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My MIL has Alzheimers and it’s still able to live independently at this time. She has an LG smart phone but will soon need a new cellphone because this one is on its last leg. The dilemma. is, she only remembers how to use this phone and it was a doozy teaching her how to use it 4 years ago. She is also starting to fall for clicking on scam text links. She had been really good about not clicking links up until recently.



We’re trying to find a basic smart phone, but not one that is restricted to only making/receiving phone calls to set contacts like this one. (https://www.alzstore.com/RAZ-Memory-Cell-Phone-for-Seniors-All-Carriers-p/0039-v.htm)



Ideally, we would like something that, whether with the settings or parental controls, she can only receive calls and text from her contacts and vice versa plus basic smart phone features. She is very dependent on the alarms she has set up. She still likes to Google things and watch YouTube. We’re not concerned about her Internet browsing/purchasing as she does not have access to her debit card or bank info. We make sure she has anything she ever needs.



Basically, what’s the most simple smart phone with all the basic features with contact only call and texting?

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I transitioned my 95-yr old Mom from a flip phone to a RAZ this spring. It is controlled by the caregiver by an app on their phone. There is no texting function and the approved contacts buttons are the photos of those people. It is a large phone, so not pocket-friendly. The caregiver can control if the keyboard function works or not, so that the use can type in a phone number that's not in their contacts. There's no data plan and you add it to your or the user's phone plan as a device.

I ordered a $12 runner's neoprene phone belt on amazon so she can have it on her and access it easier when she's out in her yard gardening. In the past she has twice fallen and because she was able to get to her phone, it was only a minor incident.

I also gave my Mom my iPad that has games on it. Also no data plan. If you allow someone with ALZ to browse the internet you are asking for trouble. There's a lot of disgusting stuff that one can accidentally click on. Dark, negative, scary things that someone with ALZ does not need to ever be exposed to. Not worth the risk, IMHO.
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Hrbowman Jun 26, 2024
Thanks for the info! We’ll definitely look into it for the future.

Her progression is currently slow and has been fairly stable for the past two years so we’re not quite ready to remove her internet access as she loves to look up info about musicians, actors, birds, and flowers. We try to allow for as much freedom and independence as we can while keeping her safe. We take things day by day and take care of issue as they arise.

We would like to keep texting as we all texts back and forth daily. Having the text records has been great because she can refer back to know if she already asked for something or we answered a question, etc.
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Hrbowman: You can try a RAZ phone, but bear in mind that any smartphone is going to be challenging for an individual suffering from Alzheimer's.
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Reply to Llamalover47
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I just set my mom’s iPhone to the “assistive access” setting. It’s in setting under accessibility. You can choose what apps are on the Home Screen. I did it because my mom was overwhelmed and confused by all the apps that come with the phone. For instance on her phone I put the call app, text app, photos, camera and contacts. I set it up so family and close friends are on the call app and people she talks to less often are in contacts. You could add you tube and google and whatever apps you want. The apps are larger too. My mom loves it.
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Reply to Beth06
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In my personal experience with elders on their cognitive impairment journeys, managing their devices and contacts seems to be the first thing to go. You will need to get her a smart phone where you have Parental Control abilities. She needs to be kept off all social media and YouTube. Many websites have ads that are clickbait and IDK how you will prevent her from going there even if she can't buy anything, if she remembers her SSN and gives this out or basic info then someone may be able to take out a loan in her name (so consider freezing her credit).

I know it feels hard and sad but I would come up with something else, like an iPad with no internet but lots of games and maybe movies and documentaries about the things she loves. If she has ALZ then she will be able to watch them over and over (my Aunt did this). This will be a lot less work and stress than having to monitor her online activity and finding lots of porn and other inappropriate stuff in her browsing history. Once she goes to that type of site, then she will be flooded with all sorts of pop-ups and ads of similar content.
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Check out a Grandpad through Consumer Cellular. It worked great for my mom, was affordable and has many great features.
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Reply to Animalpal
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A GoogleFi phone and plan? It uses the T-Mobile network.

https://support.google.com/fi/answer/12982560?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid
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I’m interested in this question too. I’ve not found parental controls to work so well with my kids but maybe with dementia, the limit setting would work better.

Does anyone know if there’s a wiki somewhere with great tips for configuring a phone for someone with early dementia?
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Reply to redmustardseed
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Hello, my 70yo husband was diagnosed with dementia 2 years ago. He's a pretty mellow guy so far, but his ability to navigate and troubleshoot on his phone can make him very angry! It is one of his last links to independence so we are looking for the same type of phone for him. One that is basic but a little more versatile than just a flip phone. If I find one, I will post it here. Also, look forward to readers replies.
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