Easy phones to use
This question is from Facebook.
My Mum had a stroke earlier in the year and her iPhone is now becoming difficult for her to manage. It became difficult to contact her when she has accidentally adjusted the settings. Does anyone have any other suggestions of mobile phone models which are easier to manage? Mostly just for making and receiving phone calls and the occasional text message. Thanks in advance!
Answers:
Have a look at Olitech. They have a range of phones which may suit.
My father was much the same. I got him a Nokia with buttons. He is quite happy with it and how easy it is to use. There is many different styles with larger buttons at Australia post.
Look at the accessibility settings in the settings app, there might be some settings to adjust to make it easier. There’s also parental controls to block off some features entirely if that’s needed. You can also introduce her to Siri, you can enable it in settings so if you hold the home button or say hey Siri, she will appear and can text and call people via voice
Dad has this phone (Telstra Easycall) and I’ve set up our numbers on speed dial. I got a label machine to put our initials on the speed dial number. I’ve also written down our phone numbers for him to keep in our wallet. His OT also gave some cards for his wallet, explaining that his had a stroke and other medical conditions.
We bought my wife a larger format phone, we are samsung-ers so went for a Note and maximised the size of everything and only had a few apps that sat on the home screen.
I had an I Phone before I had my strokes, and while I only use relatively basic features, I’ve been comfortable with it. I have tried other brands, and had real difficulty managing them. Perhaps an Apple shop or an Apple dealer can assist adjusting settings to make it easier.
There is a KISS phone but it has limited numbers as it uses a photo for contact
Apple have lots of ways to make their devices more friendly for people to use. This article provides a starting point that may be helpful! https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.imore.com/accessibility-iphone-ipad%3famp?fbclid=IwAR3TTDD9JOvXiYlLr7L_DNyjz0zorS9KwLnGUMg_67FFxj1G5gP1avP1EUQ
Good luck!
I got my dad an iPhone 8 Plus so larger screen and has a home button so easier to navigate than Face ID etc. accessibility features are also great. You can also hide all other apps in a folder and put the main apps in the dock so no confusion.
Try the oppo phones. They have the option of simple mode which makes and receives calls and texts.
I bought a touch button flip phone for $100 from Australia Post for my 92 year old father ..... he is delighted with how easy it is to use .
I have had a stroke as well..And I had problems swiping..I got a Samsung. Which has the settings for people who have problems with Dexerter
Olitech Easy Mate and KISA are great models!
https://www.olitech.com.au/easy-mate
Vision Australia has a good range including the Olitech mentioned: https://shop.visionaustralia.org/shop/in-department/departments/phones-home-and-mobile?page=0&fbclid=IwAR3TTDD9JOvXiYlLr7L_DNyjz0zorS9KwLnGUMg_67FFxj1G5gP1avP1EUQ
What I did for my brother after his stroke that has him left-side paralysed and awkward with his right hand - was to get the newer larger iPhone, then go to SETTINGS> Accessibility. Together we agreed on how this section would be configured based on his capabilities. For him, he now only uses SIRI voice commands. To this end, I cleaned up his contacts so that when he uses the names in the way he remembers, the phone auto dials, or answers. Eg: "Call Sister" or "Call Chris"- that goes to me and my phone rings. It took some practice but he got the gist of it. I also got a voice speaker (google). This made a big difference. Hope this helps.
This a good option that has been used by some past clients of mine.