July 10, 2026 / July 10, 2026
Published by Executive Home Care | Last Updated: July 2026
Quick Answer: Learning how to video call for seniors is the best way to stay connected with family. For Apple users, FaceTime is the easiest option. For Android users or international calls, WhatsApp is best. For large family gatherings, Zoom is the standard. This guide provides step-by-step instructions for all three, plus a troubleshooting section for when things go wrong.
Video calling is the closest thing to being in the same room, allowing seniors to see the smiles and hear the laughter of their loved ones, no matter the distance.
For many seniors in Victoria BC, the hardest part of aging is not the physical changes — it is the distance from family. When children move to the mainland, or grandchildren head off to university across the country, the house can suddenly feel very quiet. Phone calls are wonderful, but they cannot replace the joy of seeing a grandchild’s new missing tooth, watching a daughter’s new puppy run across the living room, or simply seeing the familiar smile of a loved one.
This is why learning how to video call for seniors is one of the most transformative skills an older adult can acquire. According to Statistics Canada, the share of seniors aged 65 and over who use the internet to communicate with family and friends has grown steadily every year, with video calling now among the most common digital activities for older Canadians. [1] Yet despite its popularity, many seniors in Victoria, Oak Bay, Saanich, Sidney, and Langford still feel intimidated by the technology.
We know that technology can feel overwhelming. The buttons are small, the menus are confusing, and the fear of “breaking something” is very real. That is why we created this guide. At Executive Home Care, our caregivers help seniors navigate these exact challenges every day — in Brentwood Bay, Esquimalt, Colwood, Cobble Hill, View Royal, and Salt Spring Island. We have broken down the three most popular video calling apps — FaceTime, WhatsApp, and Zoom — into simple, step-by-step instructions designed specifically for older adults and the family members helping them.
If you would like a broader overview of all the ways technology can support senior independence, our complete Senior Technology Support Victoria BC guide covers everything from smart home devices to telehealth appointments.
The benefits of video calling go far beyond simple convenience; they have a profound impact on a senior’s mental and emotional health. According to a study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, older adults who use video communication technologies have a significantly lower risk of depressive symptoms compared to those who only use traditional voice calls or no communication technology at all. [2] A separate study from the University of California found that seniors who video called family and friends at least once per week reported higher levels of life satisfaction and lower rates of loneliness than those who did not. [3]
When you can see the person you are talking to, you pick up on non-verbal cues — a smile, a furrowed brow, a nod of understanding. This visual connection triggers the release of oxytocin and dopamine, the brain’s “bonding” chemicals, creating a genuine sense of closeness that a voice-only call simply cannot replicate. For seniors in Greater Victoria experiencing mobility issues or those who are largely homebound, a tablet or smartphone becomes a window to the outside world — and a lifeline to the people they love most.
Senior isolation is a serious health concern in British Columbia. The BC Centre for Disease Control has identified social isolation as a significant risk factor for cognitive decline, cardiovascular disease, and premature mortality among older adults. [4] Video calling is not a luxury; for many seniors, it is a genuine health intervention.
The first hurdle is deciding which app to use. You do not need to learn all of them. The best app is the one that your family already uses and that works on the device you own. Here is a simple breakdown to help you choose.
The key to success is choosing one platform and practicing it until it feels comfortable. You do not need to master them all.
If you own an iPhone or an iPad, and the person you want to call also owns an Apple device, FaceTime is the absolute best choice. It is already installed on your device — no downloading required — it is incredibly reliable, and the buttons are large and easy to understand. This is the app we recommend most often when setting up video calling for seniors across Greater Victoria.
Look for a green square icon with a white video camera inside it on your home screen. Tap it once to open the app. If you cannot find it, swipe down from the top of your screen and type “FaceTime” in the search bar.
At the top right corner of the screen, you will see a green button with a pencil icon that says “New FaceTime.” Tap it. A keyboard will appear at the bottom of the screen.
Type the name of the person you want to call — if they are saved in your contacts, their name will appear in a list below as you type. Tap their name. You will see it turn blue in a small bubble at the top of the screen.
At the bottom of the screen, you will see a green button that says “FaceTime” with a video camera icon. Tap it. Your camera will turn on, and you will hear a ringing sound until they answer. You will see a small preview of yourself in the corner of the screen — this is normal.
Once connected, you will see your family member’s face filling most of the screen. To mute yourself temporarily (so they cannot hear background noise), tap the screen once to bring up the controls, then tap the microphone icon. To switch from the front camera to the rear camera, tap the camera flip icon. To end the call, tap the red button with the phone icon.
When someone calls you, your device will ring loudly and their name or picture will appear on the screen. To answer with video, tap the green button that says “Accept.” If you would prefer to answer with audio only (no camera), tap the small arrow next to “Accept” and choose “Answer as Audio Call.” To decline a call, tap the red button that says “Decline.”
If you or your family members use Android phones (like Samsung, Google Pixel, or LG), or if you have family living internationally, WhatsApp is the gold standard. It is free, uses end-to-end encryption for privacy, and works seamlessly across all types of devices and operating systems. Many families in Victoria BC use WhatsApp to stay connected with relatives in the Philippines, India, the UK, and across Europe.
Open the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android) and search for “WhatsApp.” Download the free app. You will need to verify your phone number during setup — WhatsApp will send a text message with a 6-digit code. Enter that code and your account is ready.
Look for a green circle icon with a white telephone receiver inside a speech bubble. Tap it to open the app. At the bottom of the screen, tap the “Chats” icon. Then tap the pencil icon in the top right corner to start a new conversation. Scroll through your list and tap the name of the person you want to call.
Once you are in the chat screen with that person, look at the top right corner of the screen. You will see a small icon that looks like a video camera. Tap it. WhatsApp will ask if you want to start a video call — tap “Video Call.” The call will begin immediately.
The controls work the same as FaceTime. Tap the screen to bring up the buttons. The microphone icon mutes your audio. The camera icon turns your video on or off. The red phone button ends the call.
When a call comes in, your screen will show the caller’s name and photo. You will see a green button with a video camera icon. Depending on your phone, you either tap the green button or swipe it upward to answer. To decline, tap or swipe the red button. To end the call when you are finished, tap the red phone button.
Need hands-on help setting this up? Our caregivers provide patient, one-on-one technology support for seniors across Victoria BC — in your home, at your pace.
Learn About Our Tech Support
Call or text Leah: 250–213–6836
Zoom became a household name during the pandemic, and it remains the best tool for gathering multiple households on one screen. It is slightly more complex than FaceTime or WhatsApp because it uses “meeting links” rather than direct contact calls, but once you understand the process it is very manageable — and the ability to see 10 or 20 family members all at once on a holiday call is genuinely wonderful.
Open the App Store or Google Play Store and search for “Zoom.” Download the free app. You do not need to create an account to join a meeting — only the person hosting the call needs an account.
Usually, a family member will “host” the meeting and send you an invitation via email or text message. This invitation will contain a long blue link that says something like “Join Zoom Meeting,” along with a Meeting ID number and a Passcode. Save this information before the call.
A few minutes before the scheduled time, tap or click the blue “Join Zoom Meeting” link. The Zoom app will open automatically. It may ask you to enter your name — type your first name and press “Continue.” If asked for a passcode, enter the one from the invitation.
This is the step where most people get stuck. When you first enter the meeting, Zoom will ask how you want to connect audio. Always choose “Call using Internet Audio” or “Join with Computer Audio.” Once you are in, look at the bottom left corner of the screen. You will see a microphone icon and a video camera icon. If either has a red line through it, tap it once to turn it on so your family can see and hear you.
To see all participants at once, tap “Gallery View” in the top right corner. To focus on whoever is speaking, tap “Speaker View.” To raise your hand or react with an emoji, tap “Reactions” at the bottom of the screen. To leave the call, tap “Leave” in the top right corner, then confirm by tapping “Leave Meeting.”
Knowing which buttons to press is only half the battle. To have a truly enjoyable video call, the physical setup matters just as much. Here are the key tips our caregivers share with every senior client we help set up for video calling.
Cameras need light to work well. Never sit with a bright window directly behind you, or you will appear as a dark silhouette on the other person’s screen. Instead, sit facing a window so the natural light illuminates your face. If it is evening, position a lamp directly in front of you — not behind or to the side.
Holding a tablet or phone for 30 minutes is exhausting, and a shaky camera can make the person on the other end feel dizzy. Invest in a simple, inexpensive tablet stand or phone holder — they are available at any electronics store or online for under $20. Place it on a table at eye level so the camera is pointed directly at your face, not up your nose or at the ceiling. This keeps the camera steady and leaves your hands free to gesture naturally or hold a cup of tea.
Before the call starts, use the physical buttons on the side of your device to turn the volume all the way up. Test it by playing a short video. If you wear hearing aids with Bluetooth capabilities, many modern devices can connect directly to them, streaming the audio straight into your ears for crystal-clear sound — ask your audiologist or our caregivers to help set this up.
Video calls use a large amount of data. Always ensure your device is connected to your home Wi-Fi before starting a call. Look for the Wi-Fi symbol (a series of curved lines) at the top of your screen — if it is there, you are connected. If not, go to Settings and connect to your home network before calling.
While smartphones work, the screen is often too small for comfortable viewing. An iPad or a similar tablet (like a Samsung Galaxy Tab) is generally the best choice for seniors. The larger screen makes it easier to see family members’ faces and expressions, and the buttons are larger and easier to tap. A tablet paired with a sturdy stand is the ideal setup for regular video calling.
Even with the best preparation, things sometimes go wrong. Here are the six most common video calling problems our caregivers encounter — and exactly how to fix each one.
This is the most common issue. It almost always means your microphone is muted. Look at the screen for a microphone icon — if it has a red line through it, tap it once to unmute. Also check the physical volume buttons on the side of your device and ensure they are turned up. On Zoom specifically, check that you selected “Join with Computer Audio” when you entered the meeting.
A blurry or freezing image is almost always caused by a slow internet connection. First, make sure you are connected to Wi-Fi (not cellular data). If you are already on Wi-Fi, try moving closer to your router. If the problem persists, turn your device off completely, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. This refreshes the internet connection.
Apps can sometimes get moved accidentally. Swipe down from the top of your screen (on iPhone) or swipe up from the bottom (on Android) to open the search bar. Type the name of the app — FaceTime, WhatsApp, or Zoom — and it will appear. Tap and hold the app icon, then drag it back to your home screen for easy access next time.
Dropped calls are usually a Wi-Fi signal issue. Try moving to a different room that is closer to your router. Alternatively, ask a family member or caregiver to restart your router (unplug it, wait 30 seconds, plug it back in). If calls drop regularly, it may be time to speak with your internet provider about upgrading your plan.
This happens to everyone. Simply call the person back using the same steps as before. On FaceTime and WhatsApp, you can also tap the “Recents” tab to see your recent calls and tap the person’s name to call them again with one tap.
When a call comes in, your screen will light up and ring. The answer button is always green (with a phone or camera icon) and the decline button is always red. If you miss a call, do not worry — look for a notification on your screen or a missed call indicator in the app. You can call them back from there.
We understand that reading instructions is very different from actually doing it. For many seniors, the fear of pressing the wrong button prevents them from even trying. That is where professional, in-home support makes all the difference.
At Executive Home Care, our Family Connection & Social Media Support service is designed specifically to bridge this digital divide. We do not just hand you a manual and leave; we sit beside you in your living room, on your sofa, and practice together until you feel genuinely confident. Our caregivers serve seniors across all of Greater Victoria — including Victoria, Oak Bay, Saanich, Sidney, Langford, Colwood, Esquimalt, Brentwood Bay, View Royal, Cobble Hill, and Salt Spring Island.
Our caregivers provide patient, hands-on support to ensure technology empowers you rather than frustrates you.
Yes, video calling requires an internet connection. While you can use cellular data (like 4G or 5G) on a smartphone, video calls use a significant amount of data and can quickly become expensive if you do not have an unlimited plan. It is always best to connect your device to your home Wi-Fi before starting a video call. Look for the Wi-Fi symbol at the top of your screen to confirm you are connected.
This is the most common issue in video calling. It almost always means your microphone is muted. Look at the screen for an icon that looks like a microphone — if it has a red line through it, tap it once to unmute yourself. Also check the physical volume buttons on the side of your device to ensure the sound is turned up all the way.
Yes. FaceTime, WhatsApp, and Zoom all use end-to-end encryption to protect your calls, meaning no one else can listen in or view your video feed. However, you should only accept video calls from people you know and trust. If an unknown number or email address tries to video call you, simply decline it.
While smartphones work well, the screen is often too small for comfortable viewing. An iPad or a similar tablet (like a Samsung Galaxy Tab) is generally the best choice. The larger screen makes it easier to see family members’ faces, the buttons are larger and easier to tap, and the speakers are louder. A tablet paired with a sturdy stand placed at eye level is the ideal setup for regular video calling.
Yes. Zoom works on any computer — including a desktop or laptop — through a web browser, with no smartphone required. If you have a computer with a built-in camera and microphone (most modern laptops do), you can join a Zoom call simply by clicking the meeting link in an email. Our caregivers can set this up for you and ensure your computer’s camera and microphone are working correctly before your first call.
Every device has accessibility settings that can enlarge text, increase button sizes, and boost display contrast. On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size and increase the text size slider. On Android, go to Settings > Accessibility > Font Size. Our caregivers routinely adjust these settings for every senior client to ensure the device is as comfortable and easy to use as possible.
Technology should never be a barrier to family connection — it should be the bridge. By mastering just one of these video calling platforms, you open up a world of regular, meaningful interaction with the people you love most. And when something goes wrong, you now have the troubleshooting knowledge to fix it yourself.
If you or your parents in Victoria BC are still struggling with technology, you do not have to figure it out alone. Executive Home Care provides patient, dignified, in-home support to help seniors across Greater Victoria navigate the digital world with confidence. For a complete overview of all the technology support services we offer, visit our Senior Technology Support Victoria BC page.
Contact Leah today to learn how our technology support services can help your family stay close — no matter the distance.
Book Your Free Consultation
Or call/text Leah directly: 250–213–6836
[1] Statistics Canada. (2023). Canadian seniors more connected than ever. Retrieved from https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/
[2] Teo, A. R., Markwardt, S., & Hinton, L. (2019). Using Skype to beat the blues: Longitudinal data from a national representative sample. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. Retrieved from https://www.jmir.org/
[3] Chopik, W. J. (2016). The benefits of social technology use among older adults are mediated by reduced loneliness. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking. Retrieved from https://www.liebertpub.com/
[4] BC Centre for Disease Control. (2022). Social isolation and loneliness among older adults in British Columbia. Retrieved from http://www.bccdc.ca/
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