Savvy Living

"What types of simple cellphones can you recommend to seniors that are easy to use and don't have all the bells and whistles? My 77-year-old mother has had a cell phone for two years but never uses it because she finds it too confusing."

While smartphones garner most of the attention in the mobile phone world today, there are still a number of companies that offer simplified cell phones. These phones are specifically designed for boomers and seniors who only need to make and receive calls. Here are some top options to consider.

Senior-Friendly Phones

Created by GreatCall nearly six years ago, the Jitterbug (greatcall.com, 800-733-6632) continues to be one of the best senior-friendly cellphones on the market. This custom designed Samsung flip-phone offers a big numerical keypad that lights up, extra-large text on a brightly colored screen and "YES" and "NO" buttons to access the phone's options versus confusing icons.

It also offers voice dialing, an ear cushion that cups around your ear to improve sound quality, a powerful speakerphone, a 24-hour Jitterbug operator who can place calls for you and optional features like voicemail, texting, medication reminders, 5Star personal security service, a live nurse service to answer your health questions any time, night or day and more. The Jitterbug J sells for $99 with a one-time $35 activation fee, no-contract, and calling plans that start as low as $15 per month.

If you're looking for something a little less expensive, the Doro PhoneEasy 410 sold through Consumer Cellular (consumercellular.com, 888-345-5509) is also an excellent option. This flip phone offers a large separated keypad with a bright easy-to-read color display screen and huge text. Other features include a vibrating ringer, easy text messaging, a two-way speakerphone and a one-touch emergency SOS button on the back of the phone to contact help when needed.

The Doro 410 sells for $25 with service plans starting at $10 per month, a one-time $35 activation fee and no long-term contract. They even give a 5% monthly service discount to AARP members.

Two other senior-friendly phones to check out are the Just 5 (just5.com, 800-709-0509) that costs $90 and the new Clarity Pal (clarityproducts.com, 800-426-3738) for $100. Both of these cellphones have big buttons, amplified sound, a "talk back" feature that speaks numbers as they are dialed and an "SOS" button that can automatically call your emergency contacts if needed. Both are sold as "unlocked" phones which means they can be used on any GSM network like AT&T or T-Mobile.

Shared Plan Options

Another option you might want to consider is to get your mom a simple cellphone through your cellphone provider. Most carriers - including AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile - still offer basic cell phones for people who like things simple.

This option is also very affordable. An extra line can be added to your family shared plan for around $10 per month and the cost for this kind of phone is very low. Here are some of the best basic cellphones that are recommended by the different carriers.

If you're an AT&T customer, the Pantech Breeze III, which costs $30, is a good choice for seniors. It has a big spacious keypad, a bright display screen, large fonts, offers voice command capability, and three "one-touch" easy access keys located below the phone's display screen. It also has both an easy and advanced mode to suit customers with different comfort levels.

For Verizon users, consider the LG Revere. Retailing for $80, this is a basic flip-phone that has a bright 2-inch display screen and offers one-touch access to three emergency numbers, voicemail, speakerphone and voice commands.

If you're a Sprint customer, the M370 by Samsung is recommended and it's currently free. And T-Mobile users should consider the $30 Samsung t259.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Senior" book. The articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization's official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.