The problem with most mobile phones is that they aren’t actually that easy to learn how to use. A basic phone requires you to input a number then press call, or to navigate saved numbers. If a person is familiar with this, it may work, but it would be too complicated. You can get some good basic smart phones, but if a person is not familiar with swiping the screen, it may be difficult for them to learn to use.
As mentioned in a previous post, I bought my dad a simple mobile phone, the Doro 580, a while ago. Unfortunately he had refused to take it with him as he could not see the point. The phone took a 2g or 3g sim, neither of which are supported in the UK any longer, so I discovered that the phone is now unuseable. There is a more up to date version which we may purchase in the future so I thought I would share it here.
The new version of the Doro 580 is the Doro Leva X10. It runs on 4g. It is the simplest mobile phone I have come across and has the benefit of GPS which may be helpful to locate a person if needed. My crisicism with the phone is that buttons are labelled A to D with a space next to each button to write names. Although this may seem simple, it would be better if you could press the name rather than the button next to it, as it is not necessarily intuitive. You also need to press the green button to connect the call. Having two two steps may be too complicated for some people, but I can see why it is needed, otherwise it would be too neasy to make accidental calls. There is an app which goes along with the phone. I haven’t investigated this, as we haven’t yet purchased this phone, but I think the app can be used for location tracking. The other feature of the phone which I like is the SOS button on the back which the person can use to get help in an emergency.
The Dementia Diaries:Tales from an unprepared carer 
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