There is no denying that we cannot live without technology.
And even though the seniors aren’t so easy to change with times, a study by the Pew Research Center has shown that 67% of older people above 65 years are already using the internet. The same study suggests that 42% of seniors own smartphones.
To make life easier for seniors, developers are working around the clock to create mobile apps that help this older generation undertake their daily activities effortlessly.
So currently, there are tens of thousands of mobile apps for seniors out there. This makes it more difficult to pick the best app that can address the needs of seniors. Well, we did our in-depth research and looked into a ton of mobile apps and found these to be the best ones.
These apps can be used on almost all smartphones and can help to give seniors access to medical information, music, connect them with their friends and family, etc.
So, without much ado, let’s get into the list of useful apps for senior citizens.
1. MedWatcher
For seniors, scheduling medication and exercise can be challenging. The last thing you want to see is skipping important medicines.
Fortunately, with MedWatcher you can know when it’s time to take your medicines or go for some exercise.
But the app does more than that.
It also keeps you updated with any changes to the medications and side effects that might arise.
When you download this app on your Android or iPhone, you get real-time news and updates on all your medications. You can also report any side effects of medicines to the Food and Drug Administration.
The best part?
You can download it on your device for free.
2. ShopWell
Grocery shopping for seniors can be hectic.
In fact, if you have an existing medical condition or you have certain allergies, you need to be cautious when buying your food.
Fortunately, with ShopWell you can make better food choices.
This app helps you find foods that are suitable for your existing condition. You just need to set up a food profile and the app will generate a shopping list for you.
ShopWell can be downloaded for free on iOS and Android devices.
3. My Fitness Pal
Knowing what to eat is one thing and knowing what you’re required to eat according to science is another.
If you’re looking to lose weight then perhaps you’re keen on what gets inside your mouth.
There is no better way to set realistic health goals than to use My Fitness Pal.
The app has a huge food database containing 6 million-plus.
With this app, you get access to different nutrition labels of all your food so you can keep track of the amounts of carbohydrates, fat, calories, and protein you consume.
4. Magnifying Glass with Light
Magnifying Glass with Light or Flashlight is available on iOS and Android and this app is a gem for seniors who have challenges reading small text. With this app on your mobile handset, you can read small fonts whether on restaurant menus or prescription bottles.
To use the app, you just need to position your phone’s camera above the text then move the screen slider to enlarge the text so you can read without straining your eyes.
5. WebMD
WebMD is an app developed by industry experts of the popular WebMD website that shares mountains of health and medical information.
The app doesn’t only provide you with a wealth of health information though.
It also contains a ton of support tools to help you learn more about your overall health so you can make useful health decisions.
Currently, the WebMD app is available on iOS and Android devices and has a ton of useful features such as:
Health target: This feature lets you connect wearable devices so you can monitor your daily progress health-wise.
Symptom checker: This feature lets you know possible health conditions with any part of your body.
First aid information: In case of emergency issues, this feature shares management tips to help you solve the issue by yourself. It also lets you know when you should call 911.
Conditions: This feature provides you with useful information about different medical conditions together with the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, medical terms, treatment procedures, etc.
Other Useful Apps for Seniors
1. Kindle
There is the Kindle, the electronic device you might have come across or even used then there is a mobile app for Android and iPad users that can help you gain access to e-books from the comfort of your coaches.
With this mobile app, you can read browse millions of digital books anytime, anywhere, whether you’re traveling, or in your bed.
The good thing about this app is that it’s developed with seniors in mind.
The app allows you to enlarge the text, increase or decrease the brightness of the screen, etc. It also has an in-built text-to-speech feature and dictionary, etc.
When reading in the dark, the app changes the background to black and the text white so you can read without straining your eyes.
2. Find My Car
The last thing you want to see is parking your car to buy some goods in a supermarket only to come out when you’re done shopping not remembering where you parked it.
For the younger generation, it’s easy to remember where you parked your car but for seniors, it can be challenging.
Fortunately, with Find My Car, you can locate the parking position of your car by use of GPS technology.
3. Mint
For seniors, keeping an eye on your monthly bills is a good thing. With Mint, you can organize all your bank accounts and credit cards in one simple organized place so you can know how much you’re spending on what items.
Mint also helps you to avoid unnecessary expenditure.
This app is available for free on Android and iOS devices.
4. Medisafe
Medisafe is yet another medication reminder app for seniors. If you or your senior loved ones have medications to take, you don’t want to skip any day or moment that you’re required to take pills.
With Medisafe, you’re constantly reminded when to take medications.
This app also shares useful information on certain medicines.
The app also lets you keep an eye on your prescriptions.
5. Facebook
Facebook is the largest social media platform with millions of users worldwide. Seniors aged between 50 and 64 make 68% of US adults using Facebook.
If you’re using Facebook on your desktop computers, you must admit that the social media platform has made the world a small playground.
Currently, seniors can keep in touch with their loved ones anywhere at any time.
Things have also been made easier for seniors by the development of the Facebook app that’s downloadable for free for Android and iOS users.
Today, seniors can stay updated on what’s happening around the world by just tapping the Facebook mobile app on their smartphones.
The app has everything there is in the desktop version of Facebook.
Seniors can engage with friends and family, send and receive instant messages, etc.
6. Pillboxie
As you start to grow older, your bodily processes start to slow down. Your brainpower also starts to decline. And no matter how sharp you’re, if you have to take certain medicines, it’s easier to forget some especially if you have to take many of them.
That’s where Pillboxie becomes useful.
This app lets seniors set reminders to know when it’s time to take their medication.
The app is simple to use.
You just need to enter all your medication, color-code them then set timed alerts.
When the time for taking the pills comes, the app will ring an alarm.
The good thing about this mobile app for seniors is that it comes with an intuitive interface hence it’s easy to use.
7. Skype
When it comes to keeping in touch with family members and friends, the cost of making distance calls can add up fast for seniors who want to communicate frequently.
Thankfully, with Skype, you can stay connected all time with a simple click of a button.
Skype lets you use their voice and video call functionality without breaking your brank.
8. Lyft and Uber
When Lyft and Uber made their debut, they were popular with the younger generation.
However, the apps are now useful for seniors as well.
With these apps, seniors can call a cab from the comfort of their home and go to your destination.
You can download the apps for free on iOS and Android devices.
Over to You
So there you have it- several mobile apps for seniors to make life easier. Remember that the list is not comprehensive. There are tens of thousands of handy mobile apps for seniors out there but we picked the best ones.
You also don’t need them all. Just download a few of these apps try them on your smartphone then come share your experience with us in the comment section.
If you didn’t find a suitable app for yourself in this list, let us know that in the comment section so we can add it.
Author Bio
Emma Coffinet is a technology expert who has an interest in making life easier for seniors. She also offers the best essay writing services to students in the subjects of psychology, health, and many others. If you’re looking for argumentative essay help then Emma is the right person to get in touch with.