| A lot of emphasis is placed on cell phones and cell | | | | Features That Appeal To Senior Consumers |
| phone services for the business user, the harried mom, | | | | Ease Of Use And A Simple Interface - So many of |
| and even for kids; however, very little attention is paid | | | | the cell phones on the market today are designed for |
| to the need that seniors have for a cell phone. Seniors | | | | people who have the need to integrate many |
| are definitely not going to be the target audience if | | | | technologies; including email and the ability to browse |
| wireless carriers market their products as "cool, stylish, | | | | the internet. This often can make them bulky and |
| and trendy!" While having a need for a cell phone, | | | | difficult to figure out, even for the savviest of cell |
| seniors are most likely going to be put off by phones | | | | phone users! Seniors today are more technology |
| and plans that offer excessive features; features they | | | | savvy, granted, but they do not necessarily have the |
| have no need or desire for. The inclination then, by | | | | need to access email or the internet from their cell |
| seniors, is to rather just avoid shopping for and buying | | | | phone; their needs will extend more towards a basic, |
| a cell phone. | | | | functional cell phone that incorporates voice, text, and |
| Several companies have seen the gap in the market | | | | possibly a camera. |
| and have stepped forward to provide not only mobile | | | | Affordability - All of us are on tighter budgets these |
| phones specifically designed for seniors, but also voice | | | | days; however, a retired senior citizen is likely to be on |
| call plans that have exactly what senior consumers | | | | a fixed income and cannot deviate much from a strict |
| may be looking for. | | | | budget. An affordable, or even prepaid, plan that |
| There are many reasons a senior citizen has a need | | | | focuses on low rates per minute is very appealing to a |
| for a reliable cell phone. | | | | person on a strict fixed budget. |
| Safety! Safety should be at the forefront of | | | | Bright Screen - No one likes to talk about the fact that |
| everyone's mind when they are considering a cell | | | | our vision tends to decline with age; however, a large |
| phone. Senior citizens in 2008 are independent, on the | | | | brightly lit display with large text can be a great asset |
| go, on the move, and have active social lives; however, | | | | to a senior user. |
| as is the case with all of us, the need to be able to | | | | A few companies, like Jitterbug, have stepped up to |
| communicate with someone in an emergency is vital! | | | | the plate and now offer not only phones to meet the |
| Breakdowns in the car, an accident, or even an | | | | needs of seniors, but also offer a phone that can |
| incident in the yard are all reasons that any of us have | | | | customize the buttons for convenience and ease of |
| reason to call for assistance. Seniors need to be able | | | | use. Their calling plans are affordable, customizable |
| to reach help just like all of us, especially in the case of | | | | and can help provide peace of mind to family |
| a medical emergency. | | | | members of seniors who live on their own. |