As we and our parents age, the tables often start to turn. Rather than them worrying about us and our well-being, we start to worry about them – sometimes a LOT! We want them to be happy and independent and we want them to be SAFE!
As my Mom gets older, I’m impressed at how active and capable she is in her retirement years. She keeps very busy with volunteer activities, looking after my nephew and with fun things like travel and hobbies. But, even though she is so capable I still worry because I know the chances of an accident happening or her needing help in an emergency increase every year.
VTech understands this concern and is helping to keep seniors independent in their homes with their new CareLine™ home safety telephone system. This awesome phone system uses features like large displays, reminder capabilities, volume boost and a wearable pendant with one-button dialing that can directly call people that seniors communicate with most.
I recently received a VTech CareLine™ home safety telephone system to test out with my Mom. Mom hates dealing with technology, so I went to her house to set it up. While it did take me a while to get through everything, in large part that was due to the fact that the system has so many different features. Mom could have figured it out if she took her time and went through the instructions step-by-step, but I was glad that I could do it for her – and so was she!
All-in-all she loves the new phone and so do I. There are lots of practical reasons for her to like it. It has handy photo speed dial buttons so she can store her four most frequently-used numbers and identify them for one button dialing. This is also helpful because when she watches my 4-year-old nephew he would be able to easily dial one of those numbers in an emergency. One of the buttons is dedicated to 911 in case of an emergency.
Besides the easy dialing from the photo buttons, she also has one-touch dialing on the included wearable pendant. It has two speed dial-keys that correspond to the first two numbers programmed on the base unit. We have them set up to call either 911 or my sister. We tested out calling her and it is amazing at how clear the sound is through the pendant. My sister said that we sounded even clearer than on Mom’s old regular phone! Plus through the pendant you can also listen to voicemail messages, review missed calls, confirm the date and time or receive programmed reminders for medication, appointments or other events. And it works for up to 600 feet from the base unit, so she can even go out in the yard and still have quick access to the phone.
There are lots of other features that are super cool on this system. It has lights that flash when the phone is ringing, which is great for those that are hard of hearing. It has lots of options for each feature so you can set different sounds, message options, and much more. Some of the other features include:
- Large buttons and displays with full duplex speakerphones on all three devices: the corded phone, handset and pendant
- Voice commands and one-button dialing with the safety pendant to reach preferred contacts
- Audio Assist® that temporarily increases volume for easier hearing on calls
- Visual ringing indicator and Voice Announce® caller ID, so calls won’t be missed
- Audio and visual cues for programed reminders
- Photo speed dial on the corded phone for quick reference of frequently dialed numbers
The system is very reasonably priced with an ARV of $119.95. Plus, there are NO MONTHLY FEES. You can also get an additional pendant or an additional cordless handset for $29.95 each.
Overall we are more than pleased with the VTech CareLine™ home safety telephone system. Mom is happy with all the features and ease of use. My sister and I have gained much peace of mind in that we know Mom has easy access to communicate with us or 911 in an emergency. Everyone is happy!
Reader Giveaway: TWO lucky Thrifty Jinxy readers will each win their own VTech CareLine™ home safety telephone system. To enter, just complete the entry form below by 3/31/13. Good luck!
Disclosure: I wrote this blog post while participating in a campaign by BOOMboxNetwork.com on behalf VTech Communications, Inc. I received compensation and this system to facilitate my review. All opinions stated within are my own.
shashaJ says
my great aunt & great grand mother live together they would appreciate this!
peg42 says
I love this idea and I love that there are no additional monthly costs. I would love to get one of these for both my 93 year old Aunt, who lives on here own. Also, my father in law lives on his own and this would put my mind to ease. I really worry about either one falling down the stairs that they have in their homes. I’ve suggested to both to get the system that you have to pay monthly for, but both don’t want the extra expense with being on a limited budget. I never knew that there was a system like this available. What a great idea.
Thanks so much.
rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com
Lexi Gray says
This would be perfect for my mom who has Macular Degeneration.
Nikki Krutz says
this would be great for my grandma who is home alone during the day alot
Carolyn says
I’m a widow and live alone. This would be perfect for me!
abfantom says
My husband’s grandfather could use the VTech CareLine home safety telephone. He often has problems using his current phone.
abfantom at yahoo dot com
clc408 says
Now that my parents are in their 80’s, I would feel better if they had something like this.
Space Monkey says
it would be for ME!! ME! I’m “the” gramma.. I do watch kids. I have fallen down my own stairs already.. twice. I’m real careful now……..um- like not carrying so much down them- keep one hand free for the rail? but I would like this phoneset.. awesome!
wigget says
my mom. we’d know if she needed help
llinda29 says
would like the large buttons for my hubby
Sharon Kaminski says
me and my husband, it would give a sense of security
Middle-aged Diva (Carol) says
They’ve thought of everything!
Geek Girl says
This is a great phone system!
Dixieland Deals says
My mom could really use this, she has severe diabetes, high blood pressure and the beginnings of lung cancer. She is home alone 90% of the time and lives way out in the country. This would ease my mind a great deal.
Michele P. says
my mom has had 1 knee reconstruction and is due for the other one, she is really slow to get around and has already taken a fall in her home. She is pretty ornery when it comes to staying in a rehab facility more than she should… so I think the wearable pendant would be a perfect feature for her with this system.
Sandra Davis says
my mom …. she is really accident prone lately and he lives alone…this would be great for him
sandradavis07 at comcast dot net
Heather! says
My grandmother needs a phone like this! Just having all the buttons large and clearly marked would be a huge improvement, but the Audio Assist feature would also be fantastic!
Thanks!
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
mary casper says
It would benefit my mom. I worry about her she is 85 and lives alone
cathycasper@hughes.net
Danielle Whitfield says
I live in South Carolina, and my grandparents live in Pennsylvania. I am slotted to care for them, but cannot get them to move closer YET…if I won I would surely send this to them so that I would feel a little safer until I can get them here.
Ken Ohl says
my mother could really use this lots of health issues and lives alone. thankyou, ken pohl19@comcast.net
Diane52 says
This would be helpful for hubby’s mom, who lives alone in Austin
Diane Baum
esldiane@gmail.com
Deb Christie says
My Mom needs this phone.
Sharon Lambirth says
Awesome to have as we get older too!
Lynne says
My 90 yr. old dad. He had a mild stroke last year and I worry that something will happen when I’m not home or during the night when I won’t hear him since my apartment is upstairs from his part of the house.
candy says
This would be great for my 91 year old step dad who is alone and independent wilcarvic
[at]gmail[dot[com]]