Keeping up with family and friends isn’t just about sharing updates; it’s about nurturing relationships, fostering joy, and enhancing well-being. These tech tools are designed specifically to help you engage with loved ones, even when miles apart.
GrandPad: Starts at $65/ month
GrandPad is a tablet specifically designed to keep multigenerational families connected. The intuitive, simplified interface makes it easy to enjoy video calls, share photos, and play games with family members without the complications that often come with traditional tablets. Caregivers can set up the device and manage content remotely, ensuring a seamless experience. GrandPad allows for secure interactions and works even without Wi-Fi, making it a wonderful tool for enhancing social connections.
Storyworth: Starts at $99
Meaningful conversations can sometimes feel lost amidst the hustle of daily life, but Storyworth provides a beautiful solution to help families connect in a deeply personal way. Each week for a year, Storyworth sends out a question. These questions can range from lighthearted prompts such as “What was your favorite childhood game?” to more profound inquiries like “What lessons have you learned from your experiences?” The recipient can respond at their own pace, crafting detailed answers that often spark rich reflections. At the end of the year, the collected stories can be compiled into a book, which becomes a keepsake that allows future generations to learn about their heritage.
Megilla: $72/year (first 6 months free!)
If you’d rather talk than write, then Megilla might be for you. Like Storyworth, Megilla is a cross-generational storytelling platform, but it invites you to create short videos kept privately online, which you can then send to loved ones. It offers a creative space for sharing personal narratives and preserving cherished memories. The user-friendly interface is designed with simplicity in mind, making it accessible for people of all ages. The platform encourages collaboration, allowing friends and family to contribute their own memories or reflections related to the story.
Aura Frames: Start at $149
Wi-Fi-enabled digital photo frames like Aura Frames come with a companion app that family members can download on their smartphones. After caregivers help set up the frame, family members can send photos directly to the frame via the app. Whenever a new photo is added, it automatically updates on the Aura Frame. This means Grandma can enjoy fresh pictures of the grandchildren, family gatherings, and special moments without needing to do anything herself.
By Vanessa Hutchison
P.S. You may also like this article: Creating Connection Through Technology
Leave a Reply