below are some examples.

Hearing difficulties

Alerts for incoming calls. Displays flashing lights to indicate an incoming call. At nighttime, a vibrational device can be put under the pillow.
Amplified speech. Many phones can boost the sound coming through the earpiece. Some can even send the audio directly to hearing aids.
Call captioning. This service types out the caller's words on a small display screen. TTY service is similar, sending the text to a "real time" printer in the home. You may need a special (free) service to "translate" if one person on the call has a captioning device and the other does not.

Problems with vision

Large-button display. Big numbers are easier to see and accurately tap.
Programmable memory. Allows for preentering commonly dialed numbers.
Photo-dial. The buttons display images of people or places that are called frequently. The phone numbers must be preentered.
Talking keypad. Announces each numeral as it is dialed.
Voice–activated dialing/answering. A hands-free, high-tech option. As more houses become "smart," this may prove useful for many common disabilities.

Other medical or memory issues
Conditions that affect dexterity, such as arthritis or the aftereffects of a stroke, can make it difficult to operate a standard telephone. Alzheimer's and other memory loss conditions can also make the process of dialing a challenge. Many of the options listed above—coupled with training until the skill is mastered—can be useful for people with these limitations.

Many free services
There are certainly lots of options. So many it can be overwhelming! At Caring Choices we can help you identify which ones make the most sense for your relative. As the northern New Jersey expert in family caregiving, we also know about free programs and services to remove any costs associated with a new phone. Give us a call at 973-627-4087 and let our experience go to work for you.