4 Smartphone Features That are Perfect for Seniors

Sometimes seniors feel left behind as technology advances, because the technology isn’t always user-friendly for older folks who may have difficulty seeing small screens or learning a bunch of new functions. Smartphones, though, have many features that make life easier for seniors, including keeping you connected to family and friends and giving you extra insights into your health. If you aren’t sure smartphone technology is for you, these four great features might change your mind!

Voice-to-Text

Texting on a smartphone isn’t always easy, especially if you don’t have the skinny, nimble fingers of a twelve-year-old. Smartphone interface options that allow you to enlarge the keyboard and the text on the screen help, but what feature is most helpful for seniors? Voice-to-text. Staying connected to people via Facebook, e-mail, and text message is important for people of all ages, including seniors, and the keyboard on your smartphone doesn’t have to be a barrier to that.

Speaking your text messages and e-mails into your phone makes things much easier on you. Once you get used to dictating punctuation, you’ll find the whole process quite intuitive. Plus, most smartphone interfaces also take dictated commands. You can ask your phone to set an alarm, give you a reminder, or conduct an Internet search for you just by speaking into it.

Large, Clear Screens

Most of today’s smartphones offer great screen size and resolution, which makes using smartphones easier for seniors. The large, clear images are easier to see, and brightness and size adjustments mean you can customize the screen on your phone to work with your eyes. The Samsung Galaxy S6 from T-Mobile has a 5.1 inch display known for its crystal-clear images. 

On Android smartphones like the Galaxy S6, widgets and settings will help you make the most of your large, clear screen. By going to Settings > Accessibility > Larger Text you can increase the font size on your phone’s screen so reading is easier. Head to the Google Play store to download the Big Buttons Keyboard Standard for a keyboard that’s much easier to use. Plus, with a fast and reliable network like T-Mobile’s downloading apps like this happens in a flash, allowing you to get the most out of your device. 

Health Monitoring

Seniors with heart problems, blood pressure issues, or other health concerns can turn to smartphones for better insight into overall daily health. Smartphones and wearables will never replace a doctor’s examination and advice, but they can assist seniors in leading a healthier lifestyle by saving health data to show the doctor during a check-up. Health company Omron has created a wearable blood pressure monitor that will sync to smartphones, allowing seniors to track their blood pressure.

Even without a health wearable, smartphones now offer health apps to help track calories, steps, and nutrition information. Something as simple as logging food or paying attention to the number of steps taken each day can add health benefits to your life. Ask your doctor to help you come up with a plan for using health apps on your smartphone to engage in a healthier lifestyle.

Video Calls

Staying connected to friends and family is important at every age, but it’s something that seniors especially value. Smartphones give us access to each other in a way no technology has done before. Download a video chatting app like Skype, which is simple to use and offers many of its services for free. Connect with your children, your grandchildren, and friends who live across the country that you haven’t seen in a while.

If you prefer chatting on the phone, even that is easier with a smartphone. On a landline, you’re limited. Smartphones give you the chance to call someone while you’re taking a walk or out of town. Plus, if you have any problems while you’re away from the house, a smartphone becomes your lifeline to the resources best suited to help you.

The benefits of smartphone technology aren’t just for the young. Smartphones can be incredibly freeing devices; they offer extra mobility, more information, and connection with anyone you might need to call. Plus, playing games on smartphones is lots of fun!