A man is standing at a counter with his older adult mother, showing her a smartphone. They are smiling, and she has her hand on his shoulder. There is a pizza and some glasses in front of them.
Although many older adults these days have cell phones, some may be reluctant to get one. Still, they offer many benefits that could enhance their quality of life. Here are a few signs that your senior parent might need a cell phone. Photo Credit: iStock.com/milan2099

Having a cell phone can make life easier, yet many seniors remain hesitant to get one. From not wanting to learn new technology to worrying about physical limitations, there are many reasons your parent might be resistant to getting a cell phone. In some cases, it might be fine for them to forgo having a cell phone, but there are many situations in which having one could enhance their life. Here are a few indications that your senior parent could benefit from getting a cell phone.

They are socially isolated from friends and family

Having a cell phone can be a great way to stay in touch with friends and family. Cell phones can be especially vital if your parent wants to stay in touch with grandchildren and other young friends or family members who prefer communicating through text messages.

Being able to call a family member or a friend to meet up while you’re out and about is handy, but staying in touch in the 21st century means more than just phone calls and text messages. With a cell phone, senior parents can receive family pictures in an instant, while grandkids will enjoy sending heartwarming or funny videos to their grandparent, all of which can promote feelings of connection.

It is increasingly difficult to manage health details

Having a cell phone can make it easier for your parent to manage their personal health. Having a cell phone allows them to:

  • Put members of their care team on speed dial so they can call with the press of a button.
  • Stay in touch with medical professionals by downloading the health care app associated with the clinic where they receive care.
  • Create a medical ID with vital information that anyone can access on the home screen in an emergency.
  • Access telehealth services so they can talk to a doctor or therapist from their phone.
  • Download a medication reminder app.
  • Use a fitness app to remain flexible, mobile, and in shape.

They’re worried about staying mentally sharp

Having a cell phone can also support mental well-being. There are many apps that can support their cognition, like the following:

  • Lumosity offers daily mind exercises and games that are backed by science to improve memory, processing speed, and problem-solving.
  • Wordscapes is perfect for those who like to do crossword puzzles and word searches.
  • BrainHQ features dozens of online exercises that target specific skills, such as attention, intelligence, people skills, and more.
  • Elevate offers brain-training games and allows you to track your performance over time, adjusting the program to your skill level as it evolves.

Apps are a great way to maintain mental well-being, but cell phones can also support broader learning and personal development. Your parent can use the internet on their phone to read articles, watch local news, and research the things that interest them.

TV and radio don’t keep them locally informed

Having a cell phone is an effective way to receive important warnings and notifications, like weather and environmental alerts. For things like tornado warnings, blizzard warnings, wildfire evacuation notices, and more, an alarm will sound, and a message will flash on the screen.

Most phones are also enabled with Wireless Emergency Alerts, such as AMBER alerts, public safety alerts, boil water notices, and imminent threat alerts.

You can also install specific apps and receive:

  • Neighborhood crime and safety alerts with Citizen.
  • Power outage notifications from your utility provider.
  • Road closure alerts and other navigation warnings.

They may need emergency help when out of reach of a landline phone

A cell phone can ensure that your parent gets help in the event of an emergency. If they have an accident at home or while they’re out and about, they can call 911, a family member, or a neighbor.

You can even find cell phones specially designed to ensure seniors can get help when they need it. For example, Lively offers Jitterbug cell phones designed specifically for older adults with dedicated emergency buttons. Push the button, and your loved one will automatically be connected with an Urgent Response Agent.

There are also several cell phone accessories and apps designed to ensure your loved one can always receive help in an emergency. Here are just a few:

Keeping up with finances has become more difficult

Banking apps make it easy for your parent to track their expenses in real time. Here are a few other apps that can help your loved one stay on top of their finances:

  • Keep track of money, get access to a financial planner, and give access to a trusted loved one with Monarch.
  • Create savings goals and access all accounts in one place with Quicken.
  • Use Rocket Money to track net worth and get easy access to bill negotiation and subscription cancellation services.
  • Platforms like Fidelity and E*TRADE have apps that track investments.

Find a cell phone that works for your loved one and your family

Having a cell phone can enhance your loved one’s life, but it can also bring you peace of mind. Talk to your parent about what features they might want in a cell phone. Then, browse the best cell phone providers for seniors to find the one that fits your needs and your budget.