Around 94% of older adults in the United States have a cellphone, according to Pew Research, including 79% who own a smartphone. This growing trend shows that many seniors are embracing technology, but smartphones can often be difficult to navigate.
With their many features and small screens, it’s easy for older users to feel overwhelmed. Customizing a smartphone to better suit their needs can make a big difference in how comfortable and confident they feel using the device.
In this blog post, we’ll explore simple steps on how to customize a new smartphone for elders, making it easier for seniors to stay connected and enjoy all the benefits a smartphone has to offer. Let’s get started with these smartphone accessibility tips.
Choose the Right Phone and Plan
Choosing the right smartphone for an elder is the first step in creating a user-friendly experience. You should look for a phone with a large screen, high-contrast display, and loudspeakers to make it easier for them to see and hear. Some smartphones offer “senior” models designed specifically with simplicity in mind, featuring:
- Larger buttons
- Fewer apps
- More intuitive interfaces
When selecting a plan, consider one that is easy to manage and cost-effective. A plan that focuses on calls and minimal data usage can be a good choice.
Some carriers offer senior discounts or simplified plans, which can help lower monthly costs while still providing the necessary services. Try to make sure the phone and plan meet their communication needs without overwhelming them.
Initial Setup: Make it Simple
The initial setup of a new smartphone is a crucial step in making it easy to use. You can start by setting up the phone with a simple and memorable password or PIN, making sure it’s something the elder can easily remember. If the phone supports facial recognition or fingerprint scanning, enabling these features can also add convenience and security.
Next, connect the phone to a Wi-Fi network, which ensures smoother performance and helps avoid unexpected data charges. It’s also important to enable automatic updates for both the system and apps.
This way, the phone will always have the latest features and security patches without requiring manual intervention, keeping it simple and secure for regular use.
Our team at TerraBella Summit is here to help our residents if they have any questions or doubts about how to use their cellphone or smartphone.
Organize the Home Screen
A clean and simple home screen makes a smartphone much easier to use for seniors. For this, you can place only the most essential apps on the main screen, such as:
- Phone calls
- Text messages
- Camera
You can also enlarge icons or use simpler layouts, which can be adjusted in the settings, making the apps easier to tap and more visually clear. Many smartphones allow you to group similar apps together, like social media or entertainment apps, into folders.
This helps keep things organized and ensures that the home screen remains straightforward, allowing the user to easily find what they need without distraction.
Senior-Friendly Phone Settings
Next, in the elderly smartphone customization process, making the smartphone more visible and accessible is key to ensuring seniors can use it comfortably. The starting point here is to adjust the font size and display settings. Many phones allow you to increase the font size, making text easier to read.
You can also enlarge icons and buttons so they’re easier to tap without mistakes. Increasing the screen contrast or switching to high-contrast mode can further help make everything clearer, especially for those with vision impairments.
Another useful feature is enabling the “Easy Mode” or simplified interface, available on many smartphones. This reduces the complexity of the interface by limiting the number of icons and simplifying navigation.
Voice commands and text-to-speech features can be activated as well. These options allow seniors to control the phone hands-free and have messages read aloud to them, which is especially helpful for those with limited dexterity or vision.
Additionally, turning on magnification gestures, where users can zoom in by tapping the screen multiple times, can provide extra help when reading smaller text or examining images.
Set Up Communication Apps
One of the most important features of a smartphone for seniors is staying connected with family and friends. As such, setting up communication apps like WhatsApp, Skype, or Zoom can help bridge the gap between them and their loved ones. These apps are user-friendly and offer video calling, voice messaging, and text messaging, all of which are great ways for seniors to keep in touch.
To make these apps easy to access, you can add their icons to the home screen or even place them in a prominent folder labeled “Communication,” for example. Be sure to set up contacts ahead of time by saving family members and close friends as favorites so they are easy to find and call.
You should take some time to teach seniors how to use these apps with simple, step-by-step instructions, emphasizing the features they’ll use most, like video calling or sending voice messages.
Add Other Useful Apps
In addition to communication apps, there are several other apps that can enhance a senior’s smartphone experience. For example, setting up apps for reminders, such as medication schedules or doctor appointments, can help them stay organized. Apps like Google Calendar or Medisafe allow for easy scheduling and notifications, ensuring important tasks aren’t forgotten.
Weather apps are also valuable, as they help seniors stay informed about current conditions and prepare for the day ahead. Simple, easy-to-read apps like The Weather Channel or AccuWeather provide clear and accessible forecasts.
For entertainment and mental engagement, you can consider adding games or reading apps. Simple puzzle games, like Sudoku or crossword apps, can also help keep their mind sharp.
Customize a New Smartphone for Elders
The bottom line is that when you customize a new smartphone for elders, you can significantly improve their ability to stay connected and manage daily tasks with ease. By making these simple adjustments, you can enhance their smartphone experience.
At TerraBella Summit, a senior living community in Greenville, SC, we’re dedicated to supporting seniors in all aspects of life, including technology. If you’d like to learn more about how we can help your loved one thrive in a supportive and engaging environment, contact us today.
