The best video calling device for most Alzheimer’s families is one with auto-answer capability, meaning the person with dementia doesn’t need to remember to pick up or press any buttons. For families seeking the simplest possible solution, the CallGenie turns an existing television into an automatic video phone with no buttons and no confusion—calls come through automatically while the person simply watches their familiar TV. For those who want a dedicated device, the Komp offers a 21-inch screen with true one-button operation and auto-answers after 10 seconds, while the ViewClix Smart Frame combines video calling with photo sharing and dementia-specific features like day clock displays that help with sundowning. The right choice depends on your family member’s specific stage of dementia, living situation, and what technology they’re already comfortable with.
A person in early-stage Alzheimer’s who still uses a smartphone might do well with the RAZ Memory Cell Phone, while someone in later stages who can no longer operate any device will need a fully automated solution. One family discovered this the hard way after purchasing a tablet for their mother with moderate dementia—she kept trying to “answer” the screen by talking at it rather than tapping, and eventually stopped trying altogether. This article breaks down the five leading devices designed for dementia families, compares their features and costs, and explains which situations call for which solution. You’ll also find practical guidance on installation, what to look for in auto-answer features, and how to involve care facilities in your video calling setup.
Table of Contents
- Which Video Calling Devices Work Best for People with Dementia?
- How Auto-Answer Features Change Everything for Dementia Families
- Understanding the True Costs: Devices, Subscriptions, and Hidden Expenses
- What Features Matter Most at Different Dementia Stages
- Installation Challenges and Care Facility Considerations
- The Role of AI Companions and Reminder Features
- What Technology Advances Mean for Future Dementia Communication
Which Video Calling Devices Work Best for People with Dementia?
The devices specifically designed for dementia communication fall into three categories: TV-based systems, dedicated tablets or frames, and simplified phones. Each addresses different cognitive abilities and living situations. TV-based solutions like the CallGenie work particularly well because people with dementia tend to retain familiarity with television technology even as other skills decline—they’ve been watching TV for decades, and that deeply ingrained habit remains accessible. The CallGenie transforms any existing television into an automatic video phone, starting at $484.99 without a webcam and around $520-$574 with HD options included. There are no monthly fees, and it includes 12 months of full support.
Family members call using Microsoft Teams from their smartphones, tablets, or computers, and the CallGenie automatically switches the TV input and answers the call. It even includes real-time subtitles, which helps when hearing is compromised alongside cognition. Dedicated devices like the ViewClix Smart Frame and Komp occupy the middle ground between complexity and capability. The ViewClix comes in 10.1-inch ($199) and 15.6-inch ($299) sizes plus a $9.95 monthly membership. It was designed by a family who struggled to stay connected with a grandparent living with dementia, and that origin shows in features like the Day Clock Widget specifically designed to help with sundowning—that disorienting period in late afternoon when many Alzheimer’s patients experience increased confusion and agitation.
How Auto-Answer Features Change Everything for Dementia Families
Auto-answer capability isn’t just a convenience feature—it’s often the difference between successful video calls and complete failure. When someone has Alzheimer’s, the cognitive steps required to answer a traditional video call can become insurmountable: hear the ring, recognize what it means, locate the device, identify the correct button, press it at the right time. Each step is a potential failure point, and as the disease progresses, more of these steps become impossible. The Komp takes perhaps the most elegant approach to this problem with its one-button design—a single large on/off switch and nothing else. There’s no touchscreen, which matters because older fingertips often don’t register well on capacitive screens due to drier skin. Calls auto-answer after 10 seconds, giving the person time to notice someone is calling while not requiring any action.
The 21-inch screen with built-in microphone ensures they can see and hear clearly without adjusting anything. Komp connects via Wi-Fi or built-in 4G SIM, so it works even in facilities with restrictive networks. However, auto-answer features require careful family coordination. Everyone who might call needs to understand that the device will pick up automatically—an unexpected call from a distant relative who hasn’t been briefed could confuse or distress someone with dementia. The ViewClix addresses this through its family admin system, where designated family members control who can call and when. The RAZ Memory Cell Phone includes “quiet hours” settings to prevent calls during certain times, like late evening when sundowning symptoms are often worst.
Understanding the True Costs: Devices, Subscriptions, and Hidden Expenses
The sticker price of these devices tells only part of the story. Monthly fees, cellular data plans, and replacement costs can make an initially affordable device expensive over time—or make a pricier upfront investment the better long-term value. Understanding the full cost structure helps families budget realistically and avoid surprises. The GrandPad Tablet illustrates this complexity. You can buy the device outright for $299 and add Consumer Cellular service at $40 monthly, or pay $89 monthly which includes the tablet, cellular service, and insurance. There’s also a yearly option at $780 (effectively $65 monthly).
For a family expecting to use the device for several years, the outright purchase plus monthly service works out cheaper. But if you’re uncertain whether the device will work for your family member, the monthly plan with insurance provides flexibility to return it without major loss. The CallGenie takes the opposite approach with no monthly fees at all—just the upfront purchase between $484.99 and $574 depending on webcam quality, plus $30 shipping. This makes long-term cost calculation simple, though the higher initial investment might strain some budgets. The ViewClix sits in between with lower device costs ($199-$299) but a $9.95 monthly membership that adds $120 annually. Over three years, a ViewClix 15/e costs approximately $657 total, while a CallGenie HD costs around $550 total with no ongoing obligations.
What Features Matter Most at Different Dementia Stages
A device that works perfectly for someone with mild cognitive impairment may become useless as the disease progresses, while a device designed for severe dementia might be unnecessarily limiting for someone in early stages. Matching device complexity to current abilities—while anticipating future decline—prevents the frustration of outgrowing a device too quickly. For early-stage Alzheimer’s where the person still initiates calls and manages some technology, the RAZ Memory Cell Phone offers appropriate independence with safeguards. Priced at $349 with three months of free service (then $20 monthly), it displays up to 50 contacts with photos on the home screen. The person taps and holds a contact’s photo to call—no menus, no apps, no hunting through a contact list.
The caregiver-controlled RAZ Care app allows remote contact management, customizable reminders, and limits on repetitive calls, which matters because compulsive repeated calling is common in dementia. For moderate stages, the ViewClix smart Frame’s combination of passive and active features works well. The person doesn’t need to do anything to receive calls or view photos sent by family, but they can still engage with the PhotoChat feature to view photos together during video calls if they’re able. The Sticky Note reminders can be scheduled remotely—a caregiver might set daily medication reminders or orientation prompts like “Today is Tuesday. Sarah is visiting at 2pm.” For severe dementia, the fully automated CallGenie or Komp removes all required actions from the person entirely.
Installation Challenges and Care Facility Considerations
Getting a video calling device working in a care facility involves obstacles that don’t exist at home: facility Wi-Fi policies, room layouts that weren’t designed for video calls, staff who may be unfamiliar with the technology, and regulations about what devices residents can have. Planning for these challenges before purchasing prevents expensive mistakes. Many care facilities restrict residents from connecting personal devices to their Wi-Fi networks due to security policies. The Komp addresses this with built-in 4G cellular connectivity, bypassing facility Wi-Fi entirely. The GrandPad similarly uses Consumer Cellular’s network rather than depending on local Wi-Fi.
For facilities that do allow Wi-Fi connections, the CallGenie and ViewClix can work, but you’ll need to coordinate with the facility’s IT staff or administrator before assuming connectivity is available. Physical installation presents its own challenges. The Komp can be wall-mounted or placed on a tabletop, and its 21-inch screen is visible from across a typical facility room. The CallGenie requires positioning near the television and connecting via HDMI, which may need staff assistance if the TV is mounted high on a wall. One family reported that their facility initially refused to allow a CallGenie installation because it required accessing the back of a wall-mounted TV, but the facility relented after the family offered to hire a technician and carry liability for any issues.
The Role of AI Companions and Reminder Features
Several of these devices now include features that go beyond simple video calling, offering daily structure and even companionship between family contacts. The GrandPad’s “Grandie AI” presents an AI companion as a blue owl that can discuss movies, tell jokes, and chat about cooking. Whether this appeals to your family member depends heavily on their personality and comfort with technology—some find it engaging, others find it confusing or patronizing. The reminder and orientation features often prove more universally valuable.
ViewClix’s Day Clock Widget displays the current day, date, and time prominently, specifically designed to help with the time disorientation that worsens during sundowning. The 5-day weather forecast display gives context about the outside world, which matters for people who may not leave their room often. Komp allows family to schedule reminder messages for daily activities and medications, appearing on screen at set times. These features don’t replace caregiver oversight but can reduce the number of verbal reminders needed, preserving relationship quality by making interactions less task-focused.
What Technology Advances Mean for Future Dementia Communication
The devices available today represent significant improvements over even five years ago, when families often had to choose between mainstream video calling apps their relatives couldn’t operate or complete isolation. The integration of AI features, automatic captioning, and dementia-specific design elements suggests this category will continue evolving rapidly. Current trends point toward greater integration between communication devices and broader care monitoring.
Several manufacturers are exploring features that could detect changes in communication patterns—reduced call engagement, different speech patterns, or less responsiveness—that might indicate health changes worth discussing with a doctor. For families considering a purchase now, the Komp’s 90-day open purchase policy with easy returns provides a safety net for trying the technology before committing. The Alzheimer’s Association’s 24/7 Helpline (800-272-3900) offers free guidance on technology decisions alongside their broader support services, and can help families think through which features matter most for their specific situation.
