Video chatting is a great way for seniors to stay in touch with loved ones, especially grandkids or other younger family members. Travel often becomes difficult for many older adults due to health conditions, finances, or other concerns. But it’s still vitally important to stay connected to your loved ones, and while in-person connection is ideal, video chatting is far better than no communication at all. Video chatting is also typically free, easy to set up on both ends, and allows you to actually see the person you’re talking to, rather than just hear them. This is an extra advantage when talking to children, because they are constantly growing and changing!
Technology makes it easy to maintain strong family bonds and friendships, even across distance. The technology itself, however, can be somewhat challenging, especially because it’s also constantly changing. This quick guide will give you 10 tips for great video calls with grandkids to set you up for success.
Find the Right Platform
Ensuring you are both using the correct platform is the first step to a great video call with grandkids. There are a wide variety of video chatting apps out there, including Apple FaceTime, Zoom, Google Meet, and Skype, among others. For seniors, we typically recommend using Apple FaceTime if possible. If both you and your loved one have an Apple device, you can video chat using FaceTime.
If one of you does not have an Apple device, our second choice is Skype. It’s free and easy to set up, and runs on almost all devices with an internet connection. This post on using technology to stay connected gives you a quick guide to setting up either FaceTime or Skype. If you need more help, try asking your younger loved ones to walk you through the process, in-person if possible. You could also ask staff at your senior living community, who would be happy to help.
Check For a Strong Internet Connection
No matter which platform you choose, a strong internet connection will be essential. All video chat applications use the internet to communicate. Often, the cellular data connection on your smartphone will be much slower than a WiFi (wireless internet) connection. If possible, both you and your loved one should be connected to high-speed WiFi networks. Most homes and senior living communities have high-speed WiFi. You can run a fast, free speed test on your wireless network using Ookla. If you are on a laptop, you can also just search “wifi speed test” on Google and it will give you an automatic test option. If your wireless network has a slow connection (less than 10 mbps download speed and less than 0.5 mbps upload speed), you may struggle with video chatting. In this case, you could use the WiFi at a local coffee shop, library, or internet cafe. You could also use a computer with a wired internet (Ethernet) connection.
Set Up Your View
When video chatting, you’ll be able to see your younger loved ones, and they’ll also be able to see you. Make sure they can see you well! Bright lighting–preferably natural light, like near a window–will make it easier to see. Also, position yourself within the frame of the video camera, not too close or too far away. Most apps give you a view of yourself as well as your loved one, so you can see what they’re seeing.
To make things even easier, prop up your device in a stand or against a wall so you don’t have to hold it upright the whole time. If you’re at a computer, you might consider a taller chair so that your whole face is in view. Choose a comfortable seat, so you’ll be able to focus on your conversation.
Use The Right Equipment
While most cell phones and laptops have good microphones, speakers, and cameras, make sure yours are working well. Make sure the camera lens is clean and free of fingerprints or debris. If you have difficulty hearing, consider using noise-cancelling headphones with a microphone for the clearest audio. If your eyesight isn’t what it used to be, you might want to use a computer instead of phone or tablet to video chat so you’ll be able to see your loved ones on a larger screen.
Keep It Fun
Children have shorter attention spans than adults, and it can be more challenging to keep their attention over a screen than it is in person. Younger people also often dislike talking on the phone, so it can be hard to get a conversation started. If you have pets, your grandkids or young loved ones would probably love to see them! Try to get them on camera. You could also show your loved ones your home, your holiday decorations, your view outside, or your newest art project. Ask your grandkids to show you their recent schoolwork, artwork, or new toy. If they have recently learned a sport or musical instrument, ask them to show you. You could even play a game together or read a book aloud to younger children.
Video chatting is more than just talking on the phone, so use the video component to the fullest! This will also help keep your grandkids’ attention.
Be Patient and Flexible
Young children and their parents have busy, unpredictable lives–as we’re sure you did or perhaps still do. It can be difficult to pin them down for a video call, and when you do call, children may be reluctant to talk. Don’t take this personally, because it isn’t personal. They’re just being kids, and sometimes kids have a hard time with the video chatting concept. If you can’t get the kids to talk, just chat with their parents and ask the parents to turn the camera around so you can see what the kids are up to. You can watch them play for a little while, and then they may be more ready to talk.
It’s also helpful to ask open-ended questions that encourage conversation. For example:
- What is your favorite thing that you’re learning about in school?
- What book are you reading right now?
- What is your favorite toy? Can you show it to me?
- What is your favorite animal? Why?
- Who is your best friend?
- What is your favorite show?
Also, remember that a conversation doesn’t need to be long to be worthwhile. Connecting in short, frequent bursts is often better (especially for kids) than long conversations months apart. Scheduling a weekly or bi-weekly call is a good way to stay in touch without putting too much pressure on the conversation.
Connection is More Important Than Content
As a final reminder, remember that connection is more important than content. It doesn’t really matter what you talk about when you’re talking to your grandkids. The most important thing is that you both stay present in each others’ lives, even if that doesn’t happen in person as much as you’d like.
Video chatting is a great way for seniors to stay connected, especially to younger family members. Stellar Living hopes these tips for great video calls with grandkids help you have a strong and happy relationship with your loved ones.
Tired of video chatting? Consider moving to a resort-style senior living community closer to family! See if there is a Stellar Living Community near your loved ones today.
