Video calling solutions for tech-challenged seniors
Remember just several years back how futuristic video calls seemed? Nowadays any of us can see a friend or a care recipient in an online video call. Video chat has reached the masses, it can be used by everyone, no matter their age or technical ability. Let’s take a look at a few video calling options you can try with your senior.
What’s very useful and convenient is that users don’t need any special computer knowledge to enjoy video chat. These apps and devices greatly simplify the use of technology. If you are looking for a tool that enables you provide support and companionship to older adults without personal visits and helps them to communicate with family, look no further, we have the best recommendations for you.
Minimize personal visits by video chat during Coronavirus outbreak
Professional caregivers
home care agencies, assisted living facilities and other eldercare companies get the Oscar Senior remote care platform for 1 month free of charge – it is ready to be used within 3 days
Family caregivers
download the Oscar Family app in App Store or Google Play to stay in touch with and provide care remotely to your elderly – used to be 7 days free of charge, now it is free for 1 month
ViewClix with a special slideshow feature
The ViewClix Smart Frame is a picture frame that includes a video feature. Seniors are provided with a constant visual connection to family and friends since the device is always ready to receive a live video call. Users can view a high definition slideshow with the latest family pictures. Whenever a new picture is shared, the ViewClix Smart Frame receives an instant notification to download and display it.
The ViewClix Smart Frame can be remotely managed by a chosen family member or friend. The remote user, or Organizer, can log in to the ViewClix Cloud with any web browser using a notebook or tablet after downloading the app. They can set how long each slideshow picture is displayed and whether the ViewClix Smart Frame should go to sleep during late night hours.
Smartphone or big button cell phone? Read our article to find out.
Amazon Echo Show with voice-activation
The Amazon Echo smart speaker includes Alexa and a built-in smart home hub. Video calling with Echo Show is very easy to do especially for elderly users since it can be voice-activated. To start a call from the Echo, the user just needs to say “Alexa, call Joe.” You can turn off the video by saying “Video off” after the call has started, or by tapping the video button on the screen. However, take note that you can only call people who are in your contacts and also have an Echo or the free Amazon Alexa app installed on their smartphone.
The Echo Show can also manage a large variety of tasks with voice-activated access. Users can ask Alexa to play music, share a recipe, broadcast live TV, and even check who’s at the front door.
Oscar Senior makes the device you already own senior friendly
Oscar Senior software simplifies the tablet or smartphone that your senior already has while taking advantage of the tablet’s quality and capacity. So lots of photos can be stored and the device will be dependable, upgradeable, and fully supported.
The Oscar Senior software is device-agnostic, so it will run on an iPad, iPhone or Android OS based tablet or smartphone. Oscar Senior Family app for family caregivers can be downloaded from the Apple app store or the Google Play Store. In order to try the telecare platform for care businesses one month free of charge, reach out to Brian Murphy who will discuss your needs and walk you through the introduction of Oscar Senior.
Designed with accessibility in mind
Oscar Senior is an all-in-one senior communications solution especially created with the senior audience in mind, with its simple, large, bright, and uncluttered design. For those seniors who have vision or motor control challenges, Oscar Senior has voice control commands to start the Oscar Senior app, call family, hear reminders, and enjoy music. The senior’s device can be administered and controlled by family or friends with the elder's permission.
Communications options with Oscar Senior
The primary goal of Oscar Senior is to keep seniors engaged and happy by connecting them with friends, family, caregivers, and entertainment. So years of development have gone into Oscar Senior’s robust communications features that Oscar Senior has today.
One touch one to one, group video calling and group texting are possible. Video calls can be configured on the senior’s device, so the tablet auto-answers incoming calls - the senior doesn’t even have to touch the tablet to be connected. In addition, family members can set up reminders for the older adult in their care.
Business applications for Oscar Senior
Oscar Senior is also used by in-home caregiving agencies and senior living communities. Explore a detailed description of the feature set for these business applications.
Be patient with your elderly while teaching them how to use technology and orientate in digital world. Remember, they grew up in the world without mobile phones and Internet.
Video calls can be made and received with just one touch on its intuitive interface. The app’s useful auto-answer feature allows video to start without seniors having to answer. Family can check on their senior whenever they need. This can be set up remotely by the chosen admin, a family member or friend.
Group video chat is also available in the app, meaning multiple users can participate in one video call. Organizing a surprise party for Grandpa? Call mom and your siblings on Oscar Senior and start planning it together.
GrandPad is a Small Rented tablet for Seniors
For years now, Taiwan-based computer maker Acer has teamed up with GrandPad to export a petite tablet that may appeal to seniors with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).
This simple tablet has an array of on-screen choices which can handle the most basic communications needs of seniors. Its compact screen can display images for video calls. It can be purchased from Consumer Cellular which was reviewed by Trustpilot (1.4 out of 5 stars) with the input of 500 users. Ensure that there is a strong enough 4G LTE cell signal where your older adult lives when considering the built-in cellular capability of this device. There is $66 monthly plan cost (and $29 setup charge) from GrandPad.
Video calling is now an easily accessible tech option for anyone, a communication solution that has revolutionized the standard phone call. Easier to use than text messaging or emails, seniors can get great satisfaction from quick and simple, yet interactive communication.
Choose the best for you: a device created for seniors, or an app you can download on an existing device. Your choice also depends on the tech ability of your senior loved one. From voice-activated calling, to more independent use, there is a wide variety of powerful, senior-friendly video communication tools on the market today.
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