Video calls for older people: how to make family calls easier and safer

For many families, a video call sounds simple: open an app, find a contact and tap a button. But for someone in their eighties, nineties or beyond, every extra step can become a barrier.

The useful question is not only “which app can make video calls?” but “can Mum, Dad or Grandma use it without help?”

Why can video calling be difficult for an older person?

Small icons, notifications, permissions, passwords, unknown contacts and screens that change after an update can turn a simple task into a frustrating one. The challenge can be greater for people with little digital experience, reduced vision or a fear of touching the wrong thing.

What to look for in a tablet for video calls with older people

1. A comfortably large screen

A tablet can make faces, names and photographs easier to see than on a small phone.

2. As few steps as possible

The shorter the journey between “I want to call my daughter” and seeing her face, the better. Recognisable photographs and large controls can matter more than a long feature list.

3. Good volume and a practical setup

Check speaker volume, camera position and whether the device can stay charged somewhere easy to reach.

4. Clear, familiar contacts

Simplifying who appears on the device can also reduce uncertainty. Families can agree in advance what to do when an unexpected or unknown person gets in touch.

Wi‑Fi or a SIM card?

If the tablet stays at home and has reliable Wi‑Fi, that is often the simplest option. Mobile data can make sense where Wi‑Fi is unreliable or the device moves between locations. The key is to make connectivity something the older person does not have to manage repeatedly.

Video calls do not replace being there

Seeing a loved one can make remote communication feel more personal, but we should not overpromise. Research on whether video calls alone reduce loneliness in older people remains limited and uncertain. They are best understood as another way to stay in contact when being together in person is not possible.

Safety: fewer difficult decisions

Safety should not depend entirely on teaching an older person to spot every new scam. Families can reduce unnecessary contacts, agree a simple safety rule and configure devices so everyday actions are easy to recognise.

We have a separate guide on digital scams targeting older people and practical ways families can help.

Where does Mamá Lola fit?

Mamá Lola grew out of exactly this problem: families who want to stay close to a very old relative without asking them to learn an app designed for confident digital users.

The experience is built around family and simplicity, with known, authorised people. The aim is not to add more technology, but to remove complexity.

Sources and further reading

Evidence on video calling and loneliness in older adults is still limited. A Cochrane rapid review rated the available evidence as very uncertain, so we treat video calling as an additional way to maintain family contact rather than a replacement for in-person company.