Seniors: Do you hear us now?

Though cellphone companies seemingly saturate the market with advertising, none of the major service providers have tapped into the senior sector of the market by aiming commercials, products or plans toward them.

Realizing the usefulness of cellphones for seniors and how important they can be in emergency situations, Newport Beach resident Jean Stevens organized a panel discussion on the topic, held Wednesday at Oasis Senior Center.

Stevens said when the idea came up at a Computer Friends of Oasis meeting in May, she had no idea it would take so long to put together a program. She said she had a lot of trouble getting through to the various cellphone companies to gauge interest in a panel discussion on cellphones for seniors.

“Even the cellphone companies have not realized what a needed market cellphones for seniors is,� Stevens said.

Of all the companies she contacted, Verizon Wireless was the only one to respond and consequently, the only company present.

Ken Muche, Southern California spokesperson for Verizon Wireless, said the program went well and as a result, Verizon may look into gearing more of its marketing efforts to seniors in the future.

“I think as the market continues to evolve, we’ll see more of this down the line and certainly, we’re doing more as a result of this experience,� Muche said.

He added that the people who attended the Oasis event had concerns regarding their special needs, such as hearing and vision loss and cognitive impairments, as well as general questions about the products and plans available.

“No one ever addresses these particular issues.� Stevens said. “I think we solved some problems for some of the people regarding cellphones.�

She said most of the problems have a solution, especially with some of the newer technology that’s available, such as Bluetooth wireless headsets and voice-activated dialing.

For people who are hard of hearing, even those who wear hearing aids, there are headsets available that are designed to work with hearing aids. There are also amplifiers that can boost the volume and speakerphone options on many of the phones.

For people with vision trouble, the wireless headsets and voice-activated features can work with the touch of one button. There are also phones with large-font options and zoom features.

And for seniors with slight cognitive impairments, many of the phones available are easy to use. Having a mobile phone can be helpful when a person is lost or forgets how to get somewhere.

“Some seniors are on very limited incomes and would definitely like something but can’t afford it,� Stevens said.

Muche said he believes with the wide variety of plans Verizon offers, there is a plan that will work for everyone.

“I think, in many ways, seniors can benefit from a wireless phone as much as anyone else,� he said, adding that many seniors may already have a relative with a Verizon plan and could be incorporated into a family plan at a very low cost.

The most important thing, Stevens said, for seniors to do when shopping for a phone and a plan is to communicate whatever special needs they may have to the salesperson. That way, the salesperson can be sure to help them get the product that’s best-suited for their needs and level of usage.

* LINDSAY SANDHAM is the news assistant. She can be reached at (714) 966-4625 or [email protected].

20051015iodlgvknCOURTENAY NEARBURG / DAILY PILOT(LA)Bill Kull talks with Sally Fletcher about information handed out by a cell phone provider Wednesday during Computer Friends at the Oasis Senior Center.