We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Elderly friendly video calling

popadom
popadom Posts: 822 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
in Techie Stuff
My daughters grandparents live several hours away and with shielding, can’t come and visit her. They don’t have broadband.

Currently, I send photos monthly but they would like to see her . I am looking for recommendations for tablets/ systems that don’t require broadband to send videos and receive video calls. 

Can anyone advise? 

Comments

  • neilmcl
    neilmcl Posts: 19,460 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    If they don't have broadband then they'll have to use something that's compatible with a mobile data SIM.
  • J_B
    J_B Posts: 6,878 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Smartphone, use mobile data to video call using Whatsapp, Zoom etc
  • tacpot12
    tacpot12 Posts: 9,419 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Doro make a range of SmartPhones that are designed to be easier to use for older folk. You could install Whatsapp or Zoom for them and show them how to make and receive calls. 
    The comments I post are my personal opinion. While I try to check everything is correct before posting, I can and do make mistakes, so always try to check official information sources before relying on my posts.
  • A_Lert
    A_Lert Posts: 609 Forumite
    500 Posts Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    My mother is tech-phobic, but when I went on holiday to somewhere with £££ mobile costs, I set up a spare smartphone with Skype installed and she was able to answer the calls so we could chat when I was on the hotel wifi.
  • J_B
    J_B Posts: 6,878 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Just re-read your OP - you also mention 'Tablet' - you could get one of these with a sim card slot perhaps??
  • Gers
    Gers Posts: 13,360 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    This reviews various types. 


  • elsien
    elsien Posts: 36,563 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 23 December 2020 at 12:21PM
    Parent is 82 and uses WhatsApp on her smartphone with no issues at at. Has also managed to join a zoom family call which someone else set up.
    Not everyone older needs the bigger Doro phones.

    What have they already got smartphone wise, if anything? 
    All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.

    Pedant alert - it's could have, not could of.
★ ★ ★ Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 352.2K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.6K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 454.3K Spending & Discounts
  • 245.3K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 601K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 177.5K Life & Family
  • 259.1K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.
Update Your Picture