I just put my 84 year old father on my cell phone plan. Shopping for his phone was completely than shopping for my last phone. He is not going to listen to music, surf the net, check in with his Facebook buddies, or even text message. What I needed to find was a simple, easy to navigate phone, with a large number keypad.
What I landed on was the LG VX5500 with Verizon (my current wireless carrier). It seems to be exactly what I wanted. I walked through it with Dad and he caught on quickly when it came to answering and dialing out. I am glad I went with a flip phone because answering it is easier for him than if he would have to search for a button to push. I programmed in some phone numbers, but I am pretty sure he will always dial them by hand since for him it's easier. The keypad is great. He can dial by just feel ... we practiced several times.
I don't expect him to use the camera or even the GPS, but I may get him to try out text messaging. He was so intimated at the thought of a cell phone, but now that he has seen how simple it is, I think he is going to want to see what else he can learn!
