Landline Phones
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Easier dialling
There are landline phones with photo buttons (as well as large number buttons). The photo buttons have clear plastic covers that can be removed to put your photo and/or name inside and then re-covered, and you can set your number to be called when that button is pressed.
Try to avoid designs that have too many other buttons visible, as these are confusing and if pressed accidentally could reset the programmed numbers (you could tape something over the special buttons and the volume control once set).
Putting back on the hook
There can be problems with the phone being left off the hook, meaning that you can't phone them and also they can't phone you because the line has 'timed out' and isn't looking for dial tones. Some phones may seat more easily than others, but if you're not having any problems then it's best not to change the phone they're familiar with.
Things that may help
Matching stripes on handset and base
If you find there are problems with the phone being left off the hook then you could try taping a coloured stripe across the back of the handset and one either side on the base of the phone, so that they form a line when put down correctly.
We'd suggest putting the line near the earpiece end, so that it isn't covered by their hand as the handset is being put back down, but if the 'hook' button that cuts off the line is at the mouthpiece end then perhaps use another line of a different colour at that end, to make sure the handset isn't put down at an angle.
Photographic guide
It could also be useful to make a guide photograph of the phone put down correctly, with simple directions as to what to do. The guide could also say that if they can't get the phone to work then hold the 'hook' button down for a second before letting it go and trying again (with a photo to show them where the hook button is).
Visiting carers
If your loved one has visiting carers, then it's useful to ask them to check that the phone's been put down correctly. If you have difficulties getting through because the phone is often left off the hook, then you could ask them to phone you so you can have a chat with your loved one. That also helps you check that a visit hasn't been missed and that they're arriving at a reasonable time.
Equipment with a warning message
The 'trueCall secure' nuisance call blocker has a repeating message if the phone is left off the hook. However, this continues indefinitely, and if the person can't understand what the message means, or what's not right in how they've tried to put it on the hook, then repeating it forever won't help and is likely to become very annoying or distressing. We've suggested to the manufacturer that there should be a limit to the number of times it repeats.
Multiple phones
If there's more than one landline phone, then any one of the phones being off the hook will cause problems.
If there are any phones that won't be used then consider removing them and leaving a sign saying where the nearest phone is. However, if your loved one is used to, for example, a phone in the bedroom and one in the day room then it would probably be best not to change that (especially since in that example it might lead to them going downstairs whilst sleepy).
Cordless landline phones
Cordless landline phones have the advantage of cutting off the line when they're put back on their charging cradle, but unless someone's already used to them then it's more likely that they won't be put back, in which case it may be difficult to find them and also their battery will run out. So, as with many things, if they're already using them successfully then keep them, but otherwise changing to them is likely to be unsuccessful.
We haven't found a cordless phone that has photo buttons for easier dialling and that gets good reviews.
Alarm / telecare systems
If an alarm / telecare system uses the landline, it's important that it's connected correctly so that it still works while the phone is in use or has been left off the hook - see our section on telecare phone connections.
Nuisance calls
For someone with dementia, receiving a 'cold call' offering services or products that aren't wanted can be confusing and disruptive. Worse still, there are criminals who try to get bank details from anyone they find is old and vulnerable. See our section on post and telephone safety for how to reduce these calls and how to block unwanted calls that still come in. Also see our section on getting an alert if a large amount is taken out of a bank account.
Alarm / telecare landline setup
If an alarm / telecare system uses the landline, it's important that it's connected correctly so that it still works while the phone is in use or has been left off the hook - see our section on telecare phone connections.