The pandemic taught us the value of face-to-face connection, even when we can't be in the same room. For grandparents, video calling has become more than just technology—it's a lifeline to watching grandchildren grow up, reading bedtime stories from across the country, and maintaining close family bonds despite distance. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Many seniors initially feel intimidated by video calling, worrying they'll do something wrong or look awkward on camera. The reality is that your family just wants to see you, regardless of technical perfection. Children especially love video calls with grandparents and often become the best teachers, patiently helping you learn the technology.

Modern video calling is remarkably simple and reliable. Most calls connect automatically, the video quality is usually excellent, and if something goes wrong, you can always hang up and try again. The emotional benefits—seeing facial expressions, sharing daily moments, and maintaining closer connections—far outweigh any minor technical learning curve.<

1. Choose an app like FaceTime, WhatsApp, or Zoom based on what your family uses
2. Position yourself with good lighting (facing a window) and camera at eye level
3. Test your audio in a quiet room before important calls
4. Prepare activities like showing books, crafts, or playing simple games like "I Spy"
5. When done, don't worry about technical perfection - your family just wants to see you!

Gil can help you set up video calling on your specific device and suggest fun activities to do with grandchildren during calls. ❤️