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Original poster

Help Videocall set up for non tech Elderly self isolating

28 replies

FlossyFlara · 01/04/2020 20:08

Hi Can anyone suggest a product to allow us to videocall our elderly mother in law - she is an at risk person and is self isolating on her own. She doesn't know how to use a mobile and does not have Broadband. We are not on facebook some have suggested that but we don't use it. A company called Konnekt came up in searches but looks Australian. Need to get her some help fast she is also recently bereaved and think videocalling would help her greatly. Need something very easy for her to use. thanks

OP posts:
Twaddledee · 01/04/2020 20:10

Hope you find something suitable OP

JuniperBeer · 01/04/2020 20:11

I think without broadband your easiest bet might be teaching her to learn how to WhatsApp video call?
Does she have a smart phone?

pocketem · 01/04/2020 21:19

I'd get two Amazon Echo show devices. They are half price on Amazon at the moment, you can get two Echo Show 8 for £120, less than the price of a low end smartphone. You can set it up for her and then video calling is as simple as saying "Alexa, call Flossy". You can also set it up to allow drop-in so she doesn't have to manually answer incoming calls

pocketem · 01/04/2020 21:19

Sorry, just read she doesn't have broadband. She won't be able to do video calling without it

Original poster
FlossyFlara · 01/04/2020 22:07

thank you for your responses - I am a bit green myself didn't even see these responses come through - thought I would get an alert somewhere ? blimey I have got no chance helping her if I cant even do this :(

OP posts:
Original poster
FlossyFlara · 01/04/2020 22:09

No smartphone JuniperBeer she cant use even a basic mobile.

OP posts:
Sharpkat · 01/04/2020 22:15

With no mobile and no broadband I am struggling to think of options. Does she have an iPad? Kindle? Laptop?

KittenVsBox · 01/04/2020 22:21

What size screen would she be after? I'm guessing a mobile phone would be too small?
Some Samsung tablets have a SIM slot. I'm sure others may gave this capability.
Could you get a tablet with a SIM slot, and SIM card with data in a cheap package. Then set it up at home with your preferred videocalling program and post to her?

That said, if she cant use mobile, she might well not cope with WhatsApp/Skype calling. She will also have to charge it.

RemoveAllPicturesOfRon · 01/04/2020 22:24

I have been extolling the virtues of Komp (www.noisolation.com) since ordering one for my 96 year old granny. Big screen, one button, remotely controlled by you, impossible to break! Broadband / WiFi required but you could use a dongle. It is fab.

TARSCOUT · 01/04/2020 22:27

Just a thought but my DM isn't interested in Skype or anything like that, she is quite happy with a landline call which is what shes used to. Perhaps you don't need to worry so much for the moment? Alternatively you can buy her a smartphone and set it up for her with internet data on the phone. Clear all other apps on it so it is just a phone with telephone and whatsapp?

Elskerdeg · 01/04/2020 22:35

You need a device and Internet access. How cheap this will be depends on what you can get hold of

Does she have a laptop or a tablet? Do you have a spare one or a spare phone? Do you know anyone who could lend you one? If not you are looking at getting something, and so I'd go for a mobile. I know you said she doesnt know how to use it but it can be set up so she just has to press answer for example. This could also be useful for her to have after all this.

You then need intenet access. Does she have a friendly neighbour that might share their wifi code temporarily? If not I'd go for a no contract phone plan like giffgaff that can be cancelled when needed. I can advise you on stuff like this if you go that route.

Then you could just set it up so that it is as easy as possible to use and post it through the door to her. I'm happy to help you set it up if you aren't confident. Chances are that you don't live right by me, but I bet that there are people in your local area who could help as shes a vulnerable person. I'd google your local coronavirus support group and ask there

Original poster
FlossyFlara · 01/04/2020 22:38

I have a spare Lenovo which I thought about getting a dongle for (bearing in mind I am not a techie either) thank you to everyone for your suggestions and apologies if I don't answer everyone. RemoveAllPicturesOfRon this sounds along the lines of what I am after but not sure if a dongle would be strong enough - do you think it would be an what do I need to order ? thanks

OP posts:
Elskerdeg · 01/04/2020 22:44

The lenovo and a dongle should work great. Get rid of anything on the screen she doesn't need and make it as simple as possible

Original poster
FlossyFlara · 01/04/2020 22:52

Elskerdeg no neighbour to share wifi, I may need to go down the mobile route so may look at giffgaff - but like the sound of KOMP from 'RemoveAllPicturesOfRon' s message. want something as simple as possible. Shame there is nothing out there to just rent and they set it up for you. Sounds like a business opportunity to me shame I am not that bright :)

OP posts:
Original poster
FlossyFlara · 01/04/2020 22:56

Elskerdeg any suggestions on what Dongle I should get please ?

OP posts:
ScienceNut · 01/04/2020 22:58

What about this?

ScienceNut · 01/04/2020 22:58

Damn wifi

Original poster
FlossyFlara · 01/04/2020 23:00

do you have to be on facebook ScienceNut to use it ? none of us are on it ? thanks

OP posts:
tigerbear · 01/04/2020 23:20

We had a very similar issue with my dad.
He didn’t have a smartphone or broadband.
Last week, my brother ordered him a router to get him on wireless internet.
Somehow talked him through set up of this remotely.
Then my DP talked him through getting into his Facebook account and into Messenger to then get on video calls.
It took us about 4 hours of patiently going through it, but happy to say my 73 year old dad can now do video calls!! Smile

tigerbear · 01/04/2020 23:20

I would say that it might be easiest to set up Facebook accounts, somehow.

RemoveAllPicturesOfRon · 01/04/2020 23:23

Hi again - the KOMP is available for rent, 3 month contract then month by month after that. It’s about £30 a month. Don’t know about the dongle - sorry - you might be better off just getting broadband.

Elskerdeg · 01/04/2020 23:24

I'd seriously consider the mobile if her eyes are good enough (you can change font sizes etc) as knowing how to do the very basics on a mobile has long term value. For reference if you look at plans know that 1gb of data is around 4 hours of Skype.

Whatever device you use will need setting up, making as accessible as possible, and cancelling unnecessary updates. This is easier than you probably think.

I wouldn't like to advise you on which dongle as I have never had to use a dongle. All I can say is search online for the best deal, don't get in a long-term contract but go with a monthly one, work out roughly how many gb you will need (1gb=4hrs ish), and check reviews as some dongles seem to have terrible reviews.

jimmyhill · 01/04/2020 23:35

It's not possible.

If she can't even use a mobile she is likely to find it impossible and stressful to start from scratch at this point.

Does she have a DVD player? You could burn videos of yourself onto DVDs for her.

tigerbear · 02/04/2020 09:17

@jimmyhill it’s not impossible.
That’s exactly what we thought about my dads situation last week.
He can’t even use his very basic mobile, ie can’t text or anything.
We thought it wasn’t possible either, but the alternative was of him being totally isolated, like the OP’s MIL., so we had to give it a go, and it worked!

@FlossyFlara my advice would be to find someone in your family/friends who IS tech literate. If you aren’t, don’t even try to do it yourself, as it could confuse your MIL further.
I knew that there was no way I could advise my dad, but DP was brilliant at talking him through it patiently.

Secondly, after we’d home through setting him up, it did make we wonder if there’s an official organisation to help in these situations, and there is!
They’re called Elder Tech, I’d check to see if they’re able to help your MIL.
Good luck!