Simplifying a iphone for elderly person

[macstatic]

Is there a way to (greatly) simplify an iPhone (iPhone 15 Pro/iOS 18.3.1) for an elderly person?
I'm talking about removing/disabling possibilities of messing up the phone's settings (such as turning on "Do not disturb" in the Focus setting) and so on. Basically, removing the more advanced type of settings and things that are more or less hidden (making it hard to troubleshoot issues if you're unsable to be physically there and help the person).

A "senior phone" would of course solve all of this, but most of them are extremely limited which makes them unusable IMHO.

 

[avheatherim]

Set up Assistive Access on iPhone

Set up Assistive Access for a family member or someone you care for and customize it so that iPhone works best for them.

support.apple.com

 

[Reverend Benny]

Is there a way to (greatly) simplify an iPhone (iPhone 15 Pro/iOS 18.3.1) for an elderly person?

I'm talking about removing/disabling possibilities of messing up the phone's settings (such as turning on "Do not disturb" in the Focus setting) and so on. Basically, removing the more advanced type of settings and things that are more or less hidden (making it hard to troubleshoot issues if you're unsable to be physically there and help the person).

A "senior phone" would of course solve all of this, but most of them are extremely limited which makes them unusable IMHO.

I haven't done so myself but I tink there is lots of stuff that you ask for that can be done in screen time.

 

[sunapple]

(making it hard to troubleshoot issues if you're unsable to be physically there and help the person).

FaceTime screen sharing is a great tool to help identify issues when you can't be there in person.

Otherwise I'd simply have one Home Screen with the required apps, remove all non-essential apps and instruct the person where to look and what not to do. But I understand there are different degrees of control required per person, so not sure how much more locked down it should be.

 

[BenGoren]

Alas, there really isn’t a technological solution to dementia.

Even worse … you have much, much more dire things to worry about than the person’s problems with the phone. If it’s progressed to the point that using a phone is such a challenge, it’s also progressed to the point that working in the kitchen is a concern — whether that means just “being lazy” and only eating crackers and ice cream instead of preparing meals, or food rotting ignored on the kitchen table, or even to the point of melting an electric kettle on the stovetop.

And, of course, it’s not just the kitchen. The weeds might be not just overgrown, but dried out and ready to ignite if a careless stranger idiotically flicks a cigarette over the back fence. There’s probably a spare room that’s a dumping ground for “stuff” that’s a serious trip hazard. Finances may well be a mess — both with bills unpaid and, say, an ultimate all-inclusive cable TV subscription with hundreds of channels despite the TV being glued to an over-the-air station.

And, if the air conditioning goes out on a dangerously hot day, the person might try to just sweat it out with a wet towel and a fan.

(Yes, I write from personal experience.)

So … find somebody trustworthy to help this person with the phone … but as an excuse to make sure that this person is safe, period. That might mean regularly-scheduled visits from a social worker, or in-home care, or even assisted living.

But the phone is just the tip of the iceberg. And I know without doubt that you really don’t want to look under the waves at the rest of the iceberg and realize just how big it is … but … not looking isn’t going to make it any smaller, and the sooner you do something about it, the less bad the eventual disaster.

b&

 

[macstatic]

Set up Assistive Access on iPhone

Set up Assistive Access for a family member or someone you care for and customize it so that iPhone works best for them.

support.apple.com

Yes! I think this might be the solution. Thanks for sharing.
I found another page with more info/pictures here: iPhone senior mode: a guide to Assistive Access.
Looking good, but I hope it won't be too limiting or too different (in a confusing way) to the "regular" iOS layout.

If it turns out to not be what I expected, is it possible to revert back to the previous "regular" iOS layout and things will be exactly as we left it, or will all my efforts from before (apps organization into different folders, screens etc.) be the same, or will essentially the phone be reset meaning I have to start all over again configuring all that?

I haven't done so myself but I tink there is lots of stuff that you ask for that can be done in screen time.

I have experience with Screen Time, but my in experience it's better suited to restrict or limit a user's (generally a child's) access to apps, and not generally to make the phone simpler. Nevertheless I'm not ruling it out and appreciate the suggestion!

FaceTime screen sharing is a great tool to help identify issues when you can't be there in person.

Is there a screen sharing option in Facetime? I didn't know about that, so I've just looked it up and found this, and tried it out: Share your screen in Facetime on your iPhone or iPad.
Very cool! That could be very useful for trying to help out when you can't be there to do it, although a "remote desktop" feature would be even better (so I could actually do the swiping/pressing/selecting). Still, this is a great step up and beats the guessing game of helping across a phone conversation! Thanks for letting me know about this feature!!

Otherwise I'd simply have one Home Screen with the required apps, remove all non-essential apps and instruct the person where to look and what not to do. But I understand there are different degrees of control required per person, so not sure how much more locked down it should be.

Yes, I already did this a while back: uncluttered the home-screen with just the most essential apps, then the more infrequently used apps on the next screen. Finally I placed the unused apps in a folder to "hide" them and uncomplicate things.
I agree with what you say about the level of locking it down though, and it's hard to determine the balance of usability and restriction. It's tricky in this day and age where you really can't do much of anything without at least having a smartphone and have some web and email experience.
Either that or you need to have people physical close in order to help with everyday digital tasks -especially when technology acts up.

Alas, there really isn’t a technological solution to dementia.

But the phone is just the tip of the iceberg.

I appreciate you sharing this because you're absolutely right of course.
Fortunately things haven't progressed this far, so for the time being it's more that when the wrong setting has been selected etc. it's with great difficulty that I can attempt to help (remotely) to set things right again, which is why I've started looking into ways of avoiding those situations in the first place.

 

[August West]

Alas, there really isn’t a technological solution to dementia.

So you automatically assume if a person doesn't have the technical knowledge to operate a modern phone they have dementia?

 

[BenGoren]

So you automatically assume if a person doesn't have the technical knowledge to operate a modern phone they have dementia?

The original post by macstatic explicitly gave an example of “an elderly person” who has an history of turning on Do Not Disturb and not knowing how to turn it back off again.

If that doesn’t scream, “dementia,” to you, then consider yourself very fortunate to never have had significant interaction with a loved one suffering from dementia.

But, may I suggest?

When — not if, but when — you have to help an elderly person with something ubiquitous and uncomplicated, especially if it’s something that person has been comfortable with in the past, do please consider the possibility that it could be a sign of dementia. Not necessarily to the point of “take away the car keys,” of course! But, if nothing else, think of it as an early warning that the time is coming, far sooner than anybody wants or possibly even truly realizes, that the person’s days of independence and even competence are numbered. At a bare minimum, start having those difficult conversations, “while you’re still healthy to make sure we’re all on the same page if things ever get bad.”

I’m not referring to having to go on a treasure hunt for your keys, or forgetting somebody’s name, or even being slow to figure out the latest feature of some new gadget.

But … if it’s too difficult even to follow directions over the phone to swipe down to the control center and turn off Do Not Disturb … yeah, that’s extremely worrisome.

b&

 

[tbgb50]

FWIW I went through this with my wife in her 70s. I removed almost everything from the home screen (notes, reminders, wallet, etc.) and did not show her there are multiple home pages. I setup her contacts and 5 favorites with photos. Took responsibility for running OS and app updates.

 

[macstatic]

When — not if, but when — you have to help an elderly person with something ubiquitous and uncomplicated, especially if it’s something that person has been comfortable with in the past, do please consider the possibility that it could be a sign of dementia. Not necessarily to the point of “take away the car keys,” of course! But, if nothing else, think of it as an early warning

This is bang on! And describes the situation accurately.
It's so much better to be pro-active than finding out too late!

"Assistive Access" does sound like a solution to someone who's able to handle a smartphone, but can just as easily get confused and press something they shouldn't etc.
I'd like to give it a go the next time I visit, but it would be helpful to be prepared and know if it's possible to revert back to the normal setup without losing all the previous settings or not. Anyone tried it out?

 

[BenGoren]

To exit assistive access, you triple-click the power button (or the home button if the phone has one), then enter the passcode that you created when you set up assistive access in the first place.

At which point it’s as if you never turned it on in the first place.

In general, Apple is really good about these sorts of things, especially in the realm of accessibility. Turn it on, turn it off. For anything with a security-ish component to it (including, for example, screen time), there’s also a passcode of some sort.

b&

 

[macstatic]

To exit assistive access, you triple-click the power button (or the home button if the phone has one), then enter the passcode that you created when you set up assistive access in the first place.

At which point it’s as if you never turned it on in the first place.

That's great news! So nothing to loose when deciding to give it a go. Thanks for sharing 👍

 

[TechRunner]

This thread has been extremely helpful to me. Thank you to all who have contributed. My 83 year-old MIL has used/been comfortable with iPhones for years, but now has difficulty sending a proper text, confusing messaging with FaceTime or email on a regular basis. That's just one example. She used to brag about knowing her iPhone, but now it's just a constant frustration for her.

You're correct about the signs of dementia, @BenGoren. Her slide into confusion with her phone is definitely not just age-related forgetfulness. There are other signs as well in her daily life.

I've looked into it, and Assistive Access sounds like the right move for her, if I can convince her to give it a whirl.

 

[macstatic]

We had another "incident"
The ringing sound had been turned off by accident, which turned out to be an unnoticed pressing of the iPhone's mute side-button. Will enabling Assistive Access make it possible to remove this kind of function (and other possibilities of accidently enabling a certain mode or setting)?

 

[BenGoren]

We had another "incident"
The ringing sound had been turned off by accident, which turned out to be an unnoticed pressing of the iPhone's mute side-button. Will enabling Assistive Access make it possible to remove this kind of function (and other possibilities of accidently enabling a certain mode or setting)?

I don’t think Assistive Access will do much, but why not assign the button’s function to something more benign?

b&

 

[jlc1978]

The original post by macstatic explicitly gave an example of “an elderly person” who has an history of turning on Do Not Disturb and not knowing how to turn it back off again.

It is easy to accidentally turn a feature off or on, no matter your age. If you don’t use that capability often you may remember how to change the phone back.

As the iPhone’s feature set grew, so did its complexity.

If that doesn’t scream, “dementia,” to you, then consider yourself very fortunate to never have had significant interaction with a loved one suffering from dementia.

I have, and while there are many signs not being able to remember how to turn a feature off is not high on my list. It certainly is one thing to consider as a sign, but certainly not conclusive.

 

[macstatic]

I don’t think Assistive Access will do much, but why not assign the button’s function to something more benign?

Silly question, but how do I reassign that button to something else (or even better: assign it to do nothing)?

 

[jlc1978]

Silly question, but how do I reassign that button to something else (or even better: assign it to do nothing)?

Setting - Action Button
You can set that to no action or any number of different choices.