Buying a mobile phone for my 89 year old gran!

[beanbag]

My wee gran has just moved into a home for the elderly and it transpires that crappy BT won't be able to get her line connected for two weeks leaving her completely out of touch of her family!

She's 89 years old so moving on a bit and to keep in touch I'd like to buy her a mobile phone so she doesn't have to worry about BT and so she can keep in touch wherever she is.

Obviously phones from Sony Ericsson, Nokia, etc are useless but I came across this today which looks like it might fit the bill perfectly. It's designed for elderly people but I'd like to know if anyone has bought one for their grandparents / parents and what they think of it? It looks good on paper but often in life, when you get your hands on something, it's not the same.

http://www.silverphone.co.uk/shop/p79/Amplicom-M50...

Since I'm sending it directly to my gran, I'd like to know it's not rubbish first!

Ta!

BB

ETA: Helps to add the link!

Edited by beanbag on Wednesday 3rd March 21:35

[Oldandslow]

My dad has one of these. Swears it's great. He's slightly deaf and needs glasses for close viewing. The big display and loud ringing are great for him. It drives my Mum up the wall though.

http://www.matobmobile.co.uk/index.php?id=binatone...

[Dr.Doofenshmirtz]

Bit expensive...wouldn't an old Nokia 3310 be better?

[beanbag]

Dr.Doofenshmirtz said:

Bit expensive...wouldn't an old Nokia 3310 be better?

Too small and complicated.

The numbers are also very fiddly and it needs to be set-up and sent to her asap. I think (I'll call tomorrow), the company I listed can do this for me and have a Vodafone SIM card inserted and numbers programmed on the three memory buttons.

It also has an SOS button which is handy. She's already fallen over a couple of times and last time she spent some lying on the floor getting cold before my aunt came by to visit her. It would never have happened if she had a mobile with her.

[SDxsi]

Can I have the number please, it's been a while.



'twas only a joke

[Piglet]

That Binatone model looks good, Dad has been struggling to use his "new" phone as it's a bit beyond him (he's off contract so gets our hand downs). I like the idea of the notepad on the back. Dad has a piece of tape with his number written on it!

[beanbag]

SDxsi said:

Can I have the number please, it's been a while.



'twas only a joke

So....so....so....wrong.

If you are that desperate, try this: http://www.dogging.co.uk/ (NSFW or U18!)

P.S. It was shocking to see what Google threw up with the search "dogging UK"!

[beanbag]

Piglet said:

That Binatone model looks good, Dad has been struggling to use his "new" phone as it's a bit beyond him (he's off contract so gets our hand downs). I like the idea of the notepad on the back. Dad has a piece of tape with his number written on it!

Yup, was keen on that. Especially the price, but it looks like there are lots of fiddly bits on it. (Perhaps I'm wrong).

The other phone looks cleaner and more simple.....

It's probably best I call them tomorrow and see what they can offer.

[GTIR]

Only on PH can a thread go from 89 grans to dogging in one foul swoop!

[mrmr96]

I'd get her a PAYG, as contracts tend to have 12 month minimum terms and... well, you know...

(If this comment is considered bad taste I'll remove it. It was intended as a joke. Sorry if offence is caused. Cheers.)

[Simpo Two]

GTIR said:

Only on PH can a thread go from 89 grans to dogging in one foul swoop!

A Freudian 'fell swoop'?

[fergywales]

mrmr96 said:

I'd get her a PAYG, as contracts tend to have 12 month minimum terms and... well, you know...

(If this comment is considered bad taste I'll remove it. It was intended as a joke. Sorry if offence is caused. Cheers.)

Beer meets keyboard, definitely potential for bad taste and offence but still a valid point...

[Morningside]

I think Vodafone done a simple large text mobile but I am struggling to remember its name .. Sagem V.? Something.

Ah, here we go http://www.mobilegazette.com/sagem-vs1-vs2.htm

Dunno if they are still in production? But a friend of mine (late 70s) found no trouble with it.

Edited by Morningside on Wednesday 3rd March 22:57

[koolchris99]

i went shopping with my gran the other day for a mobile. (she is 87)

she has got the nokia one, she found that the easiest to use.

"but in the war, we neve..............."

[okgo]

5110 is pretty large...

[ArtVandelay]

http://www.matobmobile.co.uk/

[SDxsi]

beanbag said:

SDxsi said:

Can I have the number please, it's been a while.



'twas only a joke

So....so....so....wrong.

If you are that desperate, try this: http://www.dogging.co.uk/ (NSFW or U18!)

P.S. It was shocking to see what Google threw up with the search "dogging UK"!

I'm sorry, won't be doing it again. I'll check that site out when I'm near the computer. Thanks

[bholleran]

I bought one of these for my nan.She is registered partly blind anddeaf and she ca use this with ease. Its quite expensive but does what it says on the tin.

http://www.handleeasy.com/index.php?id=doro_phone_...

[Stevenj214]

beanbag said:

It also has an SOS button which is handy. She's already fallen over a couple of times and last time she spent some lying on the floor getting cold before my aunt came by to visit her. It would never have happened if she had a mobile with her.

Was this fall when she had her regular phone? By the looks of that mobile, sitting in it's cradle, she will use it as a regular phone (i.e if she falls, she is unlikely to be close enough to reach it).

Not saying it's not a good alternative to BT, just that a little personal alarm she could wear around her neck, which alerts someone when pressed might actually solve this part of the problem.

[beanbag]

Stevenj214 said:

beanbag said:

It also has an SOS button which is handy. She's already fallen over a couple of times and last time she spent some lying on the floor getting cold before my aunt came by to visit her. It would never have happened if she had a mobile with her.

Was this fall when she had her regular phone? By the looks of that mobile, sitting in it's cradle, she will use it as a regular phone (i.e if she falls, she is unlikely to be close enough to reach it).

Not saying it's not a good alternative to BT, just that a little personal alarm she could wear around her neck, which alerts someone when pressed might actually solve this part of the problem.

I'm not sure if she has one of these or not yet. I just heard she tried to crawl over and reach the land-line but could get to it. The thought of that sounded pretty horrible for me and although it's unlikely to happen now that's she living in a home, it's good to know she might have something when she's out of the house.