A cloud service-based telephone system for a caregiver to remotely manage an impaired individual, the system comprising: a desk phone associated with the impaired individual, the desk phone having an uncluttered interface to simplify use of the desk phone by the impaired individual and wherein the desk phone is selected from the group comprising a desk phone, a handset and a base unit, and a speakerphone; and at least one caregiver monitoring application external to the desk phone that communicates with the desk phone over a cloud service through one or more of the following: a cellular network, a Wi-Fi network, a Bluetooth connection, and a wired connection to remotely selectively identify one or more functionalities for the desk phone and remotely change available functionality of the desk phone, wherein the cloud service contains a set of rules, database lists and available user features that permit the caregiver, using the at least one caregiver monitoring application, to both remotely provide and limit the one or more functionalities of the desk phone in a customized manner to match cognitive capabilities of the impaired individual; wherein the desk phone includes a wireless communication technology and is adapted to transform the desk phone into a hub to communicate with one or more devices within a defined perimeter of the desk phone, the one or more devices selected from the group comprising: fall detector/emergency pendants and wristbands, activity/heart monitors and wristbands, GPS tracking devices, medication monitors, video/audio monitors, motion detectors, light controls, electronic or wireless-enabled door locks, house lighting, bed monitors, cameras, motion sensors, scales, heartbeat sensors, galvanic skin response sensors, and blood pressure monitors. a desk phone associated with the impaired individual, the desk phone having an uncluttered interface to simplify use of the desk phone by the impaired individual and wherein the desk phone is selected from the group comprising a desk phone, a handset and a base unit, and a speakerphone; and at least one caregiver monitoring application external to the desk phone that communicates with the desk phone over a cloud service through one or more of the following: a cellular network, a Wi-Fi network, a Bluetooth connection, and a wired connection to remotely selectively identify one or more functionalities for the desk phone and remotely change available functionality of the desk phone, wherein the cloud service contains a set of rules, database lists and available user features that permit the caregiver, using the at least one caregiver monitoring application, to both remotely provide and limit the one or more functionalities of the desk phone in a customized manner to match cognitive capabilities of the impaired individual; wherein the desk phone includes a wireless communication technology and is adapted to transform the desk phone into a hub to communicate with one or more devices within a defined perimeter of the desk phone, the one or more devices selected from the group comprising: fall detector/emergency pendants and wristbands, activity/heart monitors and wristbands, GPS tracking devices, medication monitors, video/audio monitors, motion detectors, light controls, electronic or wireless-enabled door locks, house lighting, bed monitors, cameras, motion sensors, scales, heartbeat sensors, galvanic skin response sensors, and blood pressure monitors.