Keeping Your Elderly Parent Connected with Technology
Your parent doesn't need to become tech-savvy. They need tech that works without them thinking about it.
The Technology Spectrum
Not all technology requires learning. The right choice depends on your parent's willingness to learn, their physical abilities, and what problem you're actually trying to solve. This table ranks options from zero effort to moderate effort.
| Technology | Learning Curve | Cost | Best For | Setup Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landline phone | None | $25–$50/month (Telstra, Optus) | Parents who already have one and won't change | Already done |
| Daily call service (KindlyCall) | None | From $1/week | Daily wellness check-in, isolation prevention, family peace of mind | 5 minutes (family sets up online) |
| Medical alert pendant | None | $30–$60/month (VitalCall, MePACS, Life Alert) | Fall detection, emergency response | 15 minutes |
| GPS tracker (clip-on) | None | $150–$300 device + $10–$20/month SIM | Parents with dementia or wandering risk | 10 minutes (family sets up) |
| Smart home sensors | None | $200–$500 one-off (IntelliCare, Lively) | Passive monitoring — movement, door opens, fridge access | 1–2 hours (one-time install) |
| Simple mobile (Doro, Opel) | Low | $80–$200 phone + $15–$30/month plan | Calls and texts with large buttons, SOS button | 30 minutes |
| Smart display (Echo Show, Nest Hub) | Low | $100–$300 one-off | Voice-only video calls, reminders, music, weather | 30–45 minutes |
| Digital photo frame (Skylight, Nixplay) | Low | $150–$350 one-off | Family photos sent remotely; grandchildren's pictures appear automatically | 20 minutes |
| Tablet (iPad) | Medium | $500–$800 + optional $10–$30/month data | FaceTime, photos, browsing, games — for parents willing to learn | 1–2 hours + ongoing support |
| Medication dispenser (MedMinder, Webster-Pak Timer) | Low | $50–$150/month (dispensing service) | Automated medication reminders with alerts if doses are missed | 30 minutes (pharmacy sets up) |
| Video doorbell (Ring, Google Nest) | Low | $150–$350 + optional subscription | See who's at the door from anywhere; family can check visitors remotely | 1 hour (physical installation) |
Zero-Learning Options
These technologies require nothing from your parent — no app to download, no button to press, no screen to read. They work invisibly in the background, and that's exactly why they work for resistant or cognitively declining parents.
Automated Daily Calls (Kindly Call)
A friendly voice calls your parent every day at their preferred time. All they do is answer the phone — something they've done for 60 years. The call checks on their wellbeing, mood, sleep, and appetite, then sends you a summary.
Cost: From $1/week
Why it works for resistant parents: There's nothing to learn, nothing to charge, nothing to wear. It just rings. Even parents who refuse every other technology will answer their phone.
GPS Trackers (Clip-On)
A small device that clips to a belt, handbag, or keyring. It transmits location to a family app in real time. No buttons, no charging for days (some last 2+ weeks). The parent doesn't interact with it at all.
Cost: $150–$300 device + $10–$20/month SIM data
Why it works for resistant parents: If they wander or get confused while out walking, you'll know exactly where they are. They don't need to know it's there. Attach it to something they always carry.
Smart Sensors (Movement Detection)
Small wireless sensors placed on the fridge, front door, kettle, or bathroom door. They record when things are opened and send alerts if patterns change — e.g., the kettle hasn't been used by 10am, or the front door hasn't opened in 48 hours.
Cost: $200–$500 one-off for a starter kit
Why it works for resistant parents: Completely invisible. They look like small white stickers. Your parent doesn't interact with them or even need to know they're there.
Medical Alert Pendants
A waterproof pendant or wristband with a single button. Press it in an emergency and it connects to a 24/7 monitoring centre. Newer models include automatic fall detection — they call for help even if the wearer can't press the button.
Cost: $30–$60/month (VitalCall, MePACS, Life Alert Australia)
Why it works for resistant parents: One button, one function. Many parents resist wearing them — see our guide on what to do when they refuse a personal alarm.
Low-Learning Options
These require some initial setup and a brief introduction, but once running, your parent can use them with minimal ongoing learning. The key: you do all the configuration; they just use the result.
Video Calling on a Tablet
An iPad or Samsung tablet set up for one thing: video calling. Remove all other apps from the home screen. Set FaceTime or Google Duo to auto-answer. Tape a note to the cover: “When this rings, just tap the green button.”
Setup tip: Buy a stand so it sits on the kitchen bench permanently plugged in. Enable “Guided Access” on iPad to lock it to FaceTime. Set display to never sleep. Set text size to the largest option. Disable all notifications except calls.
Realistic setup time: 1–2 hours initially, plus 2–3 visits to help them get comfortable.
Smart Displays (Echo Show, Google Nest Hub)
Voice-only interaction. “Alexa, call Sarah.” “Hey Google, what time is it?” No touching the screen required. Can also play music, read the news, set medication reminders, and display a photo slideshow when not in use.
Setup tip: Link your parent's contacts to the device. Set up “Drop In” so you can video call them and it auto-answers (with their permission). Place it in the room they spend the most time in. The Echo Show 8 or 10 have the best screen size for elderly users.
Realistic setup time: 30–45 minutes for setup, 1–2 visits to teach voice commands.
Simple Mobiles (Doro 8050, Opel SmartFlip)
Purpose-built phones for seniors with large buttons, loud speakers, hearing aid compatibility, and an SOS button on the back. The Doro 8050 is a simplified smartphone; the Opel SmartFlip is a flip phone with WhatsApp. Both are available from Telstra, JB Hi-Fi, and Harvey Norman.
Setup tip: Pre-program all contacts with first names only. Set up speed dial (1 = you, 2 = emergency contact). Remove any apps they won't use. Enable large font. Put your number on a label stuck to the back of the phone.
Realistic setup time: 30 minutes for setup, 2–3 practice sessions over the first week.
Digital Photo Frames (Skylight, Nixplay)
Family members email or app-send photos, and they appear on a frame in your parent's home automatically. Grandchildren's school photos, family gatherings, the new dog — all showing up without your parent lifting a finger.
Setup tip: Skylight is the simplest — you email photos to a unique address and they appear. Give the email address to everyone in the family. Plug the frame in where they'll see it — kitchen bench, living room sideboard, bedroom nightstand.
Realistic setup time: 15 minutes. Share the email address with family and let the photos flow.
How to Introduce Technology Successfully: Six Rules
The technology isn't the hard part. The introduction is. These six rules come from occupational therapists, aged care workers, and families who've been through it.
One Device at a Time
Never introduce more than one new thing per month. If you set up a smart display and a new phone and a medication reminder in one visit, they'll use none of them. Pick the most impactful one and let them master it before adding anything else.
Set It Up Completely Before Giving It to Them
Your parent should never see a setup wizard, a terms-and-conditions page, or a “create account” screen. Do everything at home first. When you bring it to them, it should already work. All they need to learn is how to use it, not how to configure it.
Make the Default Action the Right One
If the device turns on and the first thing they see is a home screen with 20 icons, they'll panic. Set the default screen to what they need most. For video calls: the contacts list. For a smart display: a clock with the date. For a phone: the dialler. Remove everything else.
Label Buttons Physically
Use a label maker or write with a permanent marker directly on the device. “Press here to call Sarah.” “This button = emergency.” Physical labels don't disappear when the screen changes. They work even when your parent forgets the instructions you gave them last week.
Have the Same Device Yourself
When they call you confused, you need to be able to say “look at your screen — do you see a green button? Tap that.” If you have the same device, you can walk them through it over the phone without guessing. This single tip prevents more frustration than any other.
Never Say “It's Easy”
When something is “easy” and they can't do it, they feel stupid. Instead say: “This takes a bit of practice — I had to learn it too.” Normalise the learning curve. Celebrate every small win. And never, ever sigh or show impatience when they ask the same question for the fifth time.
Common Failures and How to Avoid Them
These are the six mistakes families make most often. Every one of them results in the device being abandoned within a month. Learn from other families' experience.
Giving an iPad Without Setup
Buying a tablet, wrapping it for Christmas, and expecting Mum to figure it out. She won't. Within a week it's in a drawer. Within a month she says “technology isn't for me.”
Fix: Fully configure it before giving. Pre-load photos, set up FaceTime, add contacts, enable accessibility features. Spend the first visit using it together.
Too Many Passwords
Apple ID, Google account, email password, Wi-Fi password, app store PIN. Your parent doesn't know what a password is for, let alone remember six of them.
Fix: Use a family password manager. Set all devices to stay logged in. Use biometrics (fingerprint, face) where possible. Write the Wi-Fi password on the router in large print.
Expecting Them to Charge Devices
A device that needs charging every night is a device that will die by Wednesday and never be charged again. If it has a battery, assume it will run flat.
Fix: Choose devices that stay plugged in (smart displays, photo frames) or have week-long battery life. Place charging cradles in their routine path. Consider a wireless charging pad on their nightstand.
Small Text and Tiny Buttons
Default font sizes are designed for 25-year-olds with perfect vision. Your 82-year-old parent with macular degeneration can't read them. If they can't see it, they can't use it.
Fix: Maximum text size on every device. Bold text enabled. High contrast mode. Display zoom on. Test readability at arm's length — that's where they'll hold it.
Assuming Wi-Fi Is Reliable
Many elderly Australians live in areas with patchy NBN or old copper connections. If the Wi-Fi drops out, the smart display stops working, the photo frame goes blank, and video calls fail.
Fix: Test the actual internet speed at their home before buying Wi-Fi-dependent devices. If unreliable, choose 4G/5G-connected devices or solutions that use the phone line (like daily call services).
Buying the Newest Model Instead of the Simplest
The latest iPhone, the newest Echo, the fanciest tablet. More features means more confusion. Your parent needs fewer features, not more.
Fix: Buy one generation behind and the simplest model available. The Echo Show 5 is better than the 15 for a senior. A base iPad beats an iPad Pro. A Doro flip phone beats a Samsung Galaxy.
Internet and Connectivity: A Practical Guide
Many older Australians either don't have internet at home or have a plan that's either too expensive or too unreliable. Here's what they actually need.
NBN Plans for Seniors
Your parent doesn't need NBN 100 or unlimited data. A basic NBN 25 plan with 100–200 GB is more than enough for video calls, email, and a smart display.
- Cheapest options: Superloop, Mate, Dodo — $45–$55/month for NBN 25
- Senior-friendly: Telstra offers in-home setup for an additional fee — worth it if no tech-savvy family member is nearby
- No lock-in: Most providers offer month-to-month plans now
Mobile Hotspot as Backup
If their NBN is unreliable, a 4G/5G mobile broadband device ($20–$40/month) provides a backup connection. Some families use this as the primary internet for parents who only need it for a smart display or video calls.
- Optus 4G Home Internet: From $55/month, no NBN required
- Telstra 5G Home Internet: From $70/month, plug-and-play
- Portable hotspot: $20–$40/month with 20–50 GB data
What Speed Do They Actually Need?
For the technologies recommended in this guide, 5 Mbps download speed is sufficient. That's enough for a clear video call, photo frame updates, and smart display functions. Even the cheapest NBN plan (12 Mbps) provides more than enough. Don't let an ISP upsell your parent to a plan they'll never use.
Rural and Regional Connectivity
If your parent lives in an area with poor NBN coverage (fixed wireless or satellite), prioritise phone-line-based solutions like daily call services and medical alert pendants. These work on the existing phone network and don't depend on internet connectivity at all. For video calling in rural areas, a Telstra 4G mobile broadband device often outperforms a poor NBN connection.
Government Support for Digital Inclusion
Several Australian government programs help older Australians access and learn technology. These are often underutilised — your parent may already be eligible.
| Program | What It Provides | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Be Connected | Free online courses on using the internet, tablets, smartphones, email, and video calling. Includes a $50 learning voucher for eligible participants to attend in-person training sessions. | Australians aged 50+ with limited digital literacy. Self-referral via beconnected.esafety.gov.au |
| Good Things Foundation | Runs the Be Connected network of community organisations. Provides face-to-face digital mentoring through local libraries, neighbourhood houses, and community centres across Australia. | Anyone over 50. Free. Find a local network partner at goodthingsfoundation.org.au |
| Tech Savvy Seniors (NSW & QLD) | Free or low-cost workshops at public libraries covering tablets, smartphones, email, social media, and online safety. Runs in partnership with Telstra. | NSW: Anyone 60+. QLD: Anyone 60+. Check your local library for session dates and availability. |
| Local Library Digital Literacy Classes | Most public libraries across Australia offer free drop-in sessions for seniors to learn basic computer, tablet, and internet skills. Many also provide one-on-one help sessions. | Free. Open to all ages. Contact your local library or check their events calendar online. |
Tip: The Be Connected $50 voucher can be used at participating community organisations for hands-on help. If your parent needs someone patient to sit with them and walk through using a device, this is exactly what it's designed for. It's free, it's in person, and the mentors are trained to work with seniors.
Privacy and Security: Four Essentials
Older Australians lose more money to scams than any other age group. If you're introducing technology into your parent's life, you have a responsibility to protect them from the risks that come with it.
Password Manager (Family-Managed)
Set up a shared family vault in a password manager like 1Password or Bitwarden. Store all your parent's passwords here — their email, Apple ID, banking login, and any service accounts. They never need to see or remember a password. You manage it all remotely. If they get locked out, you can log in on their behalf over the phone.
Two-Factor Authentication via SMS
Enable SMS-based two-factor authentication on their email and banking. Yes, app-based 2FA is more secure — but your parent can read a text message. They can't navigate an authenticator app. Security that's actually used beats security that's too complex to use.
Scam Call Blocking
Register their number on the Do Not Call Register (donotcall.gov.au). On mobiles, enable the built-in scam call filter (available on most Android phones and via the Telstra app). Consider Truecaller or a Telstra Call Guardian service. On landlines, a physical call blocker device ($50–$100) can screen unknown numbers. Most importantly: have a regular conversation about scam awareness. The ACCC's Scamwatch site has resources designed for older Australians.
Location Sharing with Family
If your parent has a smartphone, enable family location sharing (Apple “Find My” or Google “Family Link”). This lets you check their phone's location without them needing to do anything. It's especially valuable for parents with early dementia who may wander. Be transparent: explain that it helps you know they're safe, not that you're tracking them.
Related Reading
- My elderly parent refuses to wear a personal alarm — alternatives that work →
- How AI companion calls work →
- Caring for elderly parents from a distance →
- When your elderly parent is lonely and depressed →
- When should your elderly parent stop driving? →
- Daily phone calls for people with dementia →
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