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Alzheimer's & Dementia
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Product Listing – Auto On Hook Phone (still rings when phone is left off hook)



"Amplified Cordless Phone A55"



"Amplifying Speakerphone WCSC600"

Photos Courtesy of Clearsounds, Inc.


MANUFACTURER
Clearsounds
COST
$120 - $150
VENDORS
Clearsounds
DISCLAIMER
The listing of these products is for informational purposes and individuals must use their own caution and judgment when using these resources. Functional levels and changes in judgment and reasoning are highly variable in people with dementia. Interventions must be individualized and continually assessed because those that are effective for some individuals may only work briefly and may not work at all for others.
DESCRIPTION
This type of phone is for individuals who leave the phone off the hook. They have a special "Auto on-Hook" feature that allows incoming calls even when the phone is off the hook; though it can take up to 30 minutes for the feature to kick in after the phone is left off the hook. This feature is best used when there are two phones in the household - only one has to have the "Auto on-Hook" feature.

1) Even though the phone that was left off the hook will ring, in order to speak and hear on the phone, the hook must still be depressed and then released. (The "hook" is the button under the handset that hangs up the phone).

2) The second phone, the one not left off the hook, will ring and function normally – the person only needs to pick up the phone when it rings.

Added bonus: This phone has large letters, volume control, and a loud ring.

TIP: If the phone has too many buttons and is confusing to the person – put masking tape or paper over the numbers.

We have not tested these models, but we did test the model that the WCSC600 is based on.

Product Selection Criteria

Our goal is to teach you how to be a good consumer and to help you learn about specific products and unique product features that may enhance your safety and the safety and function of the person with dementia. The products shown in This Caring Home serve as examples only. Manufacturers continually change product specifications and the products represented may be different from those now on the market.

We realize this is not an all-inclusive list. Products featured in This Caring Home were chosen for one or more of the following reasons:
  • Affordability
  • Attractiveness
  • Availability
  • Color selection
  • Ease of use
  • Quality
  • Safety
We encourage you to discuss product selection with other caregivers and health care professionals.


How We Tested

"ThisCaringHome.org tested many products that are commonly recommended for best practices to identify the best use of these products and any potential problems in their use by caregivers and individuals with dementia. Each product included in an Expert Review was tested in a home environment, either an apartment or a single family home (or both), by at least two people. Rosemary Bakker, interior designer, gerontologist and dementia specialist, was one of the testers for every product. Whenever possible, we tested the product over time, sometimes days, weeks, or months, for:
  • Ease of use
  • Reliability
  • Potential safety issues
As a result of our testing, we're listing the pros and cons for using these products and including safety precautions for various products. These products were not tested by persons with dementia. We hope in the future to do case studies to learn more about what works and what doesn't work in a larger variety of caregiving situations and home environments."

Products listed on our website but not tested by ThisCaringHome.org are referred to as "Product Listings".


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