Easy FaceTime for Seniors

How to setup FaceTime for the elderly

It’s recommended that FaceTime is set-up on an iPad or Mac computer for an elderly person because mobile phones are small and tend to be not as loud as iPad and Mac devices.

Unlike some other video-calling services, such as WhatsApp, you are able to set up an account and use FaceTime without having an active phone service. All that is needed is an Internet connection.

1. If your parent struggles finding or recognising the FaceTime icon, try removing all other icons from the screen, and placing FaceTime alone in the top-left corner.
2. Tap on the FaceTime app icon on the screen, then tap the Contacts button in the bottom-right corner. A list of contacts will appear.
3. Tap a contact in the list. All the contact’s information will be displayed.
4. Tap the FaceTime button, which looks like a video camera, and can be found beside the contact’s information.
5. When the contact accepts the call, a large window will show the contact’s video, and a smaller will display your own video. Talk for as long as you like! When it’s time to hang up, click the End button.

Making the FaceTime experience easier for a senior using an iPad or MacBook

• Turn off automatic updates to prevent unwanted pop-ups and unfamiliar reminders
• Attach the device to its charger via a long cable so that the device does not go flat
• Purchase a protective case to prevent the screen from cracking when it is dropped
• Make sure that the Wi-Fi signal is strong enough in all corners of the house — see our guide to video quality
• In Settings, go to Restrictions to disable volume buttons so that the volume isn’t accidently changed

Alternatives to FaceTime

FaceTime only supports iOS devices, such as iPhones, iPads, iPods and Macs. FaceTime does not run on Android phones or tablets, Windows or Linux computers, or video phones.  Therefore, you are limited to only calling other Apple product users. If some of your family and friends do not own an Apple gadget, they’ll be left out. Therefore FaceTime may not be the best choice.

Fortunately, there are many other alternatives to FaceTime that do run on non-Apple devices: Apps such as Teams, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and Viber.

Konnekt reviewed, evaluated and analysed over 20 video-calling platforms that have a global presence. Then, we embedded the best of the best into our own hardware.

Why use our own hardware

iPads and tablets are low in cost (less than $1,000) and offer thousands of apps. However, this flexibility works against someone who is not used to technology, or wants something incredibly simple or more like a phone, or has additional needs due to eyesight, hearing or dexterity.

The Konnekt hardware:

• Offers a 15-inch screen, with big buttons and tall text. Easy to see, life-like video calling, and easy to hit buttons.
• We disable the side power and volume controls to prevent the user from accidentally muting or turning off their device.
• It has no apps, just a one-touch user interface. Incredibly easy to use.
• There are no confusing icons, pinch-zoom, menus, swiping or double-tapping.
• There are no logins or passwords, no keyboard or mouse, no pop-ups.
• Software updates are handled silently, overnight, without the need for user interaction.
• Everything is stable. Updates won’t change the look-and-feel, your set-up, or the way you use it.
• We focus on reliability and ease of use, rather than adding emoticons or fancy sounds.
• When you pick up a tablet, it’s easy to accidentally touch an on-screen button. We eliminated those problems!
• We eliminate the problem of scam callers and telemarketers.

Konnekt Videophone – World’s Easiest Video Calling for Seniors