Living in today’s digital world, advanced technology and products make things more effortless than ever to stay connected with family. Technology has paved the way for how we communicate, allowing families to maintain close relationships no matter where they are located.
Numerous tools are available for loved ones to stay in touch and care for each other, from video apps to smart home devices. Let’s take a look into and explore some of the best apps and tools that help keep families connected, including innovative devices you might consider to manage your time with loved ones.
Video Conference and Messaging
One of the primary technological advancements in helping families stay connected is through video calling and messaging. There are multiple apps to supply communication where you can see and talk in real-time to the other person, so let’s look at some of the best ones. Many of these apps and tools are free to use, making them affordable and convenient.
Zoom has become a staple for household video calls, even though its original design was for professional meetings. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Zoom became the most popular method for communication, with features including screen sharing, virtual backgrounds, and breakout rooms, so it’s an excellent tool for family gatherings and online celebrations.
Next to Zoom, FaceTime is the next most popular video app, but is exclusive to only Apple users. It provides a high-quality video call experience on iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Families with elderly family members needing user-friendly interfaces to make using technology a breeze find FaceTime beneficial.
Another app for smartphones and mobile devices, WhatsApp gives families messaging, voice, and video calls with end-to-end encryption. The security and reliability of the platform ensure private messaging and video, making it a great choice for family conversations.
One last video and voice calling platform is Skype. It provides real-time translations for multi-lingual families so you can converse from overseas!
Social Media
Social media has been and continues to be a powerful way to keep up to date with family activities and events. Facebook and Instagram allow for users to share photos, videos, reels, and stories, allowing family members to keep connected. Facebook groups are another useful tool that can be created to help to organize family events and keep everyone informed about necessary updates.
Smart Home Devices
Smart home devices make connecting and communication easy for families. You can check on elderly parents or make interactions with family more accessible through some of these tools.
JubileeTV Universal Voice Remote
The advanced remote design from JubileeTV is designed to assist seniors through television navigation and make things more simple with voice commands. It allows family members not in the home to help with navigation and makes entertainment more enjoyable by minimizing the need to manage multiple remote controls.
Nest Hubs are handy to have in homes due to their ability to make video calls and control smart home devices like lights. You can also stay organized with calendar reminders.
With an HD smart display and Alexa integration, the Echo Show enables hands-free video calls for families, control of smart home devices, news updates, and even medication reminders, which can be helpful for seniors.
Family Organization Tools
Staying connected through apps that can help keep family members safe and organized helps to go beyond simple communication. Apps like Life360 allow for the sharing of locations, so you can keep track of when loved ones arrive and leave locations. You can also access emergency assistance if needed through the app.
The Cozi Family Calendar is ideal for families who have to keep track of many busy schedules. You can share calendars, create to-do lists, and plan meals and reminders so that everyone is on the same page.
For elderly parents who need more quality care, the Medisafe Pill Reminder app is perfect for families who need to ensure they track medications so no doses are missed. They can also be helpful in the short term when needing to take medicine after surgery or when starting a new medication.
Care in Technology
There are countless ways for families to stay connected through the use of technology, with solutions that cater to various needs like video calls, updates, smart home devices, and entertainment.
Many of these tools help enhance seniors' independence, and family members can still keep tabs and provide care from afar. There is much accessibility to these tools so all family members can use them without needing much help. By leveraging technology through apps and tools, families can maintain strong bonds and ensure no one feels isolated or alone.