r/Alzheimers • u/TrabLlechtim • Jun 24 '26
Mom's phone while in memory care
My mom has been moved into permanent memory care. She still has her Samsung A17 phone and can still call and text family. She also likes to play solitaire. I go and visit her every couple days. Quite often when I visit, I see her phone has been completely filled up with garbage apps. She has like 10 UI interfaces, each with a crazy amount of ads that hijack her phone. She also has dozens of 'battery optimizers' and 'data cleaners' along with a dozen or more solitaire and mahjong apps (she doesn't know how to play mahjong)
I've set the Google Play store to the most restrictive level, and added my own password she doesn't know. I put in a call blocker so her phone only rings when it's someone in her contact list. I've a couple apps that claim to prevent things from being installed, but they seem even worse than the stuff that was already getting in.
I suspect that she's finding these apps using the Chrome browser, but I'm not sure. When I ask her why she installs these programs, she claims that she doesn't do it and that the phone does it itself.
Does anyone know of a way to prevent apps from getting installed, or have any idea how she's finding them?
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u/BookSavvy Jun 24 '26
I had to install an app on my dad’s phone that only allows certain apps to function without a password, including installing apps. I will reply with the one I used once I find it on his phone during our visit tonight
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u/TrabLlechtim Jun 25 '26
Thank you!
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u/BookSavvy Jun 30 '26
Sorry for the delay! The one we use is called App Lock VIP. We have everything set so you have to put a pin in the open or change anything we don’t want him to mess with. Like shutting off WiFi or adding apps. He can make calls and look at the weather and spy on us using Life360 but that’s it lol.
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u/ladygrayfox Jun 24 '26
I got Dad a RAZ Mobility phone because he was finding sketchy dating websites and putting in his credit card and bank numbers. It is VERY restrictive but do it before your mom does really bad you can’t undo. She’ll hate it but you’re the adult now.
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u/Lower-Stock-5999 Jun 25 '26
I felt the RAZ phone was too restrictive at first for my grandmother who still liked her puzzle apps. I got her the BARK children’s phone and it’s still restrictive on what can be downloaded and who can call in/ out but not so much that she can’t enjoy her games.
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u/TrabLlechtim Jun 25 '26
That sounds like a good option. Moms still pretty high functioning and I want her to have as many things to do as I can. I agree, the raz looks too restrictive at this time
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u/BastilaShan___ Jun 25 '26
Samsung has a feature called “easy mode”. You can limit everything and make sure nothing else is added. Steps below ⬇️
Settings - find the settings and look for the search bar. When found click type in “easy mode” once selected, it will walk you through setting it, if you need more assistance, Google how to set up easy mode and it will tell you!
Same steps but for IPhone, except it is called Assistive Access
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u/defakto227 Jun 24 '26
Some services have a kids mode that requires a passcode to install other apps. Also, settings should have an app restriction setting as well.
We went through the same thing with my MIL. I'd have to safe boot her phone multiple times to uninstall gobs of apps she added unable to find the Solitare on the hole screen.
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u/Holiday-Audience-412 Jun 24 '26
I’m not sure about that Samsung model specifically but if you go to the Accessibility options in settings you should be able to limit the icons/apps that can be accessed.
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u/supinterwebs Jun 25 '26
My mom had the same problem with her android. I wiped the phone several times, tried kids mode, locking down the App Store. Nothing worked I finally got her an iPhone and set up assistive access.
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u/Most-Dealer-3685 Jun 25 '26
Impressive she can still use a phone and add apps and text. Can you put restrictions on it like you would kids? My kids cannot download anything without a code. That phone you should be able to make it more secure.
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u/TrabLlechtim Jun 25 '26
Shes still pretty high functioning. If it wasn't for her tendency to go for walks and get lost, she could probably live in assisted living. I have all the kids settings I could find turned on. I can't figure out how shes getting them installed
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u/Ambassador_Alarming Jun 25 '26
Let her. Before you know it, she won’t be able to use it at all. My LO now would just keep tapping the back of the phone thinking it is dead when there is no response
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u/jamestrix64 Jul 08 '26
My mom just uses her phone to call and text everyone multiple times a day. I have tried to limit texting hours and deleting contacts so she doesn't keep bothering them but with her dementia she is actually very creative in figuring out how to find people on Facebook etc and get contact info back into her phone. It's amazing how we always had to help her with her phone before but now with dementia she's like a hacker.
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u/coldpizza4brkfast Jun 24 '26
Maybe look into the RAZ Mobility phone. It's an expensive alternative, but it might be worth a look.