Senior Citizen Friendly Cell Phones: Is the Jitterbug Worth the Money?
Obviously a price can't be put on the ability to keep in touch with loved ones with the touch of a button, but when there's such a wide open selection as there are with cellular phones, then there is a price for quality.
Simply by looking at the phone and the keypad it's obvious that it was designed to cater towards senior citizens with seeing problems. The numbers are displayed on a large keypad and the font is large as well; large enough to merit skipping the use of reading glasses in many cases. The Jitterbug series features a pair of phones that both exist on the bulky side, but when it comes down to it the phone was designed with the purpose of making calls, not to aesthetically please.
When it comes to quality the Jitterbug is actually clearer than many top of the line cellular phones that are currently on the market. Sound is crisp, clear and loud (though adjustable if it gets too loud for you) which fits perfectly into the needs of anyone who's thinking about buying it. It also features a loud speakerphone, and the ability to store up to fifty different phone numbers with several already built in as per request.
You won't find a Jitterbug in a Verizon Wireless or Cingular store because it isn't a product of one of the large carriers. Rather, buying a jitterbug consists of ordering it from Great Call. While ordering your jitterbug you'll have the choice of having certain phone numbers already preprogrammed into the phone in order to save you the time and effort of doing it yourself.
If you're looking for a way to keep in touch with family or simply use for emergencies then the Jitterbug is definitely the way to go. The phones both cost $147 and have plans of up to 300 minutes per month. On the other hand, if you're a savvy senior citizen that likes to keep in touch with friends and family as much as possible, then you're definitely better off with buying a prepaid phone that doesn't come with the limitations.
Published by Rashawn Blanchard
Some people dance, some people sing. I write. To me, there's nothing quite like the written word whether it's fiction or the latest sprawling headline in the news. Thing to Improve Upon: Proofing Content View profile
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22 Comments
Post a CommentWe never tried Jitterbug, but we did know that my grandma needed a phone...so we did some research. Even though we did hear good things about Jitterbug, we found that TracFone recently came out with a prepaid cell phone for the elderly – SVC. They are now catering to every age group and type of talker! Good job, TracFone.
I agree that this phone is OK but the senior value [hone is far better. It also provides emergency service when need for no extra charge. Take a look http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiiMd2OIkdc
I looked at all the phones to get one for my mother and settled on the SVC from Tracfone as I wanted the 911 emergency location assist. She loves it and the big, easy to push buttons, louder sound and large text on a backlit screen make it so easy to use and it only cost $14.99 from K-Mart. Service is $7.00 a month so it's a steal!
Some cell phones have great features and theres no question about that. However, I prefer Just5 mobile phone which is proven to be a very effective communication device for me and my 80-year-old Mom. We can all use the Just5 mobile phones without glasses because it has big buttons and the simple features. This phone is featured at www.just5.com so better see the site if you want to have one.
Before I decided on the Senior Value cell phone from Tracfone I shopped around. I was surprised to find as many carriers with senior phones as there are. Still, I found Tracfone to be the cheapest - both the phone and the service. Phones start at under $20. I got a Samsung T155 with senior features such as big lighted screen and big keys, plus hearing aid compatibility and 911 emergency assist. All great features for the price. I pay $19.99 monthly for service which includes international calls for the same price as a local call. Jitterbug may have a good reputation, but it's on the pricey side.
I can't believe for all that it boasts that AT&T does not make a senior friendly phone. How difficult would it be to make a phone with big numbers and keys that are easy to handle for people who have arthritis. It's entire demographic is not 20 year olds who text. I have been a customer for a long time, but I am extremely disappointed.
My Dad turned 84 and despite loving computers & gadgets his dementia made using his regular cell phone impossible. He loved the simplicity of the Jitterbug, but the sound quality/connection doesn't work where he is at. Another person down the hall in the same nursing home uses one and it works well in their room... bummer it doesn't work well in his. Well, we might keep it as he is in and out of the hospital regularly... but bummer that the service doesn't work. He had Sprint & AT&T phones that worked where he lives. He's outside of Tallahassee, FL. I sure wish AT&T would offer one of these, they sure are losing out on customers...
We have a family plan with AT&T. My wife, son, and I have phones and my share of the cost is $14 per month, no complaint there.
Three things I don't like about cell phones.
1. You sign a 2 year agreement but they only guarantee the phones for 1 year.
2. When you have a problem with your phone,
you can't return it to the store. Have to do the 800 number thingy.
3. I just need a simple vell phone, not one with a camera and all the flashy goodies. A jitterbug would be perfect for my needs but AT&T doesn't offer anything close.
Rotten tomatoes
It would be indeed worth the money, should it work in your area. We are I guess still in the woods, cause mine that I got my Dad would not work here where we are, but At&T does?
can't we get something done about this? can't we get cell service in absolutely EVERY area?
I just ordered a Jitterbug I ordered for my elderly father....and I just returned it as well....the look and simplicity would have been great, had it worked here where we live. that is all we wanted it for, hardly ever to even be used, and I see now we have not many choices...At&t, here we come again!