Simplified Phones for the Elderly

Paris has yet to compile a final death toll from the heat wave, which pummeled France and much of Europe with temperatures up to 104. But the preliminary toll is staggering: 11,435 deaths in France alone, with the elderly the hardest hit, according to Newdays.

A report commissioned by the Health Ministry and released in September pointed to lack of coordination, lethargic methods of compiling death statistics and the inability to handle a large-scale geriatrics crisis.

One politician has come up with an idea, Renaud Dutreil, Secretary of State to Small Businesses has suggested the launch of a simple cell phone, a «Soliphone», with an enlarged keyboad and pictogrames and offered at a low monthly rate.

Mobile telematics company Benefon seems to have responded to such a need, with the launch in (Australia) of a new cell phone which combines a GSM/GPS alert system. Called «Benefon Seraph», it's meant to be a "guardian angel" phone. Ultra simplified with only 3 buttons, it allows for direct dialing to predefined numbers, according to (French) Mobicity.

emily | 9:35 AM | Technology |
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