A lot of emphasis is placed on cell phones and cell phone services for the business user, the harried mom, and even for kids; however, very little attention is paid to the need that seniors have for a cell phone. Seniors are definitely not going to be the target audience if wireless carriers market their products as ?cool, stylish, and trendy!? While having a need for a cell phone, seniors are most likely going to be put off by phones and plans that offer excessive features; features they have no need or desire for. The inclination then, by seniors, is to rather just avoid shopping for and buying a cell phone.



Several companies have seen the gap in the market and have stepped forward to provide not only mobile phones specifically designed for seniors, but also voice call plans that have exactly what senior consumers may be looking for.

There are many reasons a senior citizen has a need for a reliable cell phone.

Safety! Safety should be at the forefront of everyone's mind when they are considering a cell phone. Senior citizens in 2008 are independent, on the go, on the move, and have active social lives; however, as is the case with all of us, the need to be able to communicate with someone in an emergency is vital! Breakdowns in the car, an accident, or even an incident in the yard are all reasons that any of us have reason to call for assistance. Seniors need to be able to reach help just like all of us, especially in the case of a medical emergency.

Features That Appeal To Senior Consumers

Ease Of Use And A Simple Interface - So many of the cell phones on the market today are designed for people who have the need to integrate many technologies; including email and the ability to browse the internet. This often can make them bulky and difficult to figure out, even for the savviest of cell phone users! Seniors today are more technology savvy, granted, but they do not necessarily have the need to access email or the internet from their cell phone; their needs will extend more towards a basic, functional cell phone that incorporates voice, text, and possibly a camera.

Affordability - All of us are on tighter budgets these days; however, a retired senior citizen is likely to be on a fixed income and cannot deviate much from a strict budget. An affordable, or even prepaid, plan that focuses on low rates per minute is very appealing to a person on a strict fixed budget.

Bright Screen - No one likes to talk about the fact that our vision tends to decline with age; however, a large brightly lit display with large text can be a great asset to a senior user.

A few companies, like Jitterbug, have stepped up to the plate and now offer not only phones to meet the needs of seniors, but also offer a phone that can customize the buttons for convenience and ease of use. Their calling plans are affordable, customizable and can help provide peace of mind to family members of seniors who live on their own.