Best Landline Phone Service for Seniors: Affordable & Reliable Options

There are two main types of landline phone services for seniors: traditional and virtual landline services. Both offer different benefits depending on their needs and preferences.

Traditional landline service uses copper wires to carry analog signals, connecting them to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). This service relies on physical connections. It’s powered by electricity from the phone line, making it a reliable choice, even during power outages. If the seniors are used to the classic landline experience, this type will feel familiar.

Virtual landline services utilize a virtual phone number and operate through an internet connection. They can also run on mobile data, offering more flexibility. With a virtual landline, elderly people can make and receive calls just like with a traditional phone. Moreover, it often includes extra features, such as call forwarding and voicemail, and they can take calls from multiple devices, like their smartphone or computer.

1. Consumer Cellular: Best for Affordable Home Phone
2. Community Phone: Best for No-Internet Home Phone
3. Calilio: Best for VoIP with Call Management Features
4. AT&T Landline: Best for Unlimited Local Calls
5. CenturyLink: Best for Affordable Traditional Landline & Fiber-Optic Service
6. Xfinity Voice: Best for Home Phone Bundled with Internet & TV
7. US Mobile: Best for Customizable Landline Plans
8. Vonage: Best for International Calls
9. Verizon Landline: Best for Nationwide Traditional Service

Consumer Cellular is one of the best phone services for the elderly. Its Wireless Home Phone Base is an affordable option for them. If they already have a landline phone number, it can be transferred to the Wireless Home Phone Base. This process can take up to five days or more. During that time, outgoing calls can be made immediately. But incoming calls will still be routed through their old service.

The mobile virtual network operator offers a 5% discount for AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) members. All of its plans offer unlimited talk and text with flexible data plans. They’re also contract-free, so seniors won’t be tied down by long-term commitments.

Pricing and Plans (Per month)

1. $20 with 1 GB of data
2. $25 with 5 GB of data
3. $45 with 20 GB of data
4. $50 with unlimited data

Community Phone is another reliable provider offering landline phone service for seniors. It’s a simple option for those who prefer a traditional landline phone as its home phone base doesn’t require internet or WiFi. The service also works continuously even during power outages. Moreover, the communication provider works with both corded and cordless handsets.

Community Phone’s features include a built-in spam and scam call blocker that eliminates 99% of unwanted calls. Additionally, it offers a 10-year price lock so seniors won’t face unexpected rate hikes. At just $39 per month, it provides a simple, affordable, and dependable phone solution.

Pricing and Plans (Per month)

1. The Essentials: $39
2. Community Phone+: $69

Calilio is a cloud telephony platform that provides inexpensive phone service for seniors. It uses (VoIP) Voice over Internet Protocol to transmit voice data over the Internet. Moreover, older adults can get a local landline phone number with any area code from any area, regardless of where they are currently located. They can call and even send SMS messages with their virtual landline number.

Unlike fixed landline services, Calilio can be operated from any internet-connected device. This includes smartphones, tablets, laptops, and computers. This flexibility makes it easier for older individuals with limited mobility to stay connected from virtually anywhere. It enhances their independence and convenience, allowing them to communicate effortlessly.

Pricing and Plans (Per user/month)

1. Basic Plan: $15
2. Business Plan: $35

AT&T provides three plans in general, all of which are suitable home phone services for seniors.​ The carrier provider’s Traditional Home Phone plan offers unlimited local calling. Its Complete Choice Enhanced plan provides popular calling features, including call forwarding. While its Long Distance plan includes unlimited calling, and an international plan.

Additionally, AT&T provides the Lifeline program, a federal initiative that lowers monthly phone costs for eligible customers. Seniors can receive at least a $5.25 discount, and those on federally recognized tribal lands can get up to $25 more. To apply, they must meet income requirements or participate in federal assistance programs like Medicaid or SNAP.

Pricing and Plans

1. Traditional Home Phone: $58 per month or less
2. Complete Choice Enhanced: $72 per month or less
3. Long Distance: Contact the sales team

CenturyLink is a suitable carrier provider of landline phone service for seniors without internet​. This makes it a great choice for elderly individuals who want simple and reliable phone service. With it, elderly people can get unlimited local calling and choose plans that include unlimited nationwide long-distance calls.

However, the communication provider is much more efficient when combined with fast home internet. Additional features such as call waiting, caller ID, and 3-way calling provide added convenience. In addition, seniors can learn about the newest deals by entering their address, including street address, city, and state ZIP code.

Pricing and Plans (Per user/month)

1. Basic Plan: $30
2. Professional Plan: $40

Compared to other providers, Xfinity Voice, offered by Comcast, has only one package. This makes it easy for seniors to avoid getting confused with multiple plans. With Xfinity Voice, they can enjoy Caller ID on TV when paired with X1. So, the elderly can easily access incoming call information right on their TV screen. Plus, it's spam blocker helps stop unwanted calls.

Xfinity Voice Premier offers unlimited international calling to many countries, making it ideal for seniors with families abroad. They can either choose a new number or transfer their existing one. The carrier provider also has enhanced 911, so the number and location are automatically sent to the operator in an emergency.

Pricing and Plan (Per month)

1. Xfinity: $20

US Mobile is a cheap home phone service for seniors. It offers unlimited nationwide calling starting at just $9.99 per month. The communication provider doesn’t require a physical wire or an internet connection to stay connected. Like the above-mentioned providers, US Mobile provides services via its home phone base.

The base connects to nearby towers and has a large antenna to ensure clear calls and a strong connection. Even during power outages, it has a backup battery. So, seniors can still use the phone with a corded or battery-powered handset. Plus, elderly people can get a one-month free Home Phone plan when they buy the Home Phone Base.

Pricing and Plans (Per month)

1. Home Phone Plan $12.99

Vonage is a cloud communication provider that has inexpensive phone plans for seniors. Its North America Plan starts at just $9.99 per month. The plan includes unlimited calls to the US, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. Similarly, ​Vonage’s World Prime Plan provides unlimited international calling to over 60 countries. Both packages are perfect for elderly people who have family abroad.

Moreover, Vonage’s features like Voicemail Plus, SimulRing, and Call Filter make managing calls easier. The Vonage Extensions app also allows seniors to use their home phone numbers on smartphones. Setting up Vonage is easy. Simply plug the obtained Vonage Box into an internet router, connect your home phone to the Vonage Box, and start calling right away.

Pricing and Plans (Per month)

1. North America Domestic Plan: $9.99
2. World Prime International Plan: $14.99

Verizon offers a range of home phone services tailored to seniors. Their Fios Digital Voice service delivers unlimited nationwide calling, voicemail, caller ID, and enhanced 911 capabilities. The features are all supported by a 100% fiber-optic network for clear call quality. Additionally, Verizon offers the Wireless Home Phone LVP2, which connects seniors’ existing landline phones to the Verizon 4G LTE network.

For eligible aged people, Verizon provides the Lifeline program. It offers discounted home phone services. Moreover, Verizon also has a Medical & Senior Repair Prioritization program. This program ensures that seniors and individuals with medical conditions receive expedited service in case of outages if they meet the requirements.

Pricing and Plans (Per month)

1. Verizon Home Phone: $25

Staying connected is crucial for seniors, and many prefer landline services for their simplicity. While traditional landlines are easy to use, modern VoIP services with virtual landlines often offer more flexibility and affordability.

As we can see, the above-mentioned providers offer affordable services. However, purchasing additional home-based devices can be costly, and the ratings on review sites tell a different story. Calilio stands out with its cost-effective pricing and positive user reviews. This makes the cloud telephone system a strong contender for seniors who want dependable and budget-friendly service.
 

Unfortunately, there is no free landline phone service for the elderly. However, eligible seniors can get discounts via the Lifeline initiatives, which many carrier providers are part of.

The Doro PhoneEasy 100w, Geemarc CL100, and BT 200 Big Button Phone are excellent choices for seniors. These phones feature large buttons for easy dialing and amplified sound for those with hearing difficulties, ensuring clear communication for older adults.

Yes, you can still get an old-fashioned landline. However, it is better to upgrade to a VoIP solution like Calilio to enjoy crystal clear calling and benefit from call management features.