Senior living offers an entirely new and different set of challenges. Many of these challenges are physical, though some seniors also face memory challenges as well. The simple truth is that once you are a senior, some things you once took for granted now require assistance. Modern technology has advanced to the point that much of that assistance can be electronic in the form of apps.
What Are Great Apps for Senior Citizens?
The best apps for seniors are incredibly varied. There are apps that can help with shopping, health, travel, or even just provide entertainment. Which apps are best for you depend primarily on the state of your physical and mental health. If your memory is still picture perfect, for example, but you have difficulty walking, you will gravitate towards chore assistance apps instead of memory assistance apps. Whatever your needs, you are almost certain to find a few useful apps among the following.
Amazon Prime
If getting out of the house for shopping has become a major chore, whether due to mobility issues or because you don’t have consistent transportation, the Amazon Prime app is a life saver. Amazon sells almost every product you could ever want. You can shop for clothing, books, furniture, and even food online. The $11 a month you spend on Amazon Prime means that your purchases are shipped faster and that returns are easier. This will be particularly helpful during the holidays when purchasing gifts for family members.
Pillboxie
If you have to take medication every single day, the Pillboxie app is the $0.99 you will ever spend. The Pillboxie app is a relatively simple app that reminds you to take your pills. This intelligently designed app does not require an active Internet connection to function and even works when your smart device is in sleep mode. Essential for those with memory problems, this app should also be considered a must-buy for seniors who have great memory. Honestly, even if you aren’t a senior, if you take pills regularly, you should probably purchase this app.
Skype
If you have grandchildren, it is almost certain that they have this app and use it regularly. It may not be as personal as a visit, but Skype is one of the best ways to communicate with loved ones. If you aren’t familiar with it, Skype is a communication app that allows real time video and audio communication. This facilitates communication even more than a traditional phone call by allowing you to see facial expressions, hand gestures, and more. If you are committed to staying in touch with family and friends, but can’t visit regularly, Skype is one of the best ways to do that.
Heartwise Blood Pressure Tracker
This medical app is a great way to stay on top of your health, even if you aren’t regularly seeing a doctor. It monitors your weight and blood pressure, tracking it over time. It can’t diagnose problems, but it can give you advance warning that you should speak to a doctor.
Netflix
Everyone gets a little bit bored now and then and a good movie or television show can be a great way to beat the boredom. Netflix is pretty much just a Blockbuster Video store in an app. With this app and a monthly subscription, you can download a nearly infinite number of movies and television series. The selection is excellent, allowing you to indulge in any genre of entertainment you want. And as is true with many of these apps, if you are mobility impaired, this app allows you to keep up with modern movies without having to leave your home.
Eyereader
Even if you have had perfect distance vision your entire life, odds are that as you have gotten older you have become at least a little bit nearsighted. The vast majority of seniors need reading glasses. The Eyereader app offers an alternative to reading glasses. This app turns your smart phone into a large magnifying glass, eliminating the need for corrective lenses. It also provides a small amount of light if you are reading in dark, perhaps because you don’t want to wake up your spouse.
Yesterday USA
Do you have fond memories of the radio shows you listened to as a child? If so, you can relive those memories in the 21st century with Yesterday USA. This app broadcasts radio shows from as early as the 1920s to as late as the 1950s. Some of these shows may be so old that even your parents never heard them, depending on your age.
Red Panic Button
Do you remember the commercials for Life Alert where the old lady fell down and couldn’t get up? In the 80s and 90s that technology required a specialized pager and a monthly fee. Today that technology can be incorporated into your smart phone for $1.99. The Red Panic Button app creates a digital panic button on your smart phone. If you press the button, your exact location is immediately sent to any emergency contact you designate via a text alert and e-mail. Perfect for seniors, this is also an app that you may want to purchase for your grandchildren, in order to keep them safe from both injury and possible abduction.
Find my iPad
The Find my iPad app is another app that, while excellent for seniors, really should be installed no matter how old you are. As the name suggests, this app will help you find your iPad if it is lost or stolen. Anyone who has ever misplaced a phone or eyeglasses knows exactly how useful this type of app can be. And if you are a senior that is reliant on your iPad to provide assistance with everyday activities, ensuring that you can always find it is critical.
By taking advantage of these best apps for seniors you can enjoy your years as a senior as much, or more, than you enjoyed the earlier years of your life. Used regularly, these apps will help you maintain your independence and improve your overall quality of life.
