WhatsApp phone for the elderly

[boxst]

Someone I'm helping is 84 and her son wants to communicate with WhatsApp rather than text and call. She currently has some ... I have no idea ... old phone.

Can anyone recommend a cheap Android that will do the job? I've only really had iPhones and am out of my depth.

Thanks for your help.

[Evanivitch]

What about WhatsApp on a tablet? Larger screen size might help?

[boxst]

Evanivitch said:

What about WhatsApp on a tablet? Larger screen size might help?

Thank you for the suggestion. They don't have WiFi, so it would need to be a single sim-connected device, so phone.

[bitchstewie]

If it's just for that I wouldn't overthink it too much and would just look at a cheap Samsung or Moto.

[thebraketester]

boxst said:

Someone I'm helping is 84 and her son wants to communicate with WhatsApp rather than text and call. She currently has some ... I have no idea ... old phone.

Can anyone recommend a cheap Android that will do the job? I've only really had iPhones and am out of my depth.

Thanks for your help.

Wouldn't it be easier to convince the son to just use text?

[Mr Pointy]

boxst said:

Thank you for the suggestion. They don't have WiFi, so it would need to be a single sim-connected device, so phone

You can get an iPad Mini with Cellular & Wi-fi, but £749 definately doesn't qualify as cheap. Maybe look at one of the Doro phones?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/page/BC27A384-ABA7...

[DodgyGeezer]

Essex County Council used to do a free 7" tablet for video calling- specifically aimed at oldies. It's possible similar is available in your area?

[Petrus1983]

boxst said:

Thank you for the suggestion. They don't have WiFi, so it would need to be a single sim-connected device, so phone.

I don’t know the situation but living without wifi is going to get increasingly more difficult plus it’s a useful thing to have. It doesn’t have to be expensive. Is it worth looking into getting wifi for her?

[boxst]

Petrus1983 said:

I don’t know the situation but living without wifi is going to get increasingly more difficult plus it’s a useful thing to have. It doesn’t have to be expensive. Is it worth looking into getting wifi for her?

Don't get me started: EMF, conspiracies etc.. There is broadband (decent FTTC at 80/20), but the WiFi is switched off and the computer ethernet connected.

I work in IT, am really happy with my 5g connected phone so the frustration level is high ....

[Mr Pointy]

boxst said:

Petrus1983 said:

I don’t know the situation but living without wifi is going to get increasingly more difficult plus it’s a useful thing to have. It doesn’t have to be expensive. Is it worth looking into getting wifi for her?

Don't get me started: EMF, conspiracies etc.. There is broadband (decent FTTC at 80/20), but the WiFi is switched off and the computer ethernet connected.

I work in IT, am really happy with my 5g connected phone so the frustration level is high ....

Tell me about it. My sister won't have a mobile phone & it's becoming really difficult to do anything without one these days.

[Petrus1983]

boxst said:

Petrus1983 said:

I don’t know the situation but living without wifi is going to get increasingly more difficult plus it’s a useful thing to have. It doesn’t have to be expensive. Is it worth looking into getting wifi for her?

Don't get me started: EMF, conspiracies etc.. There is broadband (decent FTTC at 80/20), but the WiFi is switched off and the computer ethernet connected.

I work in IT, am really happy with my 5g connected phone so the frustration level is high ....

Enough said - not an easy situation!

[Steve_H80]

At 84 mother in all probability does not understand IT and a smartphone would be a huge source of stress. The son could stop being such a and use a form of communication his mum is comfortable with.

[StephenP]

Some of the features phone support WhatsApp I believe, and may have an interact that's familiar when compared to what they currently have.

[boxst]

Steve_H80 said:

At 84 mother in all probability does not understand IT and a smartphone would be a huge source of stress. The son could stop being such a and use a form of communication his mum is comfortable with.

Yes. I completely agree with this. But I'm not here to sort out the complex family interrelationships. If they "believe" that WhatsApp will sort all that out then I can facilitate that. It won't of course, and what they actually need is therapy or a discussion about the issues.

[the-norseman]

StephenP said:

Some of the features phone support WhatsApp I believe, and may have an interact that's familiar when compared to what they currently have.

Some of the really cheap Nokia's do these days like the 8110 4G, but the buttons are tiny.

[mattley]

If she's happy with a wired desktop computer just install the WhatsApp desktop app.

[StephenP]

the-norseman said:

Some of the really cheap Nokia's do these days like the 8110 4G, but the buttons are tiny.

The Nokia 2720 flip has 4G, large buttons and GPS plus an SOS button that sends the phone location to a set of designated numbers.

I've been trying to get one in black, to test for my parents .... that said they seem to be very hard to get hold of currently!