Digital Inclusion: Teaching Seniors to Use Video Calls

It is not easy to watch an older parent or neighbor sit alone in a quiet house, especially when we know that a simple video call could bring a grandchild’s laughter or a familiar face right into their living room. Many of us feel a tug in our chest when we hear, “I do not know how to do all that computer stuff,” and we are torn between wanting to help and not wanting to overwhelm them.

The gentle truth is that most seniors can learn to use video calls, as long as we go slowly, repeat steps without judgment, and build their confidence one small success at a time. We do not need fancy devices or expert skills. We only need patience, clear steps, and a mindset that values connection more than perfection.

Why Video Calls Matter So Much For Seniors

For many older adults, video calls are not about technology at all. They are about staying connected to family, feeling less isolated, and knowing that help is just a face and a call away.

When we teach a senior to make a video call, we are not just teaching a skill. We are opening a doorway to company, comfort, and safety.

Here are a few reasons video calls make such a difference:

Emotional connection: Seeing faces and expressions can reduce loneliness and worry in a way that regular phone calls sometimes cannot match.
Practical support: Family or caregivers can visually check on medications, wounds, mobility, and home safety through video.
Peace of mind for both sides: Loved ones can see that the senior is okay, and the senior knows that help and company are easier to reach.
Greater independence: When seniors can call on their own, they do not have to wait for visitors or rely only on scheduled calls.

Common Fears Seniors Have About Video Calls

Before we touch a single button, it helps to understand what many older adults are quietly worried about:

“I will press the wrong thing and break it.”
“Everyone will see me and I will look silly.”
“I will not remember the steps and I will feel stupid.”
“Someone might see inside my house and judge me.”
“What if I answer a stranger by mistake?”

If we rush past these feelings and only focus on the technical steps, learning can feel cold and stressful. When we slow down and speak to these worries out loud, it sends a message: there is no shame here, and we are in this together.

You might find it helpful to start every teaching session with reassurance: “You cannot break anything by trying. If something goes wrong, we will fix it together.”

Choosing the Right Device and Setup

Before we teach, we need a setup that matches the senior’s abilities, comfort, and home environment.

Device Options: What Tends To Work Best

Different people do better with different devices. Here is a simple overview.

Device Type	Good For	Potential Challenges
Tablet (iPad / Android)	Large enough screen, touch controls, portable, simple home screen	May be heavy to hold, touch sensitivity can confuse some users
Smartphone	Always nearby, familiar to some seniors, easy calling	Small screen and buttons, harder for those with vision or hand issues
Laptop / Desktop	Larger screen, stable on a table, full-size keyboard	Trackpads, mice, and multiple windows can be confusing
Smart display (like Echo Show, Google Nest Hub)	Simple voice commands, fixed location, minimal controls	Voice recognition issues, needs careful setup and privacy settings

You might find it helpful to choose the device with:

The fewest steps to start a call.
The biggest, clearest screen they can comfortably see.
Buttons or touch sensitivity that match their hand strength and dexterity.

Physical Setup: Lighting, Sound, and Comfort

Many seniors will not say they cannot see the screen clearly or that they have trouble hearing. They may just withdraw and say, “It is too much for me.” A few gentle adjustments can remove those hidden barriers.

Think about:

Lighting: Place the seat facing a window or soft lamp, so their face is lit. Avoid strong light behind them, which makes their face dark on camera.
Sound: Check the volume and test it with a real person. Consider simple over-the-ear headphones if there is background noise or hearing loss.
Comfort: A stable chair and a steady surface for the device help reduce the worry of dropping or tilting it.
Positioning: Raise the device slightly so the camera is near eye level. A stack of books can be enough.

You might say, “Let us make it so you do not have to hold anything in your hands. You can just sit and enjoy the call.”

Keeping the Tech Simple: Accounts, Apps, and Settings

Many seniors give up when they see a wall of icons, pop-ups, and long passwords. Our job is to clear that clutter for them as much as we safely can.

Choosing One Main Video App

Most families and caregivers do better when there is just one primary video platform:

FaceTime (for iPhone/iPad users)
WhatsApp or Messenger video (if they already use these)
Zoom (for group calls, classes, or telehealth)
Google Meet (if they have a Gmail account)

You might find it helpful to ask the family: “Which app are most of you already using?” It is usually easier to bring the senior onto what others already know than to make everyone switch.

Reducing Password and Sign-In Stress

Passwords are often the biggest barrier. Many seniors feel ashamed that they cannot remember them.

You might try:

Using a password manager that auto-fills, set up by a trusted family member.
Writing the main email and password on a clear card stored in a safe but accessible spot, if the senior is comfortable with that.
Turning on features like “stay signed in” on their personal device, as long as the home is secure.

You can gently say, “You do not need to remember every detail. We will set this up so you only have to press one or two buttons.”

Home Screen and App Layout

Make the path to a video call as short and clear as possible:

Place the video app icon on the main home screen, front and center.
Remove or hide unnecessary apps from that first screen.
Increase icon size and text size in the device settings.
Turn on “Do not disturb while driving” type features only if they will not interfere with calls.

On a tablet or smartphone, you might rename a folder or place a single icon with a label like “Video Calls” or “Family Calls” so it is unmistakable.

Step-by-Step Teaching: Moving Slowly Without Talking Down

Teaching seniors often asks us to adjust our own pace. Many of us move quickly through screens and menus without thinking. When we teach, we need to slow our hands, our words, and our expectations.

Start With a Calm, Shame-Free Mindset

Before you begin, it can help to set the tone directly:

Say clearly: “If something goes wrong, it is my job, not your failure.”
Normalize mistakes: “Everyone presses the wrong button sometimes. We just back up and try again.”
Invite questions: “If I use a word you do not like or understand, please stop me and we will find a different way to say it.”

Learning sticks best when the senior feels safe to be slow, to ask again, and to forget without feeling like a burden.

Break the Skill Into Small, Repeatable Steps

Think of “making a video call” as several tiny skills:

Waking or unlocking the device.
Finding and tapping the video call app.
Finding the right person or family group.
Starting the video call.
Answering an incoming video call.
Ending the call.

You might find it helpful to focus on only one or two steps per session at first, especially for someone who feels easily overwhelmed.

Use Simple, Consistent Language

Try to use the same words every time. For example:

“Tap” instead of “click” on a tablet or phone.
“Press this green button to start the call.”
“Press this red button to hang up.”
“Swipe up” or “swipe left” with a hand gesture demonstration.

Avoid talking about “apps” and “platforms” if that language makes them freeze. You can simply say “this button for seeing family.”

The “Watch, Help, Do Alone” Approach

A gentle teaching pattern can look like this:

Stage	What You Do	Goal
Watch	You perform the steps while describing each out loud, slowly.	They get a sense of the process without pressure.
Help	They perform the steps with you guiding their hand and offering prompts.	They feel your support as they try the motions.
Do Alone	They perform the steps while you sit quietly nearby, only stepping in if asked.	They build confidence and memory through repetition.

You might repeat these stages more than once on different days. Memory builds through gentle repetition, not through one intense lesson.

Designing Clear, Visual Instructions They Can Keep

Even seniors with good memory often feel more secure with written steps they can touch and see.

Create a One-Page Guide With Large Print

You might find it helpful to create a simple, printed guide with:

Very large font (at least 18-20 point).
Short, numbered steps.
Plain language like “Press the green button to start the video call.”
Pictures of the actual buttons or icons from their device if possible.

Here is a simple example outline for a guide:

1. Turn on the tablet.
2. Touch the “Family Calls” picture.
3. Touch “Anna” to see Anna.
4. Touch the green camera button.
5. Wait. You will see Anna’s face.
6. To hang up, touch the red button.

Tape this guide near their favorite chair or next to the device. Lamination can help it last longer and resist spills.

Color Coding and Labels

Color and labels can reduce confusion:

Place a small colored sticker near the power button.
Print a small photo of the app icon with the words “Video Calls” and tape it near the screen.
Use a marker to draw a small arrow on a screen protector or paper overlay if they always forget where to swipe.

Some caregivers place a small, labeled card over part of the screen with cutouts only around the relevant buttons, so extra controls feel less distracting.

Practicing Calls With Patience and Encouragement

The first calls may feel awkward. The senior may worry about how they look or speak. Our calm presence can help normalize that discomfort until it fades.

Start With Short, Low-Pressure Practice Calls

You might arrange practice calls with:

You, while you are in another room or outside the home.
A grandchild or close friend who is patient and cheerful.
A volunteer from a community center or faith group.

Make the first few calls short, maybe 5-10 minutes, and frame them as simple practice:

You can say, “We are just practicing button pressing today. The goal is not a perfect conversation. The goal is to see that you can start and end the call.”

Teach How To Answer Safely and Comfortably

For many seniors, answering an incoming video call is just as important as making one.

Walk through:

What the ringing screen looks like.
Which button accepts the call (usually green) and which rejects it (usually red).
What to do if they miss the call: “You do not need to panic. They can call back, or we can call them.”

It can help to say out loud: “You never need to answer if you do not feel ready. You are in control.”

Handling Glitches Without Panic

Technology glitches are not rare. For a senior, a frozen screen or dropped call can be alarming.

Teach a simple troubleshooting script:

“If the screen freezes, wait 10 seconds first.”
“If nothing changes, press the red button to hang up, then start the call again.”
“If that does not work, turn the device off, count to ten, and turn it back on.”

On the instruction sheet, you can add a short section:

If something goes wrong:
1. Hang up with the red button.
2. Try again once.
3. If it still does not work, call [Name] at [Phone Number] for help.

Having a clear “backup person” reduces anxiety.

Respecting Privacy, Safety, and Personal Dignity

While we are eager to connect seniors with family and caregivers, we also need to protect their privacy and sense of dignity.

Discuss Who Can Call and When

You might sit together and make a short list:

Who is allowed to video call anytime (immediate family, key caregivers).
Who should call only by appointment or at certain times.
Who should not have video access at all.

Then check the app settings:

Restrict unknown callers if the app allows.
Adjust privacy so only contacts can start video calls.
Block any numbers or accounts that have caused discomfort.

Be Honest About What Others Can See

Some seniors worry about being seen without their hair done, teeth in, or house tidy. Others may not think about privacy at all.

Have a calm, clear talk:

Explain that during a video call, people can see them and the room behind them.
Offer a simple “video corner” of the house that is tidy and comfortable.
Assure them that family is not judging; they are grateful just to see them.

You might say, “If you feel more comfortable, we can choose one favorite chair and keep that area ready for calls. The rest of the house does not need to be perfect.”

Adapting To Different Abilities and Health Conditions

Not all seniors face the same physical or cognitive challenges. The way we teach video calls should fit the person in front of us, not a general rule.

For Seniors With Low Vision

You might:

Increase font size and display zoom in the device settings.
Choose high-contrast themes if available.
Use bold, simple icons and labels.
Teach them to rely more on audio cues, such as the ringing sound and spoken confirmation during calls.

Some devices offer screen readers, but these can be confusing if the person is not already comfortable with audio menus. A gradual introduction, or support from a low-vision specialist, can help.

For Seniors With Hearing Loss

Consider:

Over-the-ear headphones or a headset with volume control.
Ensuring the environment is as quiet as possible during calls.
Turning on captions or subtitles if the app offers them.
Encouraging family members to speak slowly, face the camera, and avoid talking over one another.

You can write a short family guide: “When you call Grandma, speak clearly, one at a time, and check that she can hear you.”

For Seniors With Memory Challenges or Dementia

Memory issues do not always mean video calls are impossible, but the approach does need more care.

You might find it helpful to:

Keep steps very short, with pictures instead of long instructions.
Use devices that auto-answer calls from trusted contacts, after a certain number of rings, if safety and consent allow.
Limit access to one or two call buttons on the screen.
Accept that independent use may not be realistic, and focus on making it easy for caregivers to set up calls instead.

Families sometimes want to insist that a parent “should” be able to handle the device alone. You may need to gently say, “We can support connection, but we may need to adjust our expectations about independence.”

Helping Families and Caregivers Support the Senior

Teaching the senior is only part of the work. Their circle of support needs guidance too.

Setting Reasonable Expectations

You might talk with family members about:

How long learning might take, especially if there are health issues.
Accepting that some days will go better than others.
Not scolding or teasing if the senior forgets steps.

Families sometimes say, “I already showed her that,” with frustration. A gentle response could be, “Repetition is part of learning at any age. Seeing it again can build comfort, not failure.”

Agreeing On a Simple Call Schedule

A light structure can help the senior remember and look forward to calls:

Regular weekly or twice-weekly calls at the same time.
A simple paper calendar near the device, with call times clearly written.
Reminders through phone calls or text messages shortly before the video call.

Routine offers comfort. Knowing, “My daughter calls every Wednesday at 7,” can turn video calls into an anchor in the week.

Encouraging Gentle, Positive Language From Callers

You might suggest that family members:

Start calls with praise, such as “You did it, we can see you perfectly.”
Avoid comments like “How many times do I have to show you?” or “We went over this already.”
End calls with warmth: “I loved seeing you. Let us do this again on Sunday.”

A little encouragement can increase the senior’s willingness to keep trying, even when the steps feel hard.

Group Uses of Video Calls: Classes, Support, and Telehealth

Once a senior is comfortable with basic calls, new doors can open for engagement and care.

Social and Activity Groups

Many community centers, senior centers, libraries, and faith communities offer:

Virtual coffee hours or check-ins.
Chair exercise or gentle movement classes.
Book clubs or discussion groups.
Craft or hobby gatherings.

These can provide consistent company for seniors who cannot easily leave home, especially in bad weather or during illness.

Support Groups and Counseling

Video can connect seniors with:

Grief support groups.
Caregiver support meetings, for those caring for a spouse or friend.
Counseling or mental health services, where appropriate.

Caregivers may need to help the senior log in and ensure privacy in the home during these sessions.

Telehealth and Medical Visits

Many clinics and health systems offer video visits. For seniors with mobility issues, this can save energy and risk.

To prepare, you might:

Practice the type of call the clinic uses (Zoom, a patient portal, or another app).
Write down the steps for joining the visit, with the exact button names.
Help gather medications, blood pressure readings, or questions before the call.

It can be helpful for a trusted caregiver to sit nearby during the call, guided by the senior’s comfort and consent, to help with any technical issues and to take notes.

Planning For Ongoing Support and Change

Technology, health, and family situations all change over time. Digital inclusion is not a one-time project but an ongoing relationship.

Schedule “Tech Check” Visits

You might plan a short check-in every few weeks, in person or by phone, to:

Confirm that the video app still works as expected.
Update the device as needed, preferably with you present so new prompts are not confusing.
Review the written instructions and adjust them if the app layout changes.

Instead of waiting for a problem, regular “tech check” times can prevent small issues from turning into big barriers.

Watch For Signs of Overwhelm

Pay attention if the senior:

Starts refusing calls they once enjoyed.
Frequently says “It is too complicated” or “I do not want to bother anyone.”
Seems more anxious or upset after trying to make a call.

These can be signals that the process needs to be simplified again, or that family expectations are too high.

Be Ready To Adjust the Approach

Sometimes, the best path forward is to change the plan:

Switching from a smartphone to a tablet with a bigger screen.
Using a smart display that auto-answers trusted callers, if appropriate.
Accepting that the senior may always need a helper to start calls, and building that into the care plan.

There is no single “correct” way for a senior to be digitally included. What matters is that they feel connected, respected, and as in control as their health allows.

At the heart of all this technology is a simple human wish: to see the faces we love and to feel seen in return. If we keep that wish in mind, it becomes easier to be patient with the buttons, the passwords, and all the little frustrations along the way.