Simple cell phone for spouse to use to call Uber or Lyft?

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pronker Asked January 2019

Simple cell phone for spouse to use to call Uber or Lyft?

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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score 1 · Answer 1

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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score 1 · Answer 2

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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Thank you for your suggestion. Arriverides operates here, yay.

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score 1 · Answer 3

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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Thanks very much for your input. This just may work out.

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score 1 · Answer 4

Update: Spouse did well with the on road driving test.

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score 2 · Answer 5

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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Thanks for replying. It's Spouse and not parent, and I appreciate the feedback.

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score 1 · Answer 6

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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score 2 · Answer 7

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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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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score 1 · Answer 8

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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score 2 · Answer 9

You post that spouse has Dementia. Will he be able to learn something new? Will he retain the information?

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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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score 2 · Answer 10

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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Excellent, thanks. I've never used either ride service or Jitterbug but it sure sounds the best answer so far.

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score 1 · Answer 11

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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Fine answer, thanks. If the cell works easily with big enough buttons, it ought to be just the ticket.

(1)

score 1 · Answer 12

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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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.

(1)

Simple cell phone for spouse to use to call Uber or Lyft?

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