Technology is not easy for everyone. It can get daunting and confusing. While many of us are struggling with the gifts of old age, there are some ways we can use technology for the better.
We asked people what worked for them. And how technology aids their day-to-day life. Whether it is a simple medication reminder app or something as intricate as a routine tracker app.
And we came up with an ultimate guide that will solve most of your troubles - with your smartphone.
It is completely normal to feel overwhelmed by technology. We don't have to become tech-savvy to benefit from it.
We have curated a list of 12 helpful apps designed to make lives easy and more fun for seniors.
Let's get started!
Table of Contents
A video calling app that actually cares about the elderly. Bthere understands the troubles that come with old age and tries to remedy that.
An elegant and simple design with a bigger and better interface – Bthere is effortless to use.
You can stay in touch with your loved ones without buying an extra device for that. All you need is an internet connection.
It is easy to set up, has excellent yet simple-to-use features, and offers what most apps in this genre don't - a compassionate support service.
Steven, a 65 years old veteran, keeps in touch with his children with Bthere. It took him less than one minute to set up a second-hand tablet in his living room. Now he can visit his children anytime with a press of a button.
He loves living independently. Far away from the city, in a little cabin by the lake – just like he planned in his 40s.
He can even connect with his friends in a single call. Without breaking a sweat!
Learn more about Bthere app for seniors. It is free to download and does not include any advertisements.
Whether you own an Android or an iPhone, you have one of these apps already installed.
Google Fit and Apple Health serve the same purpose.
They oversee your health issues, calculate your calories, and create workout regimes. These apps also aid in your sleep and personalize your fitness routine.
You can improve their functionality by using a smartwatch. Also featured in Safety Devices for the Elderlies, smartwatches measures your fitness data in real-time and synchronizes with your phone.
You don't have to use the watch, but have one on your wrists if you can.
Be My Eyes is a simple and free tool that connects people with poor or no eyesight with people who want to help.
The app is straightforward to use. Whenever you find it hard to read something, ask for help. And a member will instantly connect to help you!
Through Be My Eyes, you can find many volunteers ready to lend a helping hand. Or, in this case, their sight.
It is a free app with support in various languages. And the community is supported by millions of volunteers - rated ★4.7 on Play Store.
For day-to-day activities, having a second set of eyes can really make a difference. Whether it is a public sign, recognizing a color, or simply trying to download something from the Internet. There are good hearts out there willing to help. And this app connects you to them.
No one likes medicines. But we have to take them timely. Various pill reminder apps make it easy for us to remember taking those pills.
MyTherapy is more than a pill reminder. It is ad-free, has a simple interface, and helps track your mood and manage the stock of your medicines.
We advise everyone, regardless of their age, to install this app. Even the younger people in our team use this app to remember their supplements and medications.
You can log your medicines, add reminders, restock when needed, and don't have to skip anymore!
This app also provides personalized tips and measurements for diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, anxiety, depression, and hypertension (High blood pressure).
You don't even have to register yourself to use this app.
The "BaldPhone" provides a better, bigger, and bolder interface for older eyes. It is made exclusively for senior users and people with motor or visual impairments.
And it can help anyone who struggles to use mobile phones.
BaldPhone is completely free, with no ads -whatsoever.
This app also features a bigger onscreen keyboard for people who find it hard to type with their regular keyboards.
BaldPhone includes:
You can customize it to fit your preferences.
Technology. The age-old nemesis for most baby boomers. It's time you learn to control this beast with Empowerji.
Created to teach the non-tech-savvy kinds, you can empower yourself with just enough knowledge.
Jacob, a grandfather of four rascals, used Empowerji to learn the ABCs of the Internet and his tablet device. He even helped us curate this list of innovative apps for oldies like him.
He learned at his own pace and surprised his grandchildren with newly acquired handiness in digital technology.
You can seek assistance from real people running this app and find many simple-to-follow videos.
Carer is designed to help patients and caregivers. You can monitor and manage your medical appointments, find support from healthcare experts and hire qualified nurses and home care.
Dennis Chang uses Carer to keep track of his parents' medication and appointments. He likes the simplicity of hiring caregivers straight from the app.
Carer registers certified and vetted nurses from your locality and make it convenient to hire them.
An innovative game designed specifically for baby boomers. With over 50 games and an easy interface, anyone can enjoy some good old brain exercises.
It combines brain stimulation with fun, and the result is quite enjoyable.
You can play:
Terri Schmidt, 63, felt a little rusty and wanted to improve his concentration and memory. Games like Train your brain help him keep his cognitive mind in check.
Games like these are great for killing time, improving memory and mental functions, and are pleasant to play.
Living with dementia is not easy. Memory loss can be discouraging as well. But we should never lose our will to live. There are ways we can try to lead a happier life, regardless of our mental or physical condition.
There are other options for the elderly who cannot learn or remember to use a tablet or smartphone.
One of these options is Billy.
Billy uses non-intrusive sensors in your home and keeps family members updated with your well-being.
This app, used alongside the smart-home sensors, monitors your daily activities without invading your privacy. And it keeps your loved ones as close as technology can get you today.
It is handy for elders living independently.
With the intelligent sensors, this app can give your family access to real-time information about your everyday life, such as:
This game is as simple as it gets. No menu, no configurations, and no annoying sound effects.
We list this app as innovative simply because of its simplicity. Which unfortunately is a sight for sore eyes nowadays.
There are no advertisements and in-app purchases. All you have to do is solve the good old matching card puzzles. Easy for the heart and the mind.
Miah-Michelle Vance lost her short-term memory in a car crash. She finds this game a blessing. Pami Vanst said her mother (81) with Alzeheimer loves to play this game. She reaches as high as level 17. Josie Marquez's parent (87) plays this game all day!
This game will bring good memories from the past when computer games like these were a thing. And playing this game can slow down short-term memory loss.
This app is designed to make lives easier for elders. This app provides you with a simplified touch interface. Big fonts and icons do many tasks which otherwise can get hard to do.
With this app, you can:
This app is specially designed to help older folks get fitter and improve their mental health. Mental exercises are as important as physical exercise. This app allows people with dementia and Alzheimer's to live healthier lives.
You can download this app on your iPhone or iPad and even on your computer.
Rated ★4.8, Over a million people use this app to enjoy a healthy aging lifestyle.
Peter Wilson, a senior, has been really enjoying this app. He likes the fun aspect to improve overall mental health.
MindMate offers a lot to the plate. Some of its features include:
You can even record your personal data securely in the app for later recalling. This app is a keeper if you want to take it up a notch.
This app focuses on helping older folks with their tablets. Reviewed as one of the favorite apps for seniors, Easy Tablet can teach you to use the basic functions of your tablet like a pro.
It is always a good idea to keep an eye on your budget and savings, no matter how old you are. Saving Tracker is a simple application that keeps track of your money for you.
A classic board game, now played by millions on their mobile devices. Scrabble encourages people to solve word problems and gives pure entertainment to players.
Handy in various situations and SOS, the "Panic Button" can help you in emergencies. It is loud. It is a must-have app on mobile devices.
Amazon Kindle is one of the most downloaded phone app ever. Read your favorite books straight from your devices. Kindle enables its older readers to control the visibility of the text – making them bigger with a tap.
You can even enjoy various books in your favorite genre at a great discount. With a press of a button, you can enjoy Lord of the Rings or The Tragedy of Hamlet.
And if you don't like Amazon Kindle for some reason, you can try Apple Books.
Call a cab whenever you need one. Uber is simple to use, has a clean interface, and does not include any unnecessary app bloat.
Listen to your favorite local radio, retro music, and podcasts from this widely popular app. Spice up your daily life with evergreen entertainment.
One of the oldest and most popular video and voice calling apps in the world. It is also one of the most downloaded mobile apps seniors use.
A simple app to magnify anything around you with your camera phone. And a flashlight to see through the dark. This app does nothing more than that. And for many people, that's just enough.
Physical and mental exercises help people of any age. Our body houses weaker bones and aged flesh in old age. Walking in good breezy weather can refresh your body and soul. Playing brain games like chess, sudoku, or crossword can help the brain to stimulate oxygen properly.
You can even use put that smartphone in your pocket for better use. There are many apps and inbuilt features there to help you achieve better health and fitness.
There are some companies dedicated to providing solutions for old people. Bthere is one of those companies, working days in and out to build better and more secure communication between physically distant families.
You can connect with your offspring and help them sleep better at night.
1.Remove the apps you don't need.
2.Install the mentioned app and keep the ones you find helpful.
3.Use the contacts widget to keep your loved ones only a tap away.
4.Install video call apps like Bthere and WhatsApp.
5.Use accessibility settings to personalize your iPhone better.
6.Keep your dock and home screen decluttered.
7.Use a loud ringtone.
1.Apple Health
2.Google Fit
3.MindMate
4.MyTherapy Pill Reminder
5.Carer - Healthcare for the elderly
We hope you enjoyed our list of innovative apps for seniors. While technology can seem intimidating at first, these apps are a breeze for seniors. For all the old guns out there, you can enjoy these apps with your entire family.
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