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When your senior parent starts to show signs of a bit less energy, but still prizes their independence, you can often help by “just being there.” It might be easier to pick up grocery items for on your own, while quickly running errands, since juggling the Sandwich Generation issues of life can keep you extremely busy. When you do that, though your elderly parents lose an opportunity to get out of the house, see other people, and enjoy a bit of normal-ness.
Instead, how about taking them with you and picking a store you enjoy window shopping at or one that offers a seating area where you can work while they enjoy shopping. If they wear out, they can easily call you on their Jitterbug cell phones for senior citizens and you’re only a minute or two away from helping them.
In fact, did you know you can even shop for Jitterbug cell phones for seniors at Walmart (both in the store AND online)? That phone has been such a great option for my senior mom! She has enjoyed many times of fun meandering through the aisles, picking out the items she needs and wants. I do my shopping, put it away, then settle down at one of the tables to work. I always have a shorthand notebook handy to write articles. I use my iPhone to check my email. And since I have the Kindle app on my iPhone plus always carry my iPod, I’m never without books to read or listen to. Sometimes I can even find a plug to keep my iPhone nicely charged as I busily work away.
The bottom line – thanks to my iPhone and my senior mom’s willingness and ability to use one of the Jitterbug simple cell phones for senior citizens (personally, we think Jitterbug is the best cell phone for seniors due to its ease of use, large size, and the fact that it comes as a flip phone which means no accidental calls), I can be just as productive at Walmart and McDonald’s as I can be at home, sometimes more. I get some of my best ideas there – like this article. 🙂
For a member of the Sandwich Generation dealing with the issues of caring for elderly parents while juggling activities for grandparents and their grandchildren with writing and blogging, that’s definitely a blessing and an encouragement, for both my senior mom and myself!
Kaye
Jitterbug Simple Cell Phones for Senior Citizens Mean A More Productive Sandwich Generation! via … http://tinyurl.com/28ybafh
RT @SandwichINK: New at SandwichINK:: Jitterbug Simple Cell Phones for Senior Citizens Mean A More Productive Sandwich Generation! http://bit.ly/biZBL8
Hi Amydeanne 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
ha! never mind for you, how about for mom’s who have read it from babies who keep swiping it? LOL.. j/king. Looks very cool though!
RT @SandwichINK: Jitterbug Simple Cell Phones for Senior Citizens Mean A More Productive Sandwich Generation! http://is.gd/bJXMj
Thanks for that post about cell phones again, Dear. I am using a very cheap one now that I really don’t like. But I only have to pay $20 every 3 months. I will think about that Jitterbug though. I shop at Wal-Mart, since I retired from working there for 14 years. I do save money there on medicine and groceries. The only problem is, I spend too much when I go to pick up medicine! Happy Valentine’s Day!
I know the feeling, Cathy. I walk into any store for one thing and walk about with a BUNCH! And if a grandkid goes with me – oyyyyy.
The Jitterbug senior-friendly cell phone is great and doesn’t require a contract. And they do offer a cheaper monthly option if you rarely use it – though you do have to purchase the phone up front. But as long as you are comfortable using cell phones, you should be fine to use anything. My elderly mom just didn’t want to try to figure out a lot of technical goodies. The Jitterbug cell phones for seniors is wonderful in its simplicity. No camera, very few apps – and those are more like reminders, no nothing else. Just 10 keys and an operator if you really want the extra help. Great for senior citizens who are not used to tech or don’t like it. 🙂 You, though, are doing excellent with tech and your blog. 🙂 🙂 🙂 Of course, one extra advantage to the Jitterbug is – the less there is to a cell phone the less there is to go wrong. 🙂
I love that so many mobile companies are considering the older generation, and these phones like the Jitterbug and SVC are great for younger children as well.