Mobile phones for OAPs/ people with SN

[crumpet]

My grandmother is in a home and whilst they can't have a land line phone in their rooms they can have mobiles. However she finds the mobile she has a PITA as it's hard now to get a phone that's not the size of a key ring - which is hopeless with her bad eyesight and arthritic fingers.

Does anyone know whether any mobiles are made with people with bad eyesight/dexterity in mind? I'm thinking larger, with larger buttons/screens etc. Any pointers gratefully received as I'd love to help her find an easier link to the outside world.

Just bumping this - anyone know?

Crumpet, I contacted Age Concern and Help the Aged about this when choosing a mobile for my parents, who are not quite in your grandma's situation, but are in their late 70s and a bit short-sighted.
This was 18 months ago and I got nowhere with this one, on the grounds that apparently the retail scene is so fast-moving that they don't like to recommend specific models because they are relaunched so quickly.
I gave up and got them a basic Nokia.
But I did get one good piece of advice which I did not pursue and that was to attempt to get an older, bigger model via the reconditioning service that retailers like Carphone Warehouse offer. If you have a local branch it might be worth explaining to them why you need a clunkier mobile and they might be able to help.
I was pretty sad that one of these manufacturers is not bearing in mind the needs of people with reduced hand mobility/visual function. I think this is a big gap in the market.
Good luck with your search.

DH's grandad, in his early 80s, uses one of the older Nokias. We found it at MILs as she hadn't thrown it away. We simply bought a SIM card for it so he can use it as pay as you go. The older phoines were larger and the buttons bigger too. But still has the capability os using one number dialing from memory - we set it up with 3 key numbers for him.

Ask around freinds and family (or on MN maybe)and see if they have an older phone - easiest way and SIM card wasn't expensive, about £10 I think. This one didn't need unlocking and could be used on any network, but even unlocking a phone only coss about £10 if you take it to a market stall.

The RNIB are good for recommending products for VI people?

Thanks all for the speedy replies - I'll have a go with the RNIB and also the Carphone Warehouse to see if they have any older models. Will give an update if either of them come up with any useful ideas - like you Marina, it's hard to understand why this isn't available easily. Hey - maybe I've just ome up with a business idea!