Nursing homes are closing the doors to visitors to protect the elderly against infection with the coronavirus. Video calling is a way for the elderly to keep in touch with family and friends. NU.nl explains how you can do this.
Even with cold symptoms, Minister Hugo de Jonge (Public Health) does not recommend visiting elderly people. But by giving them a laptop, tablet or smartphone, for example, they can continue to see and speak to loved ones, even if it is via a screen.
It is not always clear how video calling works exactly. In this article, we explain the most common video calling services and how to start and end a call.
An old device is already sufficient
Video calling can be done in many ways, for example via the webcam of a computer, but in this article we focus on phones. If there is a camera on the front, that is often enough. Do you have an old (er) device in the cupboard that is no longer used? Then you can hand it over to an older family member for video calling. Don’t forget the charger.
Make it as easy as possible for the other person, especially if they are not so tech-savvy. For example, make sure the video calling app is already installed. In addition, arrange in advance that (if necessary) an account has been created and that contacts have been added. A highly visible location of the app on the device is also recommended, so that the start-up icon of the program can be found without problems.
Skype
Skype is one of the most popular video calling programs. The app can be used on most devices, for example on Apple and Samsung phones, but also on tablets and laptops. Using Skype requires a suitable device and an internet connection.
This is how you start a video call via Skype
- Open Skype and sign in with your Skype name and password
- Tap the icon with the word ‘Contacts’
- Choose the person you want to call from the list
- Tap the camera icon to video call the other person
- When the other person records, the video starts and you can both be seen
- When the call is finished, press the red button to hang up
–
–
–
Video calling with WhatsApp requires the phone to have a SIM card so that a number is connected. The device must also be connected to a wireless Internet connection.
This is how you start a video call on WhatsApp
- Open WhatsApp
- Under ‘Chats’, tap the person you want to call
- Select the camera icon at the top of the screen, next to the phone call
- The call is requested, when the other person answers the call begins
- Press the red button to hang up
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
FaceTime
On an iPhone 4 or newer, you can make standard video calls via the FaceTime program. All that is required is a wireless internet connection.
Note: Both the caller and the receiver must be in possession of an iPhone, iPad or Macbook, otherwise FaceTime will not work.
This is how you start a conversation on FaceTime
- Tap the FaceTime icon
- Choose the + in the top right corner
- Tap the + again and choose a name from the contacts list
- An overview of the data of the person appears, by tapping the camera icon with the word ‘video’ the other person is called
- If the other person accepts the conversation, you can see each other
- When the call is over, tap the red button to hang up
–
–
–
– .
