Video Calling for Seniors: 6 Popular Options

Video calling for seniors combines independence with peace of mind. When her father and stepmother needed to find the best device with simple technology, Terri L. Jones set out to research the differences. Here’s what she found.

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED JULY 2023; UPDATED AUGUST 17, 2026

My stepmother can’t leave my father home alone. He has vascular dementia, so she worries when he’s by himself, and my dad gets anxious because he sometimes forgets where she is or when she is supposed to return. My stepmom would like to be able to get away occasionally, for her sake, and provide my father with a sense of independence, for his sake, while giving them both peace of mind.

One effective way to check in on seniors and maintain regular “face-to-face” communication when you’re not in the same space is video calling. But commonly used video-calling tools, like FaceTime or Google Meet, simply aren’t an option for some seniors.

Enter video calling for seniors, designed specifically for older folks. These devices are useful for those who have less experience with technology or no longer have the cognitive ability to learn (my dad included).

My stepmom asked me to investigate the options.

Features of 6 popular services for video calling for seniors

1. GrandPad

GrandPad remains one of the most established options for seniors who need a very simple, dedicated device. The senior uses an eight-inch tablet with large, straightforward controls, while friends and family connect through the GrandPad ecosystem. The company emphasizes that the device is ready to use without requiring the senior to manage passwords, apps, or complicated settings.

The current GrandPad includes:

8-inch tablet
Touchscreen with stylus
Two-way video calling
Wi-Fi connectivity, with cellular data available on higher-tier plans
Private family network designed to block unwanted calls and scams
Photo sharing, games, music, and internet access
Remote customization by family members
Customer support
Monthly or annual service plans

GrandPad currently lists three plans: a Wi-Fi-only Basic plan, a Premium plan with 3GB of cellular data and voice calling, and an Ultimate plan with 10GB of data and additional support. The tablet is currently listed at $349 before any promotional discount, with service plans beginning at $25 per month.

Best for: Families who want a complete, dedicated tablet with lots of senior-oriented features and support.

2. ViewClix

ViewClix is a particularly interesting choice for someone who may not be able to operate a tablet independently. The device looks and functions like a digital picture frame when it isn’t being used for a call. Family members use the ViewClix mobile app to send photos, videos, and messages and to initiate video calls.

The current models are:

10.1-inch ViewClix 10/e
15.6-inch ViewClix 15/e
Video calling with approved contacts
Encrypted video calls that aren’t recorded
Automatic answering
Family photo and video sharing
“Sticky Notes” for messages and reminders
“Call-Me” feature allowing the senior to request a call
Day Clock and weather information
Wi-Fi required
Free ViewClix mobile app for family members
Premier membership for the full feature set

ViewClix currently lists the 10.1-inch frame at $199 and the 15.6-inch model at $299, plus a $9.95 monthly Premier membership.

Best for: Someone who primarily needs to receive calls and enjoy family photos, with little or no interaction required.

3. Amazon Echo Show

Although the Echo Show is a cheaper alternative, it’s not specifically designed for seniors like the products above. The latest Echo Show 8 features a camera for video calling. Users can make hands-free calls with Alexa.

Some considerations at this point:

Echo Show 5 is a smaller option
Use voice commands to start calls
Other functions available via touchscreen
Video calls, both ways
Drop In can connect/answer automatically (when permissions have been granted)
Family members can use the Alexa app
Requires Wi-Fi
No separate video calling subscription required, just Amazon
Other smart home and entertainment features

The downside is the Echo Show is a general-purpose smart display, not a dementia-specific device. Alexa can make calling easier, but the device offers many other features and settings that could confuse someone with significant cognitive impairment.

Best for: Seniors who can handle basic voice interaction, or families who want a versatile smart display that can do much more than video calls.

4. CallGenie

CallGenie remains available and is still one of the most compelling options for someone who already spends much of the day watching television. Instead of requiring the senior to pick up a tablet or answer a phone, CallGenie puts the video call on the television. One important change: CallGenie now works with Microsoft Teams rather than Skype. Family members can call from a phone, tablet, or computer using Teams.

Current features include:

Uses the senior’s existing television
Auto-answers video calls
Can turn the TV on and select the correct input
Returns the television to its previous state when the call ends
No buttons or apps required for the person receiving the call
Microsoft Teams for callers
Real-time subtitles
Approved-call functionality
No monthly subscription
Twelve months of support and warranty included
Several versions for different room sizes and viewing distances

CallGenie currently lists three versions, priced from $575 to $675.

5. Onscreen

ONSCREEN is another TV-based option that has changed substantially in recent years. The company now offers JoyTV, a set-top device that turns a regular television into a senior-friendly communication and engagement hub.

Like CallGenie, ONSCREEN can automatically answer a video call and turn on the television or switch it to the appropriate input. But the current system goes beyond video calling.

Current JoyTV features include:

Video calls on the television
Automatic answering after a countdown
Ability to turn the TV on and switch inputs automatically
Ability to return the TV to its previous program
Simple remote for the senior
Outgoing calls to family Favorites
Zoom integration
Text, photo, and video messages
Reminders and notifications
Video check-in messages
AI companion features through Joy
Wi-Fi required

ONSCREEN currently lists JoyTV at $149.99 plus $29.99 per month after a 30-day free trial. JoyTablet can turn an iPad or Android tablet into a senior-focused communication device without purchasing dedicated tablet hardware.

Best for: Families who want TV-based video calling but also want reminders, messages, Zoom, and other caregiving features.

6. Komp

Komp is a newer option worth considering, especially for seniors with dementia or other cognitive challenges. It’s a dedicated display with pretty much one physical control. Family members control the device through an app, while the senior looks at the screen and participates in calls.

The present Komp model EV3 includes:

Large 15.6″ display
Single button power and volume control
Automatic answering of video calls
Shared photos within families
SMS messages
Video calls, two-way
Data on orientation in time and day
Wi-Fi and inbuilt 4G
No passwords, no menus for the senior
Remote sleep mode controlled by family

Video calls begin automatically after a 10-second countdown. If the senior doesn’t want to participate, turning the large control button turns Komp off.

Komp currently lists the device at €559 on its European site, with a mandatory family subscription after the introductory period. Availability, pricing and cellular service vary by country, so U.S. families should verify shipping and service before purchasing.

Best for: Seniors with very limited experience with technology who need a device that requires almost nothing from them.

Which device is best for video calling for seniors with dementia?

For a senior who can use a simple tablet, GrandPad is an attractive all-around choice. It combines video calling with photos, games, messaging, and other features, while family members can help manage the experience remotely.

For someone who cannot reliably operate a touchscreen, ViewClix, CallGenie, ONSCREEN, and Komp are more compelling. They can dramatically reduce the amount of interaction required from the senior.

CallGenie is especially appealing if the goal is to make receiving family video calls as effortless as possible: the caller uses Microsoft Teams, while the senior can simply watch the television as the call arrives.

ONSCREEN may be the better choice for a family that wants more than video calls, because its current platform adds outgoing calls, Zoom, reminders, messages, video check-ins, and other caregiving functions.

Komp is another strong contender if a large dedicated screen is preferable and the senior needs an extremely simple interface. Its one-button design and automatic answering make it particularly relevant for people with cognitive or physical limitations.

A note about privacy and automatic answering

Automatic answering can be extremely helpful when a senior cannot reliably find or press an answer button. It can also be a sensitive feature. Families should make sure the senior understands when a call may connect automatically and should use approved-contact lists, schedules, or privacy settings when available.

These devices are designed to make communication easier, but video calling should not be treated as a substitute for supervision when a person cannot safely be left alone. A video call can provide connection and reassurance, but it cannot respond to a fall, wandering, medical emergency, or other situation that requires someone to be physically present.

Finally, while this article focuses on video calling, most of these products now offer considerably more, including photo sharing, messaging, reminders, entertainment, and caregiver tools. Features, prices, and cellular-service availability can change, so check the manufacturer’s current information before making a purchase.

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