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More than 60 percent of adults ages 65 and older own a smartphone? Whether you're video chatting with the grandkids, playing games with your friends, checking Facebook, or getting directions to dinner, a mobile app made it possible.
Smartphone applications can educate, entertain and even make life easier. They enable you to get the most out of the computer in your pocket: your smartphone. But, with well over two million applications available for mobile today, it's easy to get overwhelmed.
Today’s seniors are more technologically literate than ever and access to mobile apps is one way to keep up-to-date with loved ones and the world around you. Apps are a great way to help with daily reminders to keep health in check, they are also great for games to keep the mind sharp.
We have put together a list of apps for seniors that are easy to use and can truly improve your life.
Medisafe – Manage Your Medications
Available for iPhone and Android Cost: Free
For older adults who may take multiple medications at different times of the day, forgetting to take prescriptions and get refills on time are significant problems. In fact, about 50 percent of prescriptions filled are not taken as directed by a doctor or pharmacist.2
Medisafe helps you manage your medications and get reminders. Simply input your prescriptions and timings, and Medisafe will create a visual schedule complete with images of each pill and a list of potentially harmful interactions. It will then give you reminders throughout the day when it's time to take a medication, let you know if a prescription is running low, and even alert a friend or family member of a missed dose.
Pill Reminder Pro
This handy app sends a daily text message reminder to take the right medication at the right time.
Drugs.com Medication Guide
Free
Drugs.com offers a medication guide that can help seniors and caregivers identify pills by color and shape, find out side effects, check interactions, and set up medication records. They can use the app to access in-depth pharmaceutical information, such as checking up on the latest FDA alerts on their medications.
Lively
Free
The Lively app is an urgent-response app. With one tap, the app connects you to an agent who can assist you when you feel unsafe, have fallen, or are experiencing a medical emergency. Through GPS tracking and information provided by you on the app, the agent then can contact local authorities, medical professionals, or your loved ones. The app can also sync with your smartwatch or Lively medical alert device.
Pacer
Free
Available Android and IOS
Is Pacer the ultimate step-tracking app for a senior lifestyle? We think so. This app uses only your smartphone to help keep track of your daily activity levels, precluding the need for a Fitbit, smartwatch, or traditional pedometer. Step into a healthy way of living by taking Pacer everywhere you go.
In addition to tracking your steps, you’ll also have access to information on facilitating a more active day, which can help round out your routine with workout ideas supporting daily step goals. You can even use a walking map to trace your favorite routes nearby.
The brand’s motto: make 24/7 fitness simple, powerful, and fun. Your results will speak for themselves. You might even be able to make some friends on the app.
Equal Eyes
This is a great app as it makes mobile devices more visible for older people with poorer sight.
ShopWell
Following a healthy diet is another way to help keep your brain in top shape. Foods that are high in antioxidants are particularly helpful in reducing cell damage. The ShopWell app will help you match foods to all of your health needs. Once you set up a profile, this app will help you make nutritious shopping lists that you can take to the store. It will also show you healthy alternatives to some of your favorite foods.
Dragon Dictation
A handy tool which allows the user to use their voice to dictate a text message or email.
FREE
Download: (Apple)
GoodRx – Save Money on Prescriptions
Available for iPhone and Android
Cost: Free
One of the reasons seniors do not take medications as prescribed is simply that they cost too much. GoodRx helps users compare prescription drug prices at different pharmacies and find coupons that can be used right from the app. The app can also alert you when a particular medication drops in price and let you know when you may be due for a refill. If you use Medisafe to manage your prescriptions, you already have savings help powered by GoodRx and don't need to download a separate application.
MedWatcher
free for iOS
In addition to taking your medications, it’s also important to stay up to date on any changes or notifications from the manufacturer, such as a product recall or potential adverse reaction notification. With the MedWatcher app, you can create a list of all of your medications and receive real-time news and information. The app can also be used to report an adverse reaction you’ve experienced directly to the FDA.
iBP
This comprehensive app makes documenting and monitoring blood pressure easy. After taking their blood pressure, seniors simply enter their readings into the app. A customizable color-coded graph displays trends and denotes whether readings are normal to high. The app can be used by multiple older adults with one app.
Elevate Brain Training
Exercising your brain can increase memory function and could potentially keep dementia at bay.
The Elevate app uses math, memory, and word games to improve various skills such as reading comprehension, listening, writing and speaking.
Clevermind App
Free
The Clevermind App is a voice activated app to help stimulate the cognitive abilities of seniors and people with Alzheimer’s or Dementia.
Audible – Escape Into a Good Book
iPhone and Android
Cost: Free; requires a paid subscription after free trial
For seniors who have vision problems or arthritis that may make holding a book uncomfortable, audiobooks are a great alternative to print. Audiobooks have never been better, featuring excellent narration by voice talent or the author themselves.
Audible has the largest selection of audiobooks available. It's free to download, and you'll pay for a subscription to access books. Audible also offers a free trial period, so make sure to take advantage of this 30-day freebie!
LastPass – Never Forget a Password Again
Available for iPhone and Android
Cost: Free
To do anything on the internet these days, it seems you are asked to create a password. Creating a unique password each time is important to avoid being hacked, but who can remember all of them? Many people use the same password for simplicity, but it leaves them vulnerable to online attacks.
LastPass stores all of your passwords securely in one place so you can look them up when needed. It can also autofill passwords into websites you use frequently and create strong passwords for you. Simply remember one password – the LastPass password.
Spotify – Listen to Music and Podcasts
Available for iPhone and Android
Cost: Free; select plans require a paid subscription
Music can help people relax, set the ambiance at a dinner party, return to a bygone era, get pumped for exercise, and so much more. With Spotify, you can listen to specific songs or let the app curate music for you based on what you like.
Spotify is also the number one app for listening to podcasts. Podcasts are continuing to grow in popularity, and there is something out there for almost every interest. Use the app to discover new podcasts or manage your favorites.
Apple Books and Kindle
available for iOS and Android
If you’re a voracious reader but find lugging heavy tomes around burdensome, it’s easy to get unlimited books right on your device. For Apple users, Apple Books offers digital texts and audiobooks on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Apple Watch. If you are an Android user, the Kindle app allows you to browse millions of books from the comfort of your own home.
Sciddy App — Senior Savings
available for iOS and Android
The Sciddy app uses your location to help you find local businesses that offer deals for those over 50. Discounts consist of food, entertainment, home services, travel, health, and a number of others in hundreds of cities across the country. The app is available via iOS or Android and has an easy to use interface.
Pocket Yoga (available on iOS and Android)
Yoga is a great exercise choice for seniors who want to improve muscle strength, mobility, balance and flexibility. This app provides a database of illustrations and videos that show you how to do more than 200 poses designed by certified yoga instructors. You can begin your personalized yoga practice from the comfort of your own home.
Luminosity
FREE Download: (Apple)
Luminosity is a web-based application that uses games to improve cognitive abilities. Provides information about memory, brain health and cognition. The Lumosity uses challenging puzzles and brain teasers to keep you sharp. According to Lumosity’s Director of Communications, “Lumosity is based on the science of neuroplasticity, the idea that the brain can change and reorganize itself given the right kinds of challenges.” With both free and paid versions for Lumosity iOS and Android, seniors can use this app to focus on improving skills, such as memory, attention, speed, flexibility and problem-solving.
Words with Friends
FREE Download: (Android)
This app is similar to Scrabble but allows the user to play multiple players online.
Park & Forget
FREE Download: (Apple)
This application helps you in finding your parked car. All you have to do is press a button to save your car’s location and forget about it. In case you get lost, launch the app and hit “Locate car” button. You’ll get directed towards your car. The app also lets you take the picture of your parked car, to better help you locate your car.
Google Maps – Remember Where You Parked
Available for iPhone and Android
Cost: Free
Everyone has experienced the moment when you get ready to leave somewhere and realize you have no idea where you parked. If you find this happening frequently, your phone can help you out. But you don't have to download an extra app to remind you where your car is because this feature is included in the most popular navigation app.
In Google Maps, click on the blue dot showing your location, click “Set as parking location” from the menu that pops up, and it will be saved. Then when you are ready to navigate back to your car, click the blue “Directions” icon and choose “Saved parking.” This app is also great for getting directions when you're going somewhere new or if you get lost while driving.
Magnifying Glass + Flashlight – Read the Menu in a Dim Restaurant
Available for iPhone and Android
Cost: Free
One-in-three people 65 and older have some form of eye disease,3 making it difficult to read small print. If you've ever had trouble reading a restaurant menu, forms at the doctor's office, or labels on food packaging, a magnifying app could be a handy tool.
This magnifying app uses your phone's camera to zoom in on whatever you point it at, and you can quickly turn on the light to illuminate what you need to read. With a touch of the screen, you can also “freeze” what you are looking at, so you don't have to point it in the same spot the entire time you're reading.
Facebook Messenger – Connect with Friends and Family
Available for iPhone and Android
Cost: Free
If you are among the 40 percent of adults over 654 who have a Facebook account, you've already done most of the work needed to use Facebook Messenger. Messenger is a standalone app that connects people through their Facebook profiles.
You can video chat with one person or do a group chat, as well as send text messages and photos. There are even fun features to try out while you're on a video call. You can make your grandchildren giggle by putting a digital frog on your head or even turning into a dragon!