I retired 6 years ago and I promised myself no stress, hassle or interruptions from calls on a mobile phone and so I dumped my phone along with my watch and said that I would do what I liked, when I liked and for as long as I liked with nothing to determine when I had to stop what I was doing as long as it suited me. I’ve got to say on the most part it has been fabulous, but now my sons are mithering me to get a phone so they can contact me when they need to and so that if I am in an accident or have an emergency I can contact someone. Coming up to 70, it has now got me thinking should I or shouldn’t I get a mobile phone. Anyone else without a mobile ? Do you think I should get one Now ?
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That sounds like a good reason to me. 
(I just have a dumb phone not a smart one)
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Agree with John - just get a dumb phone and not a ‘smart’ one - handy to have around, in case of emergency.
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I agree absolutely, like the others I use a dumb phone no need for a smart phone.
Mine is just used for text and emergencies, anything can happen, any time, so it gives me a sense of security
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I have no mobile phone.no need when talking to oneself. too expensive anyway
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I’d say go for it but get yourself a smartphone. There’s no need to connect to the internet. You can use it for telephoning only. But the big advantage would be that you can use its internet functions whenever it feels right for you.
The price won’t be an issue for you I read and there’re cheap entry-level devices anyway. And one more thing: your sons would pick the right model for you.
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It’s surprising how many people have got themselves out of a ‘sticky’ situation with the help of their smartphone.
Go for it i say - you never know when you may need it.
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I’m dumb too and just use a basic one on PAYG.
Even so many places didn’t pester for a contact number I wouldn’t even bother with that.
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I take a dumb phone put on my walks for emergencies, but I take my smartphone out while driving, Green Flag know exactly where I am and will provide help in the event of a breakdown.
Back in the day I wasn’t with any motoring organisation, a comprehensive box of tools in the boot was everything I needed to get me rolling again after a breakdown. These days I don’t recognise anything under the bonnet and wouldn’t like to mess with it anyway.
I used to do all my banking on the laptop, getting into my account was horrendous, passwords and customer numbers did my head in, but using the smartphone it’s so easy to check my account and pay bills without leaving my armchair.
I also have the NHS app and can access my records and make appointments, which is handy when you are carrying a pacemaker/defibrillator around in my shoulder following three heart attacks.
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I had heart failure a few years back so can understand the caution on that side, I was fortunate in that different prescription concoctions and a complete revamp of my old habits of drinking, smoking and generally pushing all the limits has sorted me out for the time being but that nagging doubt about the ticker is always there now and of course just not being able to do what I use to be able to do…and admitting it to myself !
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Hi
I will continue the reasons for having a smart phone for health reasons.
I have unstable angina and decompensated Hart Failure.
No more Surgical Interventions, No Pacemakers and the life saving Meds are starting to not work as well as they did.
I need my mobile with me at all times, I have What 3 Words on it and take it to the bathroom with me.
Pressing one button on it, or if inside at home, dials 999 and gives out the keysafe number so people can get to me.
It is literally a lifesaver for me.
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I wouldn’t be without my smart phone they are brilliant.
Camera, diary, map, GPS, Internet, shopping list, car finder, bank, bus/train/ferry timetable, parcel/package/delivery tracker, calculator, calendar, MP3 player, weather forecaster/radar, gameboy, radio, newspaper, email and phone. All in your pocket!
Only needs charging every three or four days, is its own wifi, can be a wifi hotspot, connects to bluetooth headphones, soundbar or TV.
Wouldn’t leave home without it. Who wants to live in the dark ages?
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That to me sounds horrendous…What would you do if you lost your phone or it was stolen ? You are relying almost completely on you phone and it’s sounds like it dictates how you run your day/life. I think I would much prefer the “dark ages” than that, to quote from a Mel Gibson film “Freedom !”
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I’d do what any sensible person would do, just go out and buy a new one they are freely available. When I bought this one I think it took all of 10 minutes to replicate the old phone it replaced
Why on earth do you think it dictates my life? That is absurd, it is a tool, just like a computer, electric drill, washing machine or a car, I use it when I need to, it makes life so much easier.
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I think a proper smart phone is the best toy a pensioner can have. There is no limit to what it can do, but you may have to pay extra for an app or two. I have never bought an app but I have loads of free ones on my phone.
Using your brain should not be a stressful activity. @rcs60h be a devil and surprise your sons by taking photos of random things you see throughout the day and texting them to your sons, with cryptic notes attached. Let them know you are alive and very much kicking. I do it and I’m coming up to 75, learning something new every day.
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As one who has never quite understood anything prefixed
“Smart”.
The perceived definition being.
Smart from top to toe: Haircut to Poished shoes.
Downside.
Badgered with. “Get One Dad”. "How are we going to know if you’ve snuffed it "
So two or three tried and tested,
Pressing a key, 3 letters come up.
“Here’s a pointer stick, Dad”.
Pressing a key and 2 letters came up.
Spelling remained chronic and Binned. PDQ.
Upside.
Decided to Outsmart. “Smart”.
They sent a neat handheld “Motorola Android Phone”. That has never felt an intrusive SIM. Card.
It can patiently short-word the browser. When away or shut down. DT
Access to emails, etc. Responded to when back on the DT.
Touch one of 3 keys. “Emergency Alert” to nominated recipients.
Landline calls to follow.
As with a BT bundle. Any Router/WiFi activity. Freely monitored by Dr “Norton”.
Family signing off with. “Solved”.
(And could be a route for the OT).
“This drama wouldn’t have happened in your 80s, Daddio”.
If your fingers weren’t the size of a >> Yeti.
>> 
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I didn’t have a mobile phone, then my daughter upgraded hers & gave me her old one, it is a smart phone but she signed me to the basic tariff & I can make calls, text & go on FB. I can also take photo’s & she showed me how to put those, if I want, on to FB.
I am getting as bad as she is & using it on FB when we go out. 
I really only need it if I want to get in touch with her when we are at car boot sales & we aren’t walking around together, but it is fun to be able to go on FB anywhere instead of only at home on my home PC,
RSC do get one, for emergencies if nothing else, but remember to charge it regularly, I didn’t at first.
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My son tells me that anything “smart” is an invasion of privacy. Whether they already know about you or not, you will agree to their privacy policy meaning you have no privacy.
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How can you replicate everything if you have lost it or had it stolen, banking, diary, photos, the others I would say were incidental and would easily become distractions.
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