Find Senior Care (City or Zip)
Join Now Log In
B
Bunnymom02 Asked June 2021

How do I resolve this phone issue? Mom is practically deaf and needs captions to read.

Her Captel phone worked for her when she lived in her apartment but now the assisted living facility’s WiFi isn’t strong enough to run it. Her hearing is so bad that unless she can read your lips she can’t hear you. (And no internet service at the assisted living facility.) Help!

JoAnn29 Jun 2021
I just read that there are models that work with landlines. Is there a landline hook up?

Daughterof1947 Jun 2021
Hi!

As a daughter of a hard of hearing mother, I know how hard it is. I have a few suggestions to help.

If the signal isn't strong enough there's equipment that can boost it. The facility should pay for such equipment. There's others at the facility that would benefit.

If they won't boost the signal, there's other options. Is there an Ethernet connection in her room? You buy a router/modem to get internet and connect the equipment to the Ethernet. The equipment isn't very expensive. I got mine at Best Buy. Most electronic stores should have them.

If no Ethernet connection, then next I would suggest a hot spot. The downside of a hotspot is there is a monthly fee like a cellphone. How is cellphone reception in her room? Hotspots get service through cellphone company providers. If there is a good signal then it's an option. You need to pay for the hotspot and the monthly fee. I had one for a while for internet while traveling. It worked well and was worth the fee. I think it was $40 per month but you can probably get a plan for less since it doesn't sound like she won't need much data. I got mine through T-Mobile and paid month to month.

Best of luck!

ADVERTISEMENT


MJ1929 Jun 2021
How on earth does a nursing home not have internet?

That doesn't sound right. Talk to the administrator.

GardenArtist Jun 2021
I would first talk to the Administrator and see if there's anything electrical or engineering related that could provide a higher signal to her room.   This is beyond my knowledge, though, so I can't offer any other insights.

I would think that techies at home might have some options for all the gear and equipment some of them use.   But I have no practical knowledge of this.

However, I'm wondering if this issue was discussed before a contract was signed, and any promises, commitments or even inferences were made that your mother would be able to use a phone w/o changes being made by the facility.

If there's no room for improvement, you may have to reread the contract and see if there are options for breaking it to find a place more suitable.

I hope you can find any easy solution though.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ask a Question

Subscribe to
Our Newsletter