While the idea of a landline might be a foreign language to Gen Z, a landline can be a lifeline for a senior citizen.
Landline phones for seniors offer familiarity with practicality, especially for those in rural areas, with health challenges, or who live alone.
Cordless phones can still be high-tech with improved features geared specifically toward seniors.
It’s not even an anomaly; 75% of people 75 and older still used a landline-based phone.
- What Are the Benefits of a Landline Cordless Phone for Seniors?
- What to Look for in a Cordless Phone for the Elderly
- 7 of the Best Cordless Phones for Seniors
- 1. AT&T BL 102-2 DECT 6.0 Two-Handset Cordless Phone with Bonus Features
- 2. VTech SN5127 Amplified Cordless Senior Phone
- 3. Ooma Telo VoIP Free Internet Home Phone
- 4. Panasonic Cordless Phone System TGD610B
- 5. Gigaset E295A Duo
- 6. Motorola CD5011 DECT 6.0 Cordless Phone
- 7. Panasonic DECT 6.0 Plus Cordless Amplified Phone with Digital Answering System
- Final Thoughts
What Are the Benefits of a Landline Cordless Phone for Seniors?
Before you can even think about rolling your eyes at the thought of researching a landline for an elderly loved one, keep in mind that loneliness and social isolation lead to increased heart attack, stroke, and dementia risks.
That’s the most crucial benefit of a landline.
Then there are the safe, smart, and stress-reducing benefits.
- Flexibility: Cordless phones allow for greater distance range, allowing garden work, resting in a favorite chair, or sipping tea on the front porch without rushing to answer a phone.
- Location Safety: A landline tells emergency dispatchers exactly where a caller is located. The phone user doesn’t have to rely on GPS systems or updated technology in a rural area.
- Convenience: If you buy an iPhone, you get an iPhone. You can’t choose different bells and whistles to adapt to your wants or needs. Cordless phones might seem a little outdated, but they cater to common aging issues like vision, hearing, and arthritis.
What to Look for in a Cordless Phone for the Elderly
The best connection in the world doesn’t matter if the person can’t use it due to limited hearing or eyesight issues.
You want to get a phone that will fit the needs of the person or people who will be using it without adding on a bunch of features that could make dialing a call seem like entering the nuclear codes.
- Buttons: You want buttons big enough for the senior to be able to see when dialing. Some phones come with the option to put photos on buttons for one-touch dialing instead of having to remember numbers.
- Emergency Call: A one-button option for 911, the nearest hospital, or a personal doctor is helpful for quick calls.
- Volume Controls: For those hard of hearing, the ability to increase the ring volume and amplify voices on calls will come in very handy.
- (Robo) Call Blocker: In 2021, nearly $1.7 billion was lost in scams against seniors. Keeping spam or scammers from reaching your loved one is a valuable feature.
7 of the Best Cordless Phones for Seniors
Even an internet search for something as simple as “cordless phone with answering machine for seniors” can yield dozens of results.
We’ve researched the best options to accommodate seniors’ top demands and desires.
1. AT&T BL 102-2 DECT 6.0 Two-Handset Cordless Phone with Bonus Features
This cordless phone system can have up to five handsets and is offered by one of the biggest names in telephony. Advanced antenna technology allows for greater walking distance without static or crackling voices.
A large screen with extra long font helps see who’s calling while offering lights throughout the base and handset in low-light environments.
PROS:
- Blocks out robocalls while allowing automated messages from organizations or pharmacies to go through
- One-touch auto assist button on the side of the phone to increase volume or improve the clarity of voices.
- A 600-foot range between the handset and phone base.
CONS:
- Various complaints of not being user-friendly, from confusing set-up menus to short battery life.
2. VTech SN5127 Amplified Cordless Senior Phone
Four photo quick-dial options complement the audio assist button, which can amplify sound by 50 decibels. That’s the equivalent of doubling the average quiet conversation.
A 90-decibel extra loud ringer (about the volume of a blender) helps alert that a call is coming in.
PROS:
- Easier setup with voice-guided instructions, not a complicated manual.
- The SOS System setup allows five outside numbers to call in case of emergency or urgency.
- Offers flexible features for both hearing and vision impairments.
CONS:
- Top consumer complaints are that the array of options leads to confusion among seniors, especially when using the directory (which will likely be pre-programmed by a caretaker or younger family member).
3. Ooma Telo VoIP Free Internet Home Phone
Here you’re technically buying a phone service with free phones, as Ooma’s business model involves initial investment and then monthly taxes you’d be paying anyway on a traditional landline, less than $10 a month.
Ooma Telo is a good option for those who are a little more tech-savvy and want to use their high-speed internet for a line and ditch the phone line. The account can be managed by anyone, allowing caretakers and family members to maximize the benefits.
PROS:
- Each handset can be customized.
- Ooma can be paired with Amazon Echo and Ooma Smart Security.
- Free unlimited calls nationwide.
CONS:
- Read the fine print. “Free” still includes taxes, and the best features come with Ooma Premier monthly paid subscription. You will have to pay a one-time fee to keep your current landline phone number.
4. Panasonic Cordless Phone System TGD610B
Larger buttons and display font helps dial numbers and see who’s calling. Paired with noise-reducing technology and a speed dial for nine numbers, you can also reduce spam calls with one-button blocking.
This device can also be used as a monitoring device for grandkids’ rooms or couples who spend time in hobby rooms outside the main living area if you have an additional handset.
PROS:
- Offers English and Spanish displays with easy programming.
- Noise reduction technology helps remove ambient noise and improve the quality of voices.
- Hold the handset or use it hands-free with all the same benefits.
CONS:
- This model doesn’t have an answering machine.
5. Gigaset E295A Duo
Two phones come standard with this selection, and each handset includes large buttons with a clear display.
The answering machine buttons are on the base, offering extra large buttons. Users can add up to 100 numbers to the contact list and block up to 25 numbers.
PROS:
- DECT Technology offers an eco-friendly option, using less energy than the average cordless phone.
- Extra large buttons with color contrast from the handset help see buttons and display more clearly.
- An ergonomically designed handset makes holding the phone more comfortable, even for arthritic hands.
CONS:
- Limited range of 164 inches (less than 14 feet)
6. Motorola CD5011 DECT 6.0 Cordless Phone
This phone is a great option for those who have more issues hearing than seeing, although it is designed with somewhat larger buttons and visual displays. It can be paired with a hearing aid or used with amplified volume.
The unit includes blocking for up to 1,000 numbers and programming options for up to 150 phone numbers.
PROS:
- Hearing aid compatible.
- Visual ring indicator alerts to incoming calls even if the handset volume is down or off.
- Slick design offers easier cleaning and germ control
CONS:
- Many reports that the buttons require firm pressing, and the button size isn’t as large as some other models.
7. Panasonic DECT 6.0 Plus Cordless Amplified Phone with Digital Answering System
In this device, which can be expanded to six handsets, Panasonic tackled the trifecta of hearing loss, vision impairment, and arthritis. Voice control allows amplified audio with tone control to hear voices better.
Audible caller ID tells you who’s calling instead of having to look at the handset. It can also be set to low power consumption mode.
PROS:
- Ergonomically designed handset is easy to hold while offering great visual and audio options.
- Can be used with headsets.
- Comes with a belt clip for those who lose handsets easily.
CONS:
- It offers just three quick dial numbers on the handset.
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Final Thoughts
The few complaints on each model come with some good information to help you make a better decision.
This includes knowing how many batteries are needed, if you can use rechargeable batteries, or if only particular batteries can be used (NiMH vs. li-ion).
Choose a brand that sells compatible headphones or other add-ons to maximize the benefits. Most importantly, note the return policy if you need to try out a different model.
