Senior citizens are making their mark in the world of technology. As of 2016, research showed that 42% of all senior citizens owned a smartphone. With that smartphone comes the opportunity for many apps and assistance to easy senior living. There are many free as well as paid apps that charge a minimal one-time fee to download. Here are several apps that are geared towards different topics that may interest senior citizens.
Medical Apps For Senior Citizens
1. Good RX
Cost: Free
Platform: iPhone & Android
It’s no secret that the cost of medicines has skyrocketed. This app will compare the prices of medicines at more than 60,000 pharmacies to help you find the lowest price. The best part of this app is that it’s a free too!
2. Red Panic Button
Cost: Free for iOS
Platform: iPhone & Android
This app serves as a medical alert on your phone. Instead of wearing one of those bands that you press to get medical attention, you press a button on your phone. When you do this, it sends out a message to a list of people that are pre-designated to let them know you need help. It will also send out your current location.
3. Pillboxie
Cost: Free
Platform: iPhone
Sometimes remembering to take medications can be tricky, especially if you take different medications on different days. The Pillboxie app allows you to make a customized pillbox and set reminders to help you take your pills at their scheduled times.
4. Blood Pressure Monitor
Cost: Free
Platform: iPhone
Keeping track of your blood pressure is vital for many senior citizens. The Blood Pressure Monitor app allows you to track your blood pressure, weight and other vital statistics. You can also easily share them with your doctor.
5. Blood Pressure Companion
Cost: $ 0.99
This blood pressure app measures your blood pressure and heart rate. These measurements are contained in charts that you can show your doctor. You can also get the Android version.
Entertainment Apps For Senior Citizens
6. Crosswords Classic
Platforms: Android, iPhone, iPad
Cost: $9.99
Description: Not only do seniors enjoy reading, playing games and doing puzzles to keep busy, these activities also keep their brain active. This classic crossword puzzle app is available anywhere they go; it has hundreds of puzzles and adds new ones daily.
7. Sudoku
Platforms: Android, iPhone, iPad
Cost: Free
Description: Another great option is Sudoku, the numbers version of the classic crossword. It’s also available for download and can be played anywhere.
8. Lumosity
Platforms: Android, iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad
Cost: Free
Another app that is great for passing the time and keeping the brain sharp. Used by over 60 million people worldwide, this app is designed to help train memory and attention.
Other than these, there a lot of gaming apps, apps that offer TV shows and movies like Netflix, Hotstar, Amazon Prime Video which offer subscriptions to choose from.
Apps For The Social Senior Citizens
9. Skype
Cost: Free
Platform: iPhone & Android
Skype is a great app that allows seniors to video chat with loved ones. This one comes in handy if grandchildren don’t live nearby by allowing seniors to still see them. Sometimes simply talking on the phone isn’t enough. With Skype, everyone can see each other which is a bonus.
10. Tapestry
Cost: Free
Platform: iPhone & Android
Think of this as Facebook for seniors who don’t want to join Facebook. Tapestry is another social media app that allows senior citizens to share messages, photos and videos with their families in a spam-free, ad-free online environment.
Bonus
Magnifying Glass with Flashlight
This simple app will help with reading a small print, whether it is a restaurant menu or a prescription bottle. Apart from easy-to-navigate digital zoom it also provides additional lighting (turning a flash from your camera into a torch) to make the text even more readable. There are many digital magnifier apps out there; this one, however, is notable for combining magnifier with flashlight options.
As you can tell, there are countless apps that can not only help seniors with daily tasks but also entertain and help them stay in touch with loved ones. They also provide another reason to get a smartphone if you’re not in the 42% who already have one!
Do you want to know which hobbies can keep your mind sharp? Follow our blog, Unmukt Festival.