For older adults, learning how to maximize gadgets and gizmos can be a complicated journey. Luckily, specially designed senior smartphones with larger screens and useful features can make it easier for users of every age to navigate and install the latest mobile apps for seniors.
This list of top mobile apps for seniors provides useful health and wellness information, mental stimulation, financial assistance, and more!
It can be quite easy for seniors to get confused about which pills to take and when — especially if they’re juggling multiple medications at a time. Unfortunately, this can lead to serious health issues if they don’t take their prescribed medications on time or in the right quantities. Even when you’re traveling, Medisafe can sort out tricky time zones.
To help them stay organized, this app can create an easy-to-use schedule that provides your loved one with reminders and dosage information. You can also track metrics such as blood glucose, blood pressure, weight, pulse, and temperature, and get useful reminders to refill your prescriptions when they’re running out.
For seniors looking to get fit and healthy, the Better Me app contains plenty of free workout routines to suit every experience level. With meal plans and clear and concise walkthroughs for yoga, walking, and even running, there’s sure to be something that works for you.
You can also purchase nutrition consultations or personal workouts all from the comfort of your own home if you’re looking for a more customized fitness solution. Just make sure to warm up and cool down properly before and after each exercise session!
Have you ever been in a dimly lit restaurant trying to read a menu written in a tiny font? The Magnifying Glass + Flashlight app is arguably one of the best senior apps to use in this scenario. It helps you zoom in on text, images, and anything you’re trying to magnify while using the light to give you even more clarity in dark places.
Features include high contrast mode and the ability to save captured pictures in your Photo Library, letting you look back at prescription information or serial numbers from appliances.
Seniors with declining vision or trouble holding books would probably welcome the easily digestible format of audiobooks. Audible is a fantastic app that has a giant selection of bestselling novels, thrillers, romance novels, memoirs, and almost anything under the sun.
They offer a free 30-day trial for access to their library of audiobooks and membership plans can be purchased at $14.95 or more per month. You can even listen to audiobooks using multiple devices without losing your place, which is useful for individuals who are always on the go.
Sometimes, elderly individuals can get confused by medical terminology or accidentally forget what went on during a doctor’s visit. To solve this issue, Abridge provides medical definitions for key terms and even lets you record the whole conversation between you and your doctor.
This way, you can easily revisit any recommendations or medication prescriptions that were given to you during your visit. You can even send transcripts to your caregivers or your loved ones to help them stay in the loop with what’s going on with your health.
Looking for a fun challenge? Playing with Words with Friends can keep you mentally sharp, make and strengthen friendships, and boost your competitive spirit. It’s a similar concept to the classic Scrabble but you can also play on your own with the Solo Challenge. Fans of crossword games and puzzles will appreciate this vocabulary-focused game!
To use Facebook Messenger, you’ll need to sign up for a Facebook account and make a profile, which is free. Seniors can use this app to stay in touch with their loved ones from around the world through group chats, instant messages, and video calls.
With fun face filters to try out and even mini-games to keep you busy, there’s plenty of fun to be had with this app. It’s a great option for those with limited texting or calling minutes since it relies on a WiFi or cellular data connection.
Whether you’re at home in the kitchen or still trying to master the basics, Epicurious has all the recipes you could wish for. Seniors looking for tried and tested instructions will appreciate the gigantic collection of 35,000 free recipes from Bon Appetit, Gourmet, HarperCollins, and more.
Some useful features include a Shopping List, Built-In Timer, and a Seasonal Ingredients finder that can help you find the freshest ingredients near you. No need to struggle with a bulky cookbook while you cook!
Staying on top of your spending can be confusing when you have bills and subscriptions with different due dates. Mint is a helpful app that enables seniors to budget wisely and stay on top of balances and expenses on a monthly basis. It provides valuable insights on spending trends and gives you useful tips on how to grow your savings.
You can also track your tax returns and gain access to a free credit score and report when you sign in to your account.
Give you and your loved ones greater peace of mind with Lively. In the event of a medical emergency or other situation where you feel unsafe, you can quickly tap the Urgent Response icon and reach the Lively Urgent Response Team who will get you the help you need.
Whether you’re feeling chest pain, need directions, or roadside assistance, this is the app for you.
Using mobile applications can be confusing for some seniors. We’ve answered a few commonly asked questions below to help you out.
Smartphones are incredibly useful for seniors. Some common uses include making emergency phone calls, video calling family members, checking the weather, and even controlling other smart devices in the home.
The most commonly used apps for seniors include the Medisafe application, Google Maps, Facebook Messenger, and Audible.
Adjusting the device’s display settings can make texting easier for seniors. iPhone users will want to navigate to Settings, then General, then Accessibility to toggle options such as changing the device’s font size and toggling audio descriptions.
Android users will have to navigate to Settings and then Accessibility to change these settings.
An Apple Fitness Plus membership costs $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year. For users with Family Sharing enabled, this membership can be shared with up to five family members for free.
Digital assistants like Amazon Echo (otherwise known as Alexa) and Google Home can be particularly helpful for the elderly and their caregivers. The Echo Dot is especially great for seniors who just want basic functionality, as the Echo Dot is the most affordable option on the market.
Before downloading and installing mobile apps for seniors, it’s important to look at any costs involved. Some apps for seniors might be free to use and download but others may require subscription fees or have optional add-ons at various price points. Don’t forget to look at user reviews to give you a better idea of each app’s pros and cons.
Read on at Senior Strong to learn more about which other technological aids for seniors you should invest in.
