Family Video Calling for Seniors: TV vs. Tablets vs. Phones

It often starts with a good intention and a bad connection. You call your mom on her phone, but she can’t find the button. Your dad’s tablet dies halfway through a conversation. A week later, you try again, this time with a new app. It works!… until it doesn’t.

For many families, staying connected with older parents and grandparents has become a hassle instead of a handy lifeline.

Gerontechnology research, including a 2022 narrative review of video-call interventions, finds that remote video contact can significantly improve social connection for older adults, but only when the technology matches seniors’ sensory, motor, and cognitive needs. Outcomes vary widely depending on device, interface design, and support. 

Smartphones, tablets, and video apps promise connection, but for seniors, the reality often includes small screens, confusing interfaces, and unreliable calls, a common challenge in family video calling.

In this article, we’ll compare the three main senior video calling devices — phones, tablets, and TV systems — through the lens of real senior needs. We’ll touch on where each device excels, where it falls short, and when TV-based video calling, like JubileeTV, becomes the most effective, stress-free way to stay close.

Choosing the right communication tool for your aging parent isn’t just about features — it’s about what actually works in daily life. Here’s how we evaluated senior video calling options:

Can seniors hear clearly, even with mild hearing loss? Are captions or volume adjustments available? Can seniors easily see the person they’re talking to? Are facial expressions and gestures recognizable?

Older adults often face challenges related to vision, hearing, dexterity, or cognitive load. Platforms should accommodate these needs with large, high-contrast buttons, clear audio, minimal navigation steps, and predictable interfaces.

How often do adult children or caregivers have to provide technical help? 

Families are often the “tech support” behind the scenes. Evaluate each elderly family communication device for setup complexity, the level of ongoing support required, and how consistently calls actually happen.

How often do calls connect successfully, and how often do they drop?

Assess core system performance, including video quality, audio clarity, and connection stability across different devices and internet speeds. A smooth, uninterrupted call is the foundation of a positive experience.

What’s the total cost of ownership (device + subscriptions + upgrades) over time? Does it foster real connection, or does it create frustration?

Weigh the initial investment, ongoing subscription or data costs, and the overall value of the experience. The best solution balances affordability with the emotional and practical payoff of staying connected.

Smartphones are everywhere, and they’re often the first tool families try. They’re convenient, familiar, and portable. but not always senior-friendly.

A 2024 AARP Technology Trends report found that 89% of adults aged 50 and older own a smartphone. Yet, access doesn’t always translate to usability. According to California Mobility data, 48% of seniors have never used video chat at all. 

Smartphones can offer many advantages for seniors.

For all their upsides, the downsides are equally notable.

A 2025 study found that age-related changes in vision and cognition significantly reduce usability on small screens. In contrast, simplified navigation and larger displays help older adults engage in online conversations with greater ease and less frustration.

Common hurdles include vision difficulties when reading small text, navigating between apps or call screens, and managing incoming or missed calls. These challenges can lead to frustration and reduce how often seniors actually initiate video calls on their own.

For family members, smartphones can require frequent setup assistance, ongoing troubleshooting, and patience with inconsistent call success rates. Even when apps are familiar, notifications, software updates, and password resets often create new barriers.

Best for: Smartphones are best suited for highly mobile seniors or those with basic, low-frequency communication needs such as short, casual check ins rather than long conversations. Independent, tech-confident seniors who use smartphones daily may get the most out of this tech solution.

Smartphones remain a practical choice when simplicity and convenience outweigh ergonomic comfort. Read more about how TV versus phone communication for seniors compares.

Tablets were once considered the ideal compromise between phones and computers as a larger, more accessible screen without the complexity of a laptop. But even tablets have limits when it comes to consistent, stress-free family communication.

Tablets strike a balance between the portability of smartphones and the larger displays of computers and offer a middle ground for seniors seeking video call convenience.

Tablets provide a larger screen than smartphones which makes faces and text easier to see than on a phone. They remain portable enough to move around the home and typically involve moderate interface complexity. For instance, a tablet’s touch interface is more simple for swiping and tapping when dexterity allows, which can be more approachable than full computers for many seniors. 

Despite the larger screen, tablets still require holding or propping, which can be tiring. Battery management becomes a factor for longer calls, and interface navigation can still challenge seniors unfamiliar with touchscreen gestures or app layouts.

While better than phones, most interfaces aren’t built for impaired vision or hearing. Also caregivers often need to handle installation, account management, and troubleshooting. According to a JubileeTV survey, almost 60% of remote caregivers have had to make avoidable trips in person, usually just to fix a simple tech problem.

Tablets improve visibility and offer a more immersive calling experience. However, usability issues remain, particularly for seniors with limited dexterity or cognitive challenges, and multitasking across apps can be confusing.

Even with simplified devices like the GrandPad or Apple’s Accessibility mode, tablets remain a maintenance-heavy option for families who want something that “just works.” Tablets present moderate setup complexity and ongoing technical support needs. Once configured, they typically require fewer interventions than smartphones, but updates, charging, and app troubleshooting still fall to caregivers.

Best for: Tablets are ideal for moderately tech-savvy seniors with occasional communication needs — for example, weekly family calls or group chats with grandchildren — and reliable caregiver support nearby. They offer a respectable compromise between size, portability, and usability.

TV-based video calling solutions turn the living room television into a communication hub. It combines familiar technology with senior-friendly design for effortless video chats.

TVs provide the largest screen, best sound, and most natural setting for conversation. For seniors already comfortable using their television daily, this approach eliminates the steep learning curve associated with mobile devices.

TV-based video calling solutions like JubileeTV provide one of the most senior-friendly options available today.

These systems provide an optimal screen size for easy viewing, a familiar environment that reduces stress, and hands-free operation. And the ease of set-up is second to none: for instance, JubileeTV connects easily to most modern televisions and Wi-Fi networks through a small plug-in console and voice-controlled remote.

Users can see every expression clearly, even from across the room. Since the TV remote is already second nature, it's typically easier for seniors to initiate and manage calls (especially when smartphones or tablets feel too complicated). 

Televisions come ready made with professional-grade audio/video that is optimized for clear voices and realistic visuals. And, importantly, they allow seniors to participate in calls without holding a device.

Seniors report higher engagement, lower technology anxiety, and longer, more enjoyable (and natural feeling) conversations with family when using TV-based communication systems. Families, in turn, note fewer technical interruptions and less support burden. This translates to fewer calls for help, fewer “frozen screen” moments, and fewer forgotten passwords.

Best for: TV-based calling is ideal for regular family communication and households focused on providing senior users — especially those with visual, auditory, or dexterity challenges — a reliable, accessible, immersive, and frustration-free way to stay connected and communicate.

Evaluating video calling solutions for seniors requires both quantitative and qualitative analysis. Our video calling platform comparison evaluates each device across usability, visibility, reliability, and family satisfaction.

While smartphones and tablets can work, they often require continual family intervention. TV-based calling systems like JubileeTV deliver the most consistent connection success.

• Communication success rate analysis: Success rates were determined based on how often scheduled calls successfully connected, sustained video/audio quality, and senior-initiated call frequency. TV-based systems consistently achieved the highest rates, followed closely by dedicated video calling devices, reflecting their ease of use and stability.

• Total cost of ownership: Over a 3 year period, total ownership costs depend on both hardware and ongoing service requirements. Smartphones and tablets incur higher ongoing expenses due to data plans and potential replacements. In contrast, TV-based and dedicated devices require lower recurring costs once installed.

• Family satisfaction and engagement: Family feedback shows a strong preference for TV-based solutions, citing fewer setup issues and more consistent engagement with seniors. Dedicated devices also scored well for ease of support and emotional satisfaction. A 2023 study in Information (an MDPI Journal) confirmed that regular family video contact significantly improves well-being and reduces perceived loneliness among older adults provided the technology supports ease of use and accessibility.

• Technical performance and real-world testing: In controlled home trials, TV-based systems outperformed all other categories in video quality, audio clarity, and connection stability. Tablets performed solidly across metrics but showed higher variability based on Wi-Fi signal strength and user handling.

Smooth, frustration-free video calls depend on both hardware and connection quality. For HD video, most platforms require between 1–4 Mbps upload speed per participant, while maintaining at least 5–10 Mbps total household bandwidth ensures stable, high-quality performance.

Smartphone video calling typically uses 150–1000 Kbps of bandwidth, depending on the app and resolution.Performance is highly dependent on the device, network, and whether the user is moving or stationary.

Meanwhile, TV-based systems like JubileeTV use optimized compression to maintain HD clarity around 500 Kbps. This helps prevent call drops even on average home Wi-Fi networks.

On the audio front, TV’s HD audio (sometimes called “wideband”) transmission offers a frequency range of 50 Hz–7,000 Hz, compared to 300–3,400 Hz for traditional narrowband audio (like that of a smartphone). With TV audio, listeners have access to a fuller range of tones that make conversations sound more natural — from deep voices to higher-pitched speech. A smartphone speaker might reach about the volume of a normal conversation, whereas a TV can play sound as loudly as someone speaking across a room. 

TV video calling’s technical edges mean clearer, more intelligible speech for seniors with mild hearing loss.

Every senior — and every family dynamic — is different. Selecting the family communication technology for your senior loved one should be less about features and more about aligning technology with your family’s real human needs. Here’s a quick decision framework to get you closer to the right option for you.

Begin shopping for senior video calling solutions by identifying your goals for staying connected. Are calls meant to be brief check-ins or long, regular conversations? Next, assess senior capabilities, including vision, hearing, dexterity, and cognitive load, to determine which device type offers the right balance of independence and ease of use.

Families can then use a few guiding questions to narrow their options:

• Is your loved one comfortable using touchscreens or apps?

• Do they have vision or hearing challenges?

• Can the senior easily see and hear during calls on their current device?

• Do you frequently provide tech support? How much assistance is typically needed to start or manage a call?

• How frequently do calls drop or fail due to technical issues?

• Do you want to increase call success rates and reduce missed connections and confusion with a fixed, always-ready system?

In addition, assess implementation and support considerations.

Each device type comes with its own setup and maintenance needs. Smartphones and tablets may require frequent updates and troubleshooting, while TV-based systems and dedicated video calling devices offer more stability with minimal upkeep. 

Families should plan for an initial training period, clear labeling or instructions, and ongoing check-ins to ensure comfort and confidence.

Our senior communication device comparison highlights which devices minimize frustration and maximize connection. TV-based systems like JubileeTV comes out as the clear winner.

The system provides:

• Auto-answer and family-initiated calls: Loved ones never miss a call.

• Remote support: Adult children can manage settings and updates without visiting in person.

• Accessibility-first design: Large fonts, high-contrast visuals, and live captions.

• Peace of mind: Remote check-ins called “drop-in calls” enable unintrusive wellness checks.

• Affordable pricing: Starts around $39/month ($32 if you bill annually), which is less than most smartphone plans.

Plus, its comprehensive setup instructions make it easy to set up. And once that’s squared away, its plug-and-play design minimizes family tech support needs, and its privacy controls support both independence and safety. If you need a helping hand, every JubileeTV Membership includes a virtual install call with an advisor who will guide you through the process step by step. If you prefer hands-on support, you can also upgrade to professional in-home installation, where a technician will visit your loved one’s home and install for you.

In short, JubileeTV was designed specifically for the moment when families realize connection should be easy, not exhausting.