Five of the best video-call apps for keeping in touch with family

Platinum Skies recognise that regular check ins with our residents help to protect the health and wellbeing of the individual and community. From an update on the residents welfare, to providing knowledge on how we have adapted our retirement living sites to follow the new government guidelines.

As the current advice states that the UK should avoid contact with others to contain the coronavirus, we have changed our daily communication to a phone or video call check in. In addition to this, our Lifestyle Managers are on hand at any point of the day as we know that some residents may feel isolated. We encourage them to maintain regular contact with their Lifestyle Manager, family and friends throughout the day.

When you’re on a video call, you are engaged in that moment. This can have a huge impact on the result of your discussion and developing your relationship with the other person.

A video call means you can pick up on people’s tone and the words that are used can trigger empathy and compassion.

The ways we can communicate in 2020 are endless. So, to help you navigate through the vast amount of programmes, we have compiled five of the top video call websites and apps to help you catch up with your friends and family…

Skype

Skype is one of the oldest and most reliable apps for video calling. You can join a call as a guest without creating an account or you can call landlines and mobiles from around the world with a subscription. You can used it on your desktop, mobile, tablet, games consoles and Alexa. With HD video calling, live subtitles mobile screen sharing and call recording, you can experience one to one or group calls without missing a moment.

WhatsApp

Whatsapp has fast, simple, secure messaging and calling for free, available on phones all over the world. With group chats, you can share messages, photos, and videos with up to 256 people at once. This is great for an intimate chat with a small group of people, however please bare in mind that you are limited to a video call with only three other users at a time.

Google Hangouts

Google Hangouts can include all your friends with group chats for up to 100 people. Your chats will be saved on every device that it is installed in so that you can keep the conversation going seemlessly. Meaning you can keep in touch with friends across Android, iOS, and the web.

Facebook Messenger

Facebook Messenger is a free app for iPhone, Android and Windows Phone to make video calls on the go. This is a great app which lets you use both front and rear cameras for video recording. There are no group video calls as facebook’s goal is to connect people intimately face to face no matter where they are or what mobile connection they have.

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft teams is a great tool to meet with groups of 10 or 10,000. You can host audio, video, and web conferences with anyone. This app is great if you have lots of contacts to catch up with on a daily basis as everything can be stored within the programme.Microsoft teams is a great tool to meet with groups of 10 or 10,000. You can host audio, video, and web conferences with anyone. This app is great if you have lots of contacts to catch up with on a daily basis as everything can be stored within the programme.

FaceTime

FaceTime is only available on Apple products, such as the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Mac’s. As long as you’re on Wi-Fi or cellular data, you can stay in touch with family and friends or connect with anyone in the world, even at long distance, and not only hear but see the people you’re talking to.