Feb 1, 20237 min read

How We Found the Best Home Phones for Older Adults

WRITTEN BY: AGINGINPLACE Updated August 1, 2022

When purchasing a new phone for yourself, an older parent, or grandparent, there are a few simple features to keep in mind.

If you or your loved one are vision or hearing impaired, there are accessibility options, as well as options without the tricky technology that comes with smartphones. We’ve picked our favorite home phones to help you find the best traditional landline phone for you.

Home Phones We Reviewed:

Best Comprehensive: Acenis Terryphone Best Multi-Set: VTech Expandable Phone With Answering System Best Extra-Loud Phone: Home Intuition Classic Corded Phone Most Helpful: Clarity Amplified Corded Photo Telephone Best Picture Phone: Future Call FC-1007 Picture Care Phone Best Mobile Phone Option: Lively Jitterbug Smart3

Our Experience

This is the best all-around phone for aging adults thanks to its comprehensive features. To start, the big buttons make for easy dialing while three personal, one-touch speed-dial options—with picture phone memory keys to help those with dementia—are convenient and allow calls to important loved ones or emergency lines in a pinch. There’s also a foam handset cover to create a soft, ergonomic, non-slip surface, which doubles as a comfortable hold if you have grip impairments or arthritic hands.

If you’re hearing impaired, there’s a flashing red LED light to indicate incoming calls, extra-loud sound (40-plus decibels), and a hands-free speakerphone function with volume control. You can increase the volume for the ringer, speaker, or handset with easy-to-spot side slots and switches to suit your needs.

Additionally, the phone is both wall- and desk-mountable ensuring it will stay in place wherever it is stationed.

What We Like:

Big buttons and picture phone speed dial options make for easy dialing
Helpful and soft ergonomic handset grip
Extra-loud sound at 40 decibels
Easy to set up and use
Manufacturer guarantee

What We Don’t Like:

Speaker button can malfunction
Phone may be hard to hang up on cradle
Might get some static sounds

Our Experience

The VTech Expandable Corded/Cordless Phone System with Answering System is ideal for those who want a landline with an integrated answering machine system (it does have a voicemail-waiting light indicator). The backlit display has large numbers for easy visibility. We liked that you can use an intercom between the handset and base unit for talking through your home or helping find a missing handset. If you’re using this in a massive home, or in an office with multiple users, this device allows you to expand your phone system. You can add on up to five handsets with the CS6609 accessory handset, all connected to the same line. Another helpful benefit is the phone’s ECO mode, a power-conserving setting to manage consumption to prolong your batteries and reduce unnecessary radiation in your home.

What We Like:

Caller ID and call waiting
Holds up to 50 calls
Speakerphones on both handset and base
Quiet mode
ECO mode helps save energy and reduce radiation
Adjustable volume for hard-of-hearing

What We Don’t Like:

Some people had trouble with volume performance after a few weeks

Our Experience

If you’re a fan of the classics or retro phone designs, there’s a lot to love about this basic corded phone from Home Intuition. There’s a long, 9-foot cord that allows your loved one a little extra room when necessary. The highlight features of this phone, however, are its benefits for hearing impaired callers. A double-gong ringer with ADA-compliant volume control to make it even louder, an extra-loud handset, and hearing aid compatibility make this phone a great choice. In addition, there are two lines stationed on the back of the phone that allow it to work with an answering machine or caller ID device and a quick-view phone number tag on the front.

While this phone is certainly not the tech savviest, it is reliable during power outages—as opposed to VoIP phones that require power and internet connectivity in order to function. It also makes for a great backup phone in case of emergency if there is a primary VoIP device your loved one utilizes and relies on.

What We Like:

Basic when you don’t need all the bells and whistles
Easy to use
Has a double-gong ringer you can make even louder
Great emergency backup during power outages
Compatible with answering machine and caller ID devices

What We Don’t Like:

Trouble adjusting and working the ringer
Reverb during calls
Even on highest volume, may not accommodate the hardest of hearing

Our Experience

The Clarity Amplified Corded Photo Telephone makes calls louder by enhancing sound up to 20 decibels for people who have trouble hearing. The phone also has programmable buttons that can either be personalized with family photos. However, you can also simply program numbers, such as an emergency line, a pharmacy, or other useful contacts. We found the bright light that indicates ringing is a great feature for hearing impaired. The buttons are also bold, large, and have excellent contrast, making them easy to identify. This relatively lightweight phone can either be mounted on the wall or used on a countertop or table. For an overall, general-purpose home phone for those who experience issues hearing or a little difficulty seeing, this is a great option.

What We Like:

Amplifies sound up to 20 decibels for those with trouble hearing
Nine programmable auto-call buttons
Can insert personal photos for programmed numbers
Vivid light ring indicator
Extra-large, high-contrast buttons
Simple design for those who don’t like technology

What We Don’t Like:

Possibility of some static or buzzing noises on higher volumes

Our Experience

The Future Call FC-1007 Picture Care Phone with 40dB is made for those who do not necessarily need caller ID and only want emergency calling along with 10 programmable numbers. A bright light indicates any incoming calls. The large, easy-to-see display can be personalized with photos or names. A redial button is within quick reach as well. This phone is a perfect phone for those who want the most simplistic phone design, or don’t like having a phone at all, unless using one for an emergency. Specifically in the case of an emergency, the phone has a backup feature in which numbers remain backed up if the phone is ever unplugged or loses power. Another excellent feature for some individuals is that the 911 key can be changed to a different number for those with dementia, preventing the chance of accidental calls.

What We Like:

Ten programmable buttons for numbers
Buttons can be personalized with photos
LED lights brightly indicate ringing
Easy-to-see red 911 button
Ringer can be turned on high, low, and off
Loud volume for those with difficulty hearing

What We Don’t Like:

Rare situations of programmed numbers deleting themselves
Some complaints of occasional issues with static sounds

Our Experience

Lively Direct, which makes the Lively Jitterbug Smart3, is a family of brands that focuses on empowering older adult consumers to age gracefully and happily. The smartphone has several features designed specifically with older adult care in mind, including a simple menu, powerful speaker and voice typing options. In addition, users can keep their loved ones updated on their health by adding them to their emergency contacts list, so their loved ones can be notified by Urgent Response in case of an emergency. With health and safety packages, the smartphone stands out because it is beneficial to older adults who wish to live independently and have the assurance that help can be summoned quickly if needed.

We found the bright light and large font to be ideal for older adults since most smartphones have much smaller fonts. The buttons are also big and bold, making them easy for older adults to identify. Older adults who are easily confused by the typical smartphone would definitely benefit from Lively Smartphone 3’s simplicity and ease of use.

What We Like:

Listed-based menu makes it easy to navigate
Has typical smartphone features, but with older adults specifically in mind
Long-lasting battery life

What We Don’t Like:

Runs only on the Verizon Wireless network

What to Look for in a Landline

When purchasing a landline phone, there are some things to contemplate. Naturally, you will want to consider the age of the person using the phone and any sight or hearing impairments. You also need to consider whether the phone will be used for regular conversation or if it will be a phone for emergency use only.

Checking on Telephone Reviews

Researching reviews can be helpful especially when a product has several hundred or even in the thousands. Keep in mind that all products will have some negative reviews. These are sometimes attributed to incorrect product use, not reading the manual, or improper hookup. It’s estimated that a staggering 95% of all returned gadgets in the United States actually work, regardless of what customers say. The fault is often in improper use or just not reading the manual.

Telephones for Older Adult Conditions

If there are particular health conditions in your situation, and you’re purchasing a phone for someone who has dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, think about every possible scenario they might encounter. Ask yourself if they will accidentally call emergency numbers if the phone is programmed to dial 911. With some devices such as the VTech model, there are occasionally special requirements. For example, if you have DSL, you may need a DSL filter.

Ringer Volumes for the Hard-Of-Hearing

If your loved one lives in housing where neighbors can potentially hear through the walls, but your friend or family member is severely hearing impaired or deaf, you will need to make the decision about ringer volume. Will the ringer volume need to be loud? Can you give clear instructions for your loved one to check regularly for a voicemail waiting or incoming call light?

Take a Look at Compatibility and Battery Requirements

With some devices such as the VTech model, there are occasionally special requirements. For example, if you have DSL, you may need a DSL filter. Most of these phones also have batteries that either need charging before use or require batteries that are not included. Don’t forget to check the set-up requirements when you glance over the features.

Telephone Location for Older Adults

It’s also important to think about where the phone will be located. If it will be near a bedside, will a bright backlit display be a benefit for dialing in the dark, or will it be a detriment to sleep? Ask yourself these questions and consider you or your loved one’s specific situation. Then you will be much more informed about finding the right home phone for you or an older adult member of the family who needs a phone for emergencies.