Of the many things I'm trying to help my 80 year old FIL with, I've managed to tackle a couple of them and I'm working on a couple more. Tonight I've been working on the cell phone issue. I actually didn't know that my FIL even had a cellphone until he was here visiting two weeks ago. He said something about having his cellphone with him and I said, "What? You have a cell phone? Why didn't you give us your number!?" and he replied, "Because I can't use the darn thing!" When pressed further he explained, "Well, whenever I call someone I always get someone else." "I tried to call your husband last week and I ended up calling my neighbor, Gary! So I apologized and tried again and it called Gary again! My phone just calls whomever it wants!"

I asked him if he was using the phone book option on the phone and perhaps it's programmed wrong? He said it doesn't matter if he uses the phone book option or if he dials the numbers himself, it has never called the person it was supposed to and instead keeps calling his neighbor.

I suspect it's him or something he's done... but at this point I asked him why he doesn't take it back and get a new phone. He said he has to go to Radio Shack once a month to have the minutes 'recharged' and every time he's gone in for the last 3 months he's told them the phone doesn't work, and they nod and smile, recharge his new minutes, roll over his old minutes and send him out the door again.

At this point, I decided to step in and help. Today I went through a envelope of special offers that came in the postal mail and I saw an ad for Jitterbug. I've just spent about 20 minutes on their website and I've found not only do they have simple phones with large buttons, screens and other conveniences for seniors, but their testimonies speak highly of their customer service reps that sound as if they are excellent in helping set up the phones for the customers or helping them with anything managing their bills to dialing the numbers for them (believe me, my FIL will need help with all of those and more!)
The thing that may be perfect for my FIL is they offer emergency only plans that start at $10 or low minute plans for $15 and $20. Perfect for the senior that wants no bells or whistles, doesn't want to use the phone for much more than an emergency service or just wants to check in with family once in a while.

I'm even considering buying the $120 a year plan and 1,000 minutes that are good for the entire year and at least I'll know that he has a phone, service and minutes for at least one year before I have to go through this head ache again. LOL.