Tips For Senior Smartphone Users

I remember when having a smartphone meant that you were cool, hip, and on the cutting edge, now it just means you are in the extreme majority of cell phone owners. Senior smartphone usage is up and I like to pick on my mom a little bit because she has some tech issues (she still needs help setting the microwave clock) and now she has an iPhone!

If there is one person who may need even more help, it’s my father-in-law, and guess what, he has an iPhone too. They both have some room for improvement in the tech department. Maybe we can help them out with some of these tips for senior smartphone users.

Everyone has a smartphone now therefore, I thought it would be nice to share a couple of tips for how a smartphone can work best with our senior smartphone using loved ones, or those that have been around longer for us to love them as parents and grandparents (I am so gonna get yelled at by about 5 people for these comments).

Here are some of my favorite senior smartphone tips for those with a couple of more years under their belt (and for everyone else too!):

• Use Your Camera As Your Memory

  • Where did you park?
  • What did I want to buy for grandkid #3 for Christmas?
  • What did I need to buy at the grocery store?

Whatever it is, simply take a picture of it – the parking lot level, presents, grocery lists, it is a breeze to snap pictures with your phone, if your memory fails, simply look at the pictures.

• Video Chat

  This is great, we have lived in a couple of states, and no matter how much you try, you can never see everyone as often as you like, FaceTime, Skype or any video messaging service is a great way to stay in touch with loved ones, and it’s really easy on your phone.

• Voice Recognition and Recording

  My mom always complains about the size of the keys on the keyboard, but loves to text now. She uses the voice recognition and it works great for her, and it is very easy to use. Plus it provides some entertainment because she never reads them before hitting send! Sometimes you have to think about what she is writing, but it’s an awesome for quick communications. A lot of times grandparents have a harder time talking to their grandkids, texting is a main communication means for kids, so this is a great way to communicate. Also, some phones even have an option under messaging to simply record a statement, and share the recorded message – no typing needed.

• Portable GPS 

  This may be a bit advanced, but directions can be easy if you have a smartphone. Another great feature is that you have the ability to set the phone up so that someone (think children of elderly parents and parents of younger kids) can track the location of the phone, great for lost phones, but also great for checking in and making sure they are where they are supposed to be.

• Put All Prescription Info Into The Notes Section

  This is a great one for the phone owner, as well as anyone else who may be helping out. Have you ever been at the doctor’s office and the doctor or nurse asks what medication you are taking? It can be tough to remember all of them. I have all my mom’s prescriptions in my notes section, plus it could be handy in case of an emergency.

• Playing Games

  It seems like retired people have some extra time and like to spend some of it playing games on their phone. Some great games to play are card games, mahjong, trivia and of course . . . Candy Crush.

There are so many things that smartphones are great for. In addition to the basic uses, these are some different ways to make your smartphone work best for you. Many of these may come in handy for you, or for your parent/grandparent who may be a bit on the older side, but still feel like they are 29 years young.

What outside of the box ways do you use your phone which may work for senior smartphone users?