Needy elderly to get free used iPhones to help enhance their lives and safety

Free and specially re-conditioned iPhones that can enhance their lives and safety -- 

That's what the elderly from two voluntary welfare organisations will stand to get under Project Silverline. 

It's a SingTel social project launched today, where used iPhones will be collected and made elderly-friendly. 

The telco will also give the seniors free talk time and data plans for a year. 

SingTel has developed five apps exclusively for the re-conditioned iPhones targetted at the elderly. 

One of them is an emergency app, which seniors can use to call the police or an ambulance. 

Another is a mood detector, which allows seniors to record their daily mood levels. 

That app will helps volunteers keep track of the seniors' moods during their weekly visits. 

SingTel is working with charity groups Lions Befrienders and Willing Hearts who will teach the elderly how to use the smartphone. 

The project was first conceptualised late 2010. 

Mr Derrick Heng, a director with Singtel explains: 

"I think with technology, a lot of these seniors are intimidated. So, we've gone through focus groups to ensure the user experience and the applications are relevant to their lifestyles. There's also a function which could detect via motion, that in case they fall, they would be connected to their caregivers immediately, via email." 

One of those game enough to learn new technology -- 76-year-old Madam Choo Kim Lain.

In 2010, Madam Choo had an asthma attack at home, and had to depend on her volunteer caregiver to call an ambulance. 

With the phone and the emergency app, she says, she can now do that herself. 

SingTel says anyone can donate their used iPhones at its retail shops. 

It hopes to collect at least 1,000 sets.