My mom has advanced Parkinson's and dementia. She can no longer reliably use a smartphone or tablet. Her hands don't cooperate, navigating apps is confusing, and even answering a video call can be frustrating.

The result is that she's lost one of the simplest ways to stay connected with family and friends, especially those who don't live nearby.

I went looking for something that could help. I tried accessibility settings, simplified interfaces, and voice assistants. But everything still seemed to assume she could operate a phone, remember how an app works, or speak clearly enough for a voice assistant to understand her.

So I started building HelloPorch.

The idea is simple: bring back the familiar simplicity of an old-fashioned phone, but with video.

HelloPorch pairs a tablet with a physical, large-button keypad. Each button represents someone you love, with their picture on it. Press one button, and a video call starts. That's it.

No unlocking screens. No searching for contacts. No navigating apps. And no remembering which buttons to tap on a touchscreen.

I'm also working on features like automatic answering for trusted contacts and a dedicated button to reach family when help is needed.

This started as a project for my mom, but I know she's not the only person facing this problem. There are countless families dealing with Parkinson's, dementia, and other conditions that make everyday technology difficult to use.

I'm not trying to build another smart device. I'm trying to make something simple enough that people like my mom can stay connected to the people they love, even when using a phone is no longer possible.

HelloPorch is still a work in progress, and I'm sharing the journey as I build it.

If you have a parent, grandparent, or loved one who struggles with phones and video calls, I'd genuinely love to hear about your experience.