Technology should make our lives simpler. Unfortunately, regular updates and layout changes can make smartphones seem complex and frustrating to seniors.
I discovered this dilemma when helping my mom use her Android phone.
One morning she called me and said “Who touched my phone today? The phone dial looks weird.” I thought someone had accidentally pressed something on her phone. But when I looked at her phone, I saw the Phone app had updated and it looked different.
It was a good reminder that technology changes daily, but seniors need stability.
Here are some tips to simplify Android phones and tablets for elderly family members.
1. Increase Text and Display Size
The quickest win is larger text.
Go to Settings → Display → Font Size and Display Size and bump both settings up.
Increase the font size until reading menus, messages, and app icons is comfortable. This will probably be the biggest change for seniors who have difficulty seeing small text.
2. Reduce Clutter on the Home Screen
Too many apps on the home screen can be overwhelming. Consider leaving only the essentials on the first screen:
- Phone
- Messages
- Camera
- Contacts
- Photos
Remove or relocate rarely-used apps into folders. Aim for simplicity and avoiding clutter.
Seniors should be able to see everything they use regularly at a glance.
3. Use Larger Keyboards
Messing around with tiny keyboards is annoying at any age. Fortunately, most Android keyboards can be enlarged through the keyboard settings.
Larger keys mean fewer errors and make texting far easier.
4. Enable Accessibility Features
Android phones come with a number of built-in accessibility features. Options include:
- Magnification
- Voice typing
- Hearing enhancements
- Increase contrast for text
- Screen reader support
These settings can be accessed in Settings → Accessibility. Check out each option and see which ones might help your loved one.
5. Pay Attention to App Updates
This tip will save you plenty of headaches. As I learned with my mom, seniors get confused when app layouts change.
Apps can update automatically without you knowing. Even if you disable auto-updates, some apps may alter their layout during an update or when switching phone mode.
If your loved one comments on an app looking different, take the time to explain the new layout.
Describe where buttons have moved or been changed. It only takes a few seconds to explain, but can mean the world to your senior relative.
6. Add Emergency and Family Contacts
Make important contacts “favorites” for quick access, and include emergency information on the lock screen if your Android model supports it.
All of us worry about our parents, so this gives you and your loved one extra peace of mind.
Summary
Lesson learned – my mother isn’t opposed to technology, she just hates when things change.
Phones that worked fine yesterday may appear different after an app update. You shouldn’t have to teach seniors every new feature or change that occurs.
Make the user experience simple and consistent. With larger fonts, less clutter, and patience you can ensure your loved one has a positive experience with their Android smartphone.