Make technology work for you

Standard analog phone service uses the same copper wires utilized for phone service since it was first introduced for home use in the early 1900’s. Often referred to as a “land line,” these lines support rotary and tone-dial phones, and many people have a “cordless” phone for convenience. These standard phone lines can also support an Internet connection using a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) Internet Modem. In some communities, especially rural communities, this may be the only option available for Internet service since it’s the most widely installed wiring to homes.

Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) phone service is a technology that allows phone calls to be digitized and transmitted over the Internet. VOIP phone is quickly becoming the most prominent phone service, and is often comparable to or less expensive than standard analog phone service. Many Internet providers will also “bundle” VOIP phone service with Internet service.

Cell phone service uses cell reception towers to deliver wireless radio signals to cell phones. The cell reception towers are hard-wired into the Internet for transmission to other phone locations (standard phone lines, VOIP phones, other cell phones or virtual phones). As you move around with your cell phone, your radio connection signal is transferred from tower to tower to ensure a constant connection. Connections to locations on other continents are often transferred using space-based satellite relays.

Virtual phone service is a phone interface that doesn’t require a phone to function. A phone number is assigned to a user, and software installed on their computer is used to transfer voice communications across the Internet to other phones. Virtual phone service is often paired with the camera on a computer making video calls very easy. Google Voice is a common service that people can use free of charge, but full phone functionality requires the software to be open on your computer. There are many other providers that offer free virtual phone service and for individuals on a tight budget, this is a great option.

If you are out and about often or travel regularly, a cell phone may be the best option for you due to its portability. In an emergency, your cell phone should work almost anywhere you are, and can provide your location to approved friends or family. A cell phone does need to be kept charged to work properly, but this is generally not an issue with charging cables for standard household outlets and adaptors to charge from your computer or car. It’s also important to note that “smartphones” are not the only cell phone option. Basic cell phones are still available and may be a good choice for anyone who simply wants to talk and/or text.

If you spend more of your time at home, and usually have others with you when you’re out, having (or keeping) a home phone may be all you need. The “landline” is also the type of phone many people over age 60 are used to having and using. In an emergency, your landline should work, but if you use a wireless (or cordless) phone for convenience and the power goes out the wireless phone will not work. You should have at least one phone in your home that does not require power to use.

Though the trend is moving quickly toward wireless/cell phone use only, many older adults have both a landline and cell phone(s). Having both may provide you with an additional sense of security whether you’re at home or away.

According to recent estimates,
45% of those age 65 and older use “wireless [phones] only”
and another 18% use “wireless [phones] mostly”.
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Early Release of Estimates
from the National Health Interview Survey, January-June 2022.

There are several inexpensive and easier to use wireless phones available in the market today. Service plans for these alternatives are often more affordable due to factors like data and talk-time limits, text message limits and reduced speed for Internet connections.

These plans connect to existing cell towers from one of the four major service providers (AT&T, T-Mobile, US Cellular and Verizon) and pay those providers to allow access for their customers. Common brands are Easyfone, Tracfone, Consumer Cellular, Jitterbug, Lively, Alcatel and many others. 

Pay-as-you-go plans from major carriers may also be more affordable than a full-pay service plan. For example, a full-pay plan from AT&T can range in cost from $85 – $120 per month. By comparison, a pay-as-you-go plan from AT&T with similar features can cost as little as $25 per month.

“Smartphones,” of course, make and receive phone calls but are also essentially hand-held computers that let you email, take photos, navigate with GPS, connect to the Internet, set alarms, manage your calendar, listen to music, watch movies or TV shows and access many other functions. If you have Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids, you can usually pair them with your smartphone, allowing audio from your phone, including phone calls, to go directly to your hearing aids.

Choosing the right smartphone and service plan can be a daunting task, so we’ve listed the key things you’ll need to research to make your decision:

1. What type of operating system you prefer (iPhone vs. Android).
2. The overall cost of the phone; plus
3. The cost of various service plans.
4. Which service provider you would like to use.

You’ll need to balance functionality and cost to make a choice that meets your needs and is affordable for you.

When purchasing a phone, most major carriers allow you to choose whether you want to make monthly payments for your phone or buy the phone outright. If someone is kind enough to give you a smartphone they’re no longer using, it may also be possible to simply purchase a new “SIM card” that allows the phone to access the cell towers. This can be a good way to avoid the cost of purchasing a new phone, but keep in mind some older phones may not be able to connect to today’s cell towers. Check with service providers to see if the gifted phone is still compatible with their cell networks.

The cost of service plans varies, but generally you will get more features and higher (or no) limits on data and voice usage by spending more each month. Many service providers offer reduced costs if you have several phone lines on the same plan, so consider joining a “family plan” with your kids and/or grandkids to save money on a monthly basis. If a family plan isn’t the right fit, ask about current promotions and/or discounts available for older adults.

There are many medical alert devices available today, including options from Life Alert, Lively, Medical Guardian, Mobile Help, Medical Alert, One Call Alert, ADT Medical Alert, Aloe Care, LifeFone and others. When these devices first became available, they could only be used within the home and with a standard analog phone line. Today, these devices also use the latest technology, making them more flexible than ever, including:

• Cellular phone connections
• Home phone connections
• Completely portable, cell connected alert button
• Apps for smartphones that offer notifications and GPS information

If you already own a smartphone and usually carry it with you, your first option might be to search for an app that runs on your phone. These apps typically offer a notification system and GPS location information.