Dad Calling

[jogold]

(I split the issues to two posts)
My clients 80 year old father has mild dementia, some days are better than others.
When it's a bad day he needs to be able to pickup the landline phone and it should automatically dial a pre-configured number.
Just by picking up the phone, I know that there are services for emergencies and they have that, but he calms down when he can call his kids, and he can't use the speed-dial.
Any ideas?
Thanks

 

[Sky-Knight]

A voip handset could be programmed via dialing rules to only allow connecting to a single number. But he'd still have to push send on the base.

 

[jogold]

Thanks, I'll ask them if than can be a solution.

 

[Sky-Knight]

I'm also remembering old flip style cell phones intended for small children. They were carrier locked into a small list of numbers. Verizon has them I think? I can't find any on a quick look, but that's another option to consider. Assuming my memory is working correctly... it is Monday morning!

 

[britechguy]

There are also "watch phones" targeted at the child market that can only dial one or, possibly, two numbers, and the service is cheap.

But I've written to @jogold privately about all this, as having been down this road myself, there are many red flags he's brought up that need to be addressed by someone. That someone may not be him, but he might be a part of guiding this family to the resources they need that go well beyond the technological.

 

[jogold]

The went to Verison before coming to me. Used to be a thing but not anymore.

 

[jogold]

He has a watch phone but the face is too small. We seem to forget that kiddie tech doesn't always work for the "pre-tech" generation.
He is calmed by talking on an old fashion handset.

 

[nlinecomputers]

This is beyond the purview of the question but it sounds like he has reached the point where he shouldn't be left alone. He doesn't need a phone he needs 24/7 care.

 

[jogold]

Not my call.

 

[nlinecomputers]

Memory Picture Phone for Seniors | Telephones for Dementia, Hearing Impaired and Memory Loss | Large Button Phone w/ Photos + Numbers | Amplified | VoIP Compatible | Alzstore

Our Senior-Friendly Picture Phone w/ Large Buttons allows those w/ Alzheimer's & Dementia to press the picture or # of the person they wish to call. Great for seniors and for those who are visually impaired or who have limited hand coordination. Hearing Aid compatible + hands-free dialing!

www.alzstore.com

Something like this? I don't what is available in Belgium.

 

[jogold]

Thx, it's for the States.

 

[Sky-Knight]

There are many desk phones for offices that are essentially tablets with a coil set attached to them. Those would need some tweaking but I'd assume you can set the icon sizes so you can build a display of contacts based on images like the above.

But the lack of tactile feedback is less than ideal...

Perhaps an intercom? A VOIP version could in theory be hooked to a SIP extension that's programmed to call a single number on button push. But that's not exactly a "phone".

 

[timeshifter]

Memory Picture Phone for Seniors | Telephones for Dementia, Hearing Impaired and Memory Loss | Large Button Phone w/ Photos + Numbers | Amplified | VoIP Compatible | Alzstore

Our Senior-Friendly Picture Phone w/ Large Buttons allows those w/ Alzheimer's & Dementia to press the picture or # of the person they wish to call. Great for seniors and for those who are visually impaired or who have limited hand coordination. Hearing Aid compatible + hands-free dialing!

www.alzstore.com

Something like this? I don't what is available in Belgium.

It’s been a little over 4 years now, but I recall having a similar phone for my mom. May have even been the exact model there. Actually it was this one, worked pretty well.

Picture Care Phone with 40dB https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00INR388I?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

 

[jogold]

Thanks, they got this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Z9L4S8L, he's got a bunch of kids to call.

 

[VISA MC]

There are many desk phones for offices that are essentially tablets with a coil set attached to them. Those would need some tweaking but I'd assume you can set the icon sizes so you can build a display of contacts based on images like the above.

But the lack of tactile feedback is less than ideal...

Perhaps an intercom? A VOIP version could in theory be hooked to a SIP extension that's programmed to call a single number on button push. But that's not exactly a "phone".

A lot of Voip phones can be programmed to auto dial when the handset is lifted. Kind of like the “red phone” you see in the movies. We do it in hotel lobbies for calling front desk.

 

[jogold]

theyre going for the Picture Care Phone with 40dB https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00INR388I?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share