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Spouse may be asked to give up driving at age 76 pending review and driving test on the 17th of January. Planning ahead here: is there a simple cell phone that he can use to call for rides? He has never had a cell phone and has difficulty when someone loans him theirs re knowing how to hang up, etc. Would the phone need a complicated user plan?

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pronker, check out the Jitterbug cellphones as those cellphones are simple.

I remember one time my boss asked me to answer his cellphone... I just stood there staring at it as I had zero clue on how to answer that phone :P I just never used a Smart phone or whatever they are called. I am still using a flip phone and it does all that I need.

Now, if my flip phone crashes, my next cell will be a Jitterbug.
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pronker Jan 2019
Yes, those devices are marvels for the ones who use them frequently! I can imagine not having a clue how to answer one in the beginning. I have a simple phone with no internet, but it texts and talks which suits my purposes. Jitterbug seems to be popular, so I'll look into that, thanks.
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Cell phones can be programmed so that when he presses a certain number, it will call the cab.  I don't remember which one we used for my aunt when she was alone.  Google simple cell phone on computer search.
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pronker Jan 2019
Fine answer, thanks. If the cell works easily with big enough buttons, it ought to be just the ticket.
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Got a Jitterbug for my dad. It's pretty simple. You can input the Lyft or Uber # and make it like "AAA Lyft" and it will pop up first in the phone book. We do that with our kids phone numbers.
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pronker Jan 2019
Excellent, thanks. I've never used either ride service or Jitterbug but it sure sounds the best answer so far.
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You post that spouse has Dementia. Will he be able to learn something new? Will he retain the information?
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pronker Jan 2019
Thanks for replying - I believe he'll have trouble if it's too complex. The state issued a fantastic volume-control home phone that did all one could ask, but the receiver had controls on its side and he kept pushing them when he picked it up. It turned out a bad idea, but the cell, if it's a one-push issue with large enough controls, ought to work. That's the hope thus far in this journey.
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Update: Per the driving test, the DMV revoked/suspended Spouse's license to drive. The instructor told me upon return after the test that he would recommend a retest following driver training, but his superior revoked instead. Superior was the official granting the original interview, which led to the test.

I am now researching Jitterbug more.
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If he's able to make flip-phone calls, there's a web service called ArriveRides.com. You set up an account online, then call for rides like you would an old-school taxi. They then arrange for an Uber or Lyft driver.

It's the only phone-in rideshare service I know of; there may be others. We're trying to get my in-laws set up with them. My FIL has a fancy smartphone he cannot use, while my MIL is capable of learning to use a smartphone, but loves her flip-phone.
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pronker Feb 2019
Thanks, good to know. As long as it's as few calls or clicks as necessary because he's not computer or cell phone literate. Verizon said a data plan would run $40 monthly; I've not priced Jitterbug yet.

I hear your FIL with his unusable phone because the state provided a dandy voice-enhanced house phone that Spouse could not get the hang of and I wound up using as house phone the Med-Pat nursing home phone that my late mother used.
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Update: DMV granted a second chance at driving test on Thursday. The issues are: "California stops" at 7-10 mph through the stop, driving too slowly on the interstate, "fighting the wheel" regarding gripping the steering wheel too tightly. This info comes from a friendly DMV tester who spoke with me after the first test. Last night, upon stating "let's go for a test ride Wednesday just with me", the answer was "no." I told Spouse of the issues and we shall see what unfolds tomorrow.
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If your father is struggling to use a phone, I'd be hesitant ti encourage driving, especially, if he's struggling with that too. Also, people who have dementia have skills that fluctuate daily. He may have a good day, but, then a poor day. I'd base the risks of him driving on the poor days.
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pronker Mar 2019
Thanks for replying. It's Spouse and not parent, and I appreciate the feedback.
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Update: Spouse did well with the on road driving test.
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Great Call (www.greatcall.com) has simple smart phone. Plans are simple with $40 a month for unlimited calls, text, and data. Lots of videos on youtube on how to use the phone too.
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pronker Mar 2019
Thanks very much for your input. This just may work out.
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Unfortunately, as I understand it, a smartphone (plus skills to use it) is required to contact Uber/Lyft directly.

There is a subscription service, ArriveRides(dot)com, where folks can call on any kind of phone (even an old-school landline), and they will arrange for an Uber/Lyft ride. An account does need to be set up first. After that, it's similar to calling a taxi.

I don't know of any other similar services, but I wish I did (they may not be available everywhere). Recently my parents-in-law have used ArriveRides successfully.
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pronker Mar 2019
Thank you for your suggestion. Arriverides operates here, yay.
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Update: Last week Spouse paid the reinstatement fee for his license because he had passed the second driving test. I am grateful for the suggestions on this site re phones.
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