there is technology coming out that is simple by design for folks who don't like or are afraid of it.
I was reading about an e-mail printer coming out just the other day. When it receives an email, it prints it right away including attachments/pics. The receiving person can just scribble their reply on paper, feed it back to this device, and it is emailed back as a reply! Oh, and supposedly it works right out of the box to minimize setup hassles. (though I guess it would be installed in any case by someone else, if not a dealer then a less technophobic family member or friend).
also I was reading about a cell phone that only does...calls! (no cameras, MP3 players...for the same reason to get a simpler device).
flashlights have to be one of the simplest of technologies out there, provided you buy one with a big button that just gets pushed. Even a 2-stage flashlight is not too hard, since the user will press the (only available, big) button to shut the light off, and when it just changes levels, press it again at which point it will shut off.
there are many such lights, even complicated ones. If the problem is changing the batteries, maybe a rechargeable flashlight that just sits into a base plugged into a wall? I can think of the Inova T4 rechargeable (and maybe it also has a simple button design - though I don't own one and am not 100% sure). Plus if it is seated properly a little blue light comes on, so the user has positive feedback that the light is charging properly.
The T4 does not have the latest LED, but should be plenty more useful than the one currently being used!