Your Verizon person is lying to you. We just signed up -- YES , its a 2 year pla, BUT the additional line was only $10. And if everyone is already on Verizon, then all her calls would be "free". Then they have some nice basic phones for free. When I went a few week ago to get mine, they had at least 3 styles available for free.

The thing about tracphone is the minutes expire. From what my friend who has a trackphone told me they only last a few months before they are no longer good. Would an 80 year old woman be able to remember how many minutes she has left, how "fresh" they are (meaning how close ot expiring) etc. I myself would not be able to keep track of it.