It’s getting more and more common for older folks to own a smartphone. But as phones improve with the times, it may be harder for our elderly parents to learn the high-tech kinds of stuff. Seemingly easy things like how to use WhatsApp or Facebook, enlarging the font size, or adjusting the screen’s brightness may be unknown to our parents. Some may even need help to figure the fastest way to connect to the Wi-Fi or access the camera. If you’re buying a smartphone for your elderly parents, allow us to share with you some aspects to examine and tips to make the device more user-friendly.
Think About the User Experience
When talking about user experience, you will quickly realize how things you used to like in your 20s change when you hit your late 30s and beyond. Similarly, your elderly parents will probably find the efficiency and ease of use distinctive for different phones.
A broad way to view this is to group them into Android’s and Apple’s iOS operating systems. The former allows the user to make tweaks more experientially according to one’s likes and purposes. However, the latter has an ecosystem that is somehow quite fixed. If Android’s the answer, then you would have more phone options to choose from, including a variety of affordable phone brands.
Consider the Size, Price, and Storage
While pondering over the physical dimensions of a phone, it would make sense to have a smartphone with a wider screen. But it all goes down to personal preference because some elderly may fancy a smaller phone for better grip.
Next, the price should be on your watchlist. You don’t want to be buying a very expensive phone just for your parents to use the basic functions. Save that few hundred dollars and park them somewhere else better.
Storage space is also a crucial factor to consider. You will most likely agree that older folks don’t really know how to clear out storage space from their phones. It’s advisable to buy a phone with maximum storage so they are guaranteed enough capacity for all sorts of downloads.
Minimize the Home Screen Apps and Tap on Shortcuts
Most people don’t like to live with clutter. You don’t want your old folks to face a messy interface with apps that they don’t regularly use taking up the entire front page of their home screen. To streamline the user experience, place frequently used apps right up on the first page of the home screen. You can also teach your parents how to uninstall unwanted apps and reinstall apps they’ve deleted by mistake.
If there are too many apps over time, you can create shortcuts so your parents can quickly access their favorite apps or reach a loved one via a tap or swipe. While some customizations are required on the Android operating system, Apple phone users can take advantage of the search button (by swiping to the right on the home screen) to instantly look for apps.
Getting a smartphone for your elderly parents can help them stay connected in this world. But it’s essential to choose the right one. Consider the above tips and aspects before you swipe that card or check out online for that big purchase.
