With technology sometimes disrupts our lives in both good and distracting ways, there are apps that we can download onto our devices to make our lives easier. If you’re not tech-savvy, that’s okay, many of these apps are easy to use and that’s the point. At least 62% of people over the age of 70 have and actively use their smartphones. 81% of those between 60 and 69 also have and use their smart devices as well.
Most of this usage may account for general communication such as calls and the occasional text or Facetime call but in this digital age, it’s easy to find an app for just about anything increasing the things you can use your phone for beyond just calling and texting. There are a few top options that every senior should know about. Let’s shine some light on them.
Life360
This app is primarily used as a family locator. You can add all of your family members to your account and stay aware of their whereabouts, phone battery level, and even their driving habits throughout a given day. It serves as a way to keep your family in the loop with each other through smart technology.
For seniors, it can offer invaluable features that could be of good use. The app has an SOS feature which allows you to summon help without having to say anything. Also, you can look forward to;
- Identity theft protection
- Crash detection
- Place alerts
- Location History
Life360 is a good way to keep your family in tune with where you are while increasing your safety. This app has proved to be a top must-have app for seniors living in Florida and anywhere else for that matter from its safety features alone.
Magnifying Glass With Light
When you get older, your eyesight starts to decline which is just a normal part of aging and if you wear some form of eyewear, it can become a hassle keeping up with them if you don’t wear them all the time. Sometimes it’s good to have a backup and in this case, the Magnifying Glass With Light app is the perfect plan B for when you need it.
What this app does is turn your phone into a magnifying glass and it uses your camera light to enhance its visual capabilities. Whether you need to view a menu, read a book, or just identify print that’s too hard to make out, that’s what this app is for. It helps to reduce your need to strain your eyes and it’s a quick solution to reading small print or things that are just very close up. Some of its most notable features will include;
- High contrast mode
- Image stabilizer
- Crystal clear mode
- Portrait and landscape support
Medisafe Medication Management
More than 55% of the senior population doesn’t take the medications that they were prescribed. This is something that could lead to preventable issues and forgetfulness is a contributor. Luckily, this is a simple fix with the Medisafe app. If you never want to miss a medication again, this application is worth a download.
This app is designed to make it easier for seniors to keep track of their medications and it’s actually ranked #1 by multiple physicians and pharmacists as a top medication reminder app. With Medisafe, you make keeping up with your medications not just more simple but safer and the app itself is easy to use.
From refill reminders, the ability to interact with your family through the app, specific reminder tones you can choose from, and even report sharing that you can use with your physician, every senior should have this app downloaded on their devices.
Audible
Audiobooks are popular for all age groups but they can be a great resource for seniors in the sense that they can be soothing for seniors actively suffering from dementia and even Alzheimer’s Disease. Not only that but audiobooks are a great sense of comfort for seniors and they can help to establish a better connection between the listener and their interests or curiosities. Another great thing about this app is that it’s an affordable way to stimulate your mind, reduce boredom, and even a good way to learn new things with no effort on your part.
It’s been shown that audiobooks or any form of book-reading, stimulate emotional and cognitive areas of the brain through evidence found on brain scans and through data analysis so it’s safe to say that if you’re a senior living in Florida, Audible might be a good thing to try while you’re taking advantage of a nearby beach or park.
Lumosity: Brain Training
This app is designed to enhance your cognitive abilities. Its main purpose is to stimulate your mental well-being and it does this by helping users to exercise their memory as well as their reasoning skills. Lumosity is quite popular and it’s used by more than 100 million people across the globe. The best part is the way the app was designed.
This brilliantly-made app is a host of games meant to exercise your brain speed, flexibility, and your ability to solve problems. Did you know that brain games actually help to reduce the chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of cognitive decline? It’s a simple solution to better brain health and a great way to use prevention when it comes to your overall wellness.
Your Devices Can Provide You With More Than You Think
When you think about it, some apps on your phone can be essential to your safety and well-being. Technology is constantly advancing and more apps are being made with specific purposes in mind. These apps are meant to make our lives easier in some way whether that’s by providing us with entertainment, keeping us connected with family and friends, increasing our productivity levels, monitoring our vitals, or waiting to alert help when we need it.
Many people aren’t aware of the value that some apps can bring into our lives and if you’re a senior, there are apps that you might find to be worth significant value based on your needs. Try some of them today to decide for yourself what works best for you.
