Best Jitterbug Phones and Plans for Seniors

Elderly mnan holding a flip phone

It’s easy to get lost in the specifics when comparing mobile phones for seniors. The decision will be based on their needs: would they want a more complicated smartphone, a simple flip phone, or a phone with standard technology in the middle? Basic flip phones are the most user-friendly mobile phones for the elderly. Large button phones for elders are ideal for folks with poor dexterity or larger fingers. The important features of a user-friendly phone for seniors include long battery life, good sound quality, a big, clear, and bright display, an emergency help button, and a durable design. Jitterbug phones are an ultimate option for seniors.

Before purchasing a jitterbug smartphone, you need to consider what cell phone plans you might consider according to your phone usage. Finally, the guide will provide information about the best jitterbug cell phone and their features.

Jitterbug Flip Phones

Jitterbug flip phones and smartphones (now known as Lively Flip and Lively Smart) target an overlooked elderly demographic by offering mobile phone service. They’re simple to operate, accessible to view because of large display panels, and simple to comprehend. The simplicity and inexpensive pricing of the Jitterbug Flip are its most enticing characteristics, making it a top senior mobile phone option. The great call is the service provider for the Verizon network-enabled Jitterbug Flip. Jitterbug charges a monthly fee depending on the number of minutes and messages you intend to use.

The Jitterbug Flip passes all the requirements for a superb mobile phone for seniors. It includes powerful speakers that can be turned up to provide louder music and noise cancellation technology to assist filter out bothersome background noise. The battery is fantastic, lasting up to 10 hours on a single call. In addition, 1 GB of storage space is available, which can accommodate 1000 photographs, 200 contacts, and 50 SMS.

If elders encounter difficulties, they may activate the Jitterbug Flip’s emergency assistance button. GPS is used by the 5Star emergency service to locate the user. The emergency button feels different from the other buttons, so you can discover it simply by touching it. A monthly subscription is required for this 5Star emergency service. Jitterbug also has a Voice Dial function, which allows you to call a contact just by saying their name on the phone.

 

Man holding a flip phone

Jitterbug Phone Benefits

Jitterbug Flip is built with big lettering and lighted buttons to make it as simple to view and operate as possible. The speakerphone mode and super-high volume make it simple to hear people on the phone. You may usually maintain your present number when switching to a Jitterbug phone. When a senior dials a number, it shows in huge type on the easy-to-read screen. There is a special button for emergency calls, so older people may get the assistance they want fast. Subscriptions start at $14.99 per month and vary depending on how many messages and minutes a senior use.

When the user taps the 5Star button, the Jitterbug connects to Wi-Fi; otherwise, Wi-Fi is inaccessible. If you want a Jitterbug phone but require Wi-Fi, look into the Jitterbug Smart2, which is Jitterbug’s simple response to sophisticated smartphones. Finally, Jitterbug Flip is the finest flip phone for seniors who desire a simple, plain, low-cost phone without extra capabilities like Wi-Fi or email.

Jitterbug Phone by Lively

While some older individuals have mastered contemporary cellphones such as the iPhone, a larger group needs a smartphone that suits their requirements. This is where businesses like Lively come in. This startup provides two low-cost, easy-to-use phones made exclusively for elderly persons. Both support hearing aids have easy menus, a speakerphone, voice-to-text capabilities, a long battery life, and optional health and safety features.

Lively is an excellent choice if you want a more basic phone that is simple to use straight out of the box. And since both Lively phones made the top mobile phones for seniors in 2022, we know you’re in excellent hands. Here’s everything you need to know about Lively’s two phones and plan choices below so you can make an informed decision.

 

jitterbug lively smart phone

Lively Jitterbug Phone Plans and Features

Lively provides two voice and text plans, data add-ons, and a variety of extra Health & Safety Packages, so it’s simple to devise a strategy that fits your lifestyle and budget.

Talk and Text Plan

Do you just need a cellphone for emergencies or the odd call or text? Then, you need to check the text plan of Lively. This strategy might be ideal for you or the elderly at your home. It comes with 300 minutes of talk time and costs 10 cents for each text message. It is Lively’s most affordable package, costing just $14.99 monthly. It is ideal for seniors who do not want to spend much time on their mobile phones.

Unlimited Calls and Texts

For an additional $5 each month, you may get limitless calls and messages from your loved ones. That means you won’t run out of minutes or rack up a fee every time your grandkids text you. This package keeps you connected for $19.99 each month. It’s a great option for seniors who like texting their friends, family, grandkids, and other loved ones.

Urgent Care

Have you ever needed medical assistance but didn’t want to make an appointment just to ask a basic question? Urgent Treatment provides seniors with 24-hour access to board-certified physicians and licensed nurses, allowing you to use your Lively device to get non-emergency medical care from the comfort of your home. Doctor’s appointments may be costly. Therefore, this feature provides good value and accessibility to Treatment.

Fall Detection

This function identifies and monitors your position in the event of a fall. When a slip is detected, an Urgent Response Agent is notified and may help you immediately.

 

Lively mobile plus

Data Plans

Seniors who pick the Jitterbug Smart3 must choose a data plan in addition to their speak and text package. Data plans allow you to access the internet while you are not at home or are not connected to Wi-Fi. The amount of data you need each month is determined by your usage. With five choices to select from, Lively allows you to pay just for what you need. Lively suggests the 500 MB plan, which costs just $5 per month, for the typical older adult. However, suppose you like viewing movies, using Google Maps while driving, reading email, or browsing the web while you’re out and about. In that case, you may want to consider the 5 GB plan for $15 per month or the unlimited data plan for $30 per month.

Health and Safety Packages

The optional Lively Health & Safety Packages provide peace of mind to older persons who need extra support and want their mobile phone to function as a medical alert device. You may add any of the Health & Safety Packages to any Lively phone for a monthly subscription. The four different services include urgent response, lively link, urgent care, and personal operator.

Urgent Response

A large red button on your phone links you to highly-trained agents who are accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Lively Link

This is an app that notifies friends and family if your battery runs out or you dial Urgent Response.

Urgent Care

Without an appointment, chat with a real nurse or board-certified doctor at any time. They can provide common drug prescriptions and answer your medical inquiries.

Personal Operator

A professional personal operator is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to assist you in finding addresses or phone numbers, organize transportation, provide instructions, and more.

Lively Jitterbug Flip2 Phone

Lively has been narrowing the gap between mobile phones and elderly persons since 2005. This Lively flip2 phone, despite its simple form, has several smart care capabilities that make it ideal for seniors. Is it the appropriate phone for you or a loved one? Let’s get started. The Jitterbug Flip2 is a perfect phone for older individuals who don’t want to bother with a feature-packed smartphone, thanks to its simplified design and the inclusion of medical alert functionality.

The lively flip phone is powered by Verizon wireless cellular network, which is one of the top senior mobile phone plans. As a result, you can experience faultless service with my calls and texts anywhere you go. Additionally, the Jitterbug Flip2 could make calls, send messages, and surf the web with just your voice, thanks to its built-in Alexa function.

 

Lively flip phone

Setting up your Jitterbug Flip2

When you buy the Jitterbug flip2 phone, the package box will contain a wall charger, a charging cradle, and an instruction guide that provides the simple setup method.

All you need to do is, plug your phone into the charger and wait until your phone charges completely. It will hardly take less than 2 hours to recharge the battery. Then switch on the Jitterbug flip2 phone and dial the service number provided in the instruction manual. Enter your information, and your phone will be running in no time.

Call Quality

You will be impressed to hear the quality and volume of the audio of the Jitterbug flip2 phone. Considering how many older persons suffer from hearing loss, the audio quality of a phone should be excellent, and the Jitterbug Flip2 does not disappoint. Regarding hearing aid compatibility, the Jitterbug Flip2 is rated M4/T4.

Messaging

When it comes to sending text messages, many customers were happy with the size and spacing of the buttons, which made it easy to write out characters precisely. Furthermore, everything on the screen of your Jitterbug Flip2 will be presented in a huge 32-point font, making it simple to read. The phone’s buttons are also illuminated, allowing you to type in low or no light conditions.

 

elderly couple looking at phone

Camera

The camera of this phone is average. Despite being labeled at eight megapixels, your photographs will not be of sufficient quality to merit printing or sharing online. Still, the camera accomplishes the job and might be useful for practical uses such as shooting a recipe.

Urgent Response

You will love the 5-star button on the bottom of the phone. This button will promptly link you to one of Lively’s monitoring agents, who could have contacted emergency services if required. The agent can follow your location easily via GPS. This feature can be very useful for seniors, especially those who are sick. You just have to tap the button, and you will be instantly connected to someone who could send aid if required, without having to call a number or navigate menus.

Affordable Plans

Tired of paying for phone minutes and services you never use? Jitterbug Flip2 and Jitterbug Smart3 phone plans are reasonably priced and do not include additional services. Value plans start at $14.99 monthly, while Unlimited Talk & Text starts at $19.99 monthly. In addition, the Jitterbug Smart3 requires a data plan starting at $2.49 per month.

Lively also includes some features at no extra cost with each plan. These features include a month-to-month plan with no long-term contracts and no U.S. long-distance fees (you can call anywhere in the U.S). In addition, you can cancel the plan anytime you like, and unused minutes are rolled over for up to 60 days.

 

woman looking at her phone

Health and Safety Package

In addition to minutes and texts, Lively provides what they term health and safety packages, which are services oriented at older folks who want to monitor their health and keep an extra layer of security.

Brain Games

Puzzle-based activities, sometimes known as brain games, have been demonstrated to enhance cognitive abilities that tend to diminish with age, such as decision-making and short-term memory. These games came in a variety of versions on Jitterbug Flip2. Face Facts game, for example, recall names and correlates them with photographs of faces.

Lively Link

Family members and caregivers may use this app to get alerts anytime the Jitterbug Flip2 presses the 5Star button or runs out of battery power.

Personal Operator

As mentioned earlier, this feature allows you to call a personal operator to help you with anything. For example, if you find it difficult to look up numbers, addresses, etc.

5star Urgent Response

When you tap this button, it will immediately connect you with a response agent.

Urgent Care

With this feature, you can call a doctor or a nurse in an emergency.

Extras

Lively provides various hardware alternatives for the Jitterbug Flip2 and phone and service options. Here’s a closer look at these useful extras.

Extra Battery

Although your Jitterbug Flip2 comes with one rechargeable battery, extra batteries ($19.99 each) make an excellent backup. You can carry one in your bag so that if your phone dies, you can quickly replace the battery and return to work.

Bluetooth Headset

This earpiece headset connects wirelessly to your phone and allows you to answer calls and listen to music hands-free.

Lanyard Case

If you don’t like wearing belts, maybe this lanyard case is for you. It’s a terrific method to safeguard and keep track of your Jitterbug Flip2 for $19.99. It is also available in two colors: red and black.

Travel Wall Charger

This $19.99 portable charger is ideal for the customer who is frequently on the road and wants to ensure that their Jitterbug Flip2 does not lose power.

Who Should Buy Jitterbug Phones?

The Jitterbug Flip is a basic phone designed for seniors with little experience with digital gadgets. However, suppose you’re a tech-savvy senior who loves downloading applications and browsing the internet. In that case, the Jitterbug Smart2 or Flip2 phone may be for you. Before making a selection, evaluate the pricing and features of both devices, and keep in mind that neither device operates as a solo medical alert system. You may use the Jitterbug Flip to make emergency calls. Still, for 24-hour protection, you may need to purchase a separate medical alert system.

 

woman on her phone

In a Nutshell

Many seniors in today’s contemporary world seek a handy method to keep in contact with their loved ones without surrendering their independence. The Jitterbug Flip phone allows elderly people to age in place by assuring them that assisted living is just a button press away. Caregivers and family members like knowing that subscribers have 24-hour help, while seniors appreciate the lifeline a mobile phone offers.

Lively is the best flip phone option if you want a gadget that keeps you connected and delivers 24/7 protection. Their gadgets are compact and stylish, so you won’t feel like you’re lugging a huge medical alert device. Compared to other flip phones and smartphones, Lively’s device costs are reasonable and particularly created for older individuals. The health and safety elements may be as basic or as complex as you choose, and they can be altered as your health conditions change. With their versatility and adaptability, Lively devices are an excellent choice for any senior who needs a mobile phone, medical alert device, or both.

Cell phones don’t have to be complicated or bothersome to stay in contact with loved ones. Jitterbug phones come in two varieties: simple and simpler, which give you the choice of a touch-screen smartphone or a traditional flip phone that can call for assistance, receive text messages, and snap photographs. The jitterbug plan will also surprise you with its add-on services.

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