Last week, for the first time in my life, I met a man suffering from macular degeneration. Over the course of the past 5 years, he has become increasingly blind and there is nothing that can be done to help him see more clearly. Within a few months or another few years, he will be totally blind. As his sight has worsened, his family has figured out all different ways to help him get around. I had to leave my name and number with him and had to write it in big black letters (at least an inch or more) and he was able to read both. So while he still has some sight, he is functionally blind.
His kids have him equipped with a special cell phone — their numbers on speed dial, huge letters, and a one-touch emergency feature. While I’d certainly heard of these specialty phones (like Jitterbug when it first came out), I’d never really looked at the different options out there. And while I’m not in this market category, at 51, I have just had to upgrade my own smartphone because I’m having trouble reading my emails on the screen without putting on reading glasses. (Yes, I know I can change font size, and have done so…doesn’t work on all aspects of the smartphone.)
As life always does, coincidentally, the next day, I got information from Just5 on their new phone — marketed as a “cellphone with large buttons…and big heart”. Of course, because I try not to ignore coincidence, I had to check it out. They sent me a review phone, so I was able to really check out the features. The website gives a good overview, but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by the packaging — kind of felt like I was opening up a package for my iPod. Simple, cool packaging that mirrors this cool little phone (the phone won a couple of design awards). Yes, the buttons and the numbers are big. It’s lightweight, easy to find in your pocket or purse (a few color choices, but my fave for visibility is the white and RED!)
Now this is not a phone you would use if you are a tech-savvy cell phone or smart phone user, because there are really no bells and whistles. It’s a very basic phone. With a couple of nice to have features, like a flashlight (love it) and built-in FM radio (didn’t love that), but there were a few features that are really very good for the market it caters to — those with trouble seeing or hearing, and also can function as a great starter phone for a kid.
The numbers are big. The volume can be quite loud. And as you press each number it pops out in a much bigger number up on the call screen, so you can easily see if you are making a mistake. You can have assigned speed dials and there is a generous phone book. But the feature I like the best is an SOS emergency button at the back of the phone. Impossible to miss with your fingers. If you don’t have any numbers programmed, it will ring through to 911. If you do have numbers programmed, it will call and keep calling til someone answers and automatically sends text messages to your chosen contacts. If you get voice mail, you can also just press the Talk button to connect to 911. The phone automatically goes to speaker phone when someone answers in case you’ve dropped the phone PLUS an emergency horn sounds to attract the attention of anyone within earshot. All excellent.
The price is comparable with other phones in this category — I find them all a bit on the high side (just over $100 depending upon where you pick it up), and while you can text using this phone, the point of this phone is really just for calling. Plus you are not tied to any carrier. You can pop in your SIM card and it is ready for use.
My grandmother died in 1999. She was blind in her last couple of years and felt quite trapped by her situation. A phone like this certainly didn’t exist then, but if it had, I know it would have been a lifeline for her. I’m sure she would have speed-dialed me and her daughter (my mom) 20 times a day and driven us around the bend, but she would have had the ability to connect with the outside world without having to depend on the kindness of an attendant to make a call for her and to feel secure that she’d be able to reach an emergency contact with ease if she needed to.
Worth taking a look at. For your aging parent. For you. For your kid.
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