Finding the right app can be a challenge. It’s not enough to just download an app and use it—you need to find the right one for you, and then you need to use it!
This is where [company name] comes in. We’ve compiled a list of the best apps for seniors, so that you can find exactly what you need, and get started on a healthier, more fulfilling life.
There are so many benefits to using apps: they’re easy to access from anywhere; they offer privacy; they’re free; and most importantly, they allow you to stay connected with friends and family while protecting your sensitive information from hackers and identity thieves.
Best Apps For Seniors 2018
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RETIREMENT
RETIREMENT
The Best Apps for Older Adults You Should Download Right Now
The Best Apps for Older Adults You Should Download Right Now
By Alix Langone
December 20, 2018
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Photo illustration by Money; Getty images (3); Screenshots courtesy of apps
Not so long ago, technology aimed at older adults was all function, no form. But those days are gone, and today grownups enjoy the same sleek and useful devices as everyone else — you can play your favorite tunes, calculate your retirement readiness, and monitor your blood pressure all in the palm of your hand.
Around 42% of Americans age 65 and older used smartphones and almost 70% were using the Internet as of 2017, according to Pew Research Center; those numbers are only going up. As retirees continue to integrate technology into their lives at a faster and faster pace, it’s good to know how to make the most of your devices, whether you have an iPhone, iPad or Android.
Here at Money, we’ve rounded up the best free apps for older adults and caretakers to download. If you’re up for a splurge, consider buying an Apple watch and using these apps on it. The latest model has a heart monitor and other medical capabilities. Plus, if you fall out of reach of your cell phone, you’ll still be able to call for help.
Medisafe
Created by two brothers after their father mistakenly took an extra dose of insulin and almost died, Medisafe is a health app with more than 19,000 reviews and a 4.7 rating on the iOS App store. One of its most useful features is the medication reminder option, which allows you to set alarms and will also notify you if you’re running low on a prescription or have been prescribed medications that aren’t supposed to be taken together. You can also add a family member or caregiver as a “Medifriend” to be sent reminders if you miss a dose. Available for iPhone and Android.
Google Maps (Parking Spot Reminders)
Remembering where you parked your car is hard for everyone. That’s why Google Maps added a parking spot feature (Apple Maps offers this feature, too). You have to keep your location services for the app on “always” (which can admittedly drain battery), and turn on the “know where you parked” button, but once you do, you avoid the hassle of having to open a separate app once you arrive at your destination. Once it’s enabled, Google automatically drops a blue dot on the map where you parked your car. It also recently introduced a parking spot saver feature in some U.S. cities, too, which will point you to designated parking garages nearby once activated. If you want to use a separate app, however, we recommend downloading Find My Car Smarter (which is also free) or Anchor Pointer ($1.99). Available for iPhone and Android.
Magnifying Glass With Light
This tried and true app will always be helpful to have on hand. It essentially makes your iPhone into a full-screen magnifying glass that helps you read pretty much anything. From menus in dark restaurants to prescription bottles or even regular old mail, you can use this app to zoom in on type and shine a light on it at the same time. You can also take photos of items and then zoom in on the photo. It even allows you to enable an auto-light feature that will turn on automatically in low-setting sights. Available for iPhone and Android.
HomeAway
The popular vacation booking website, which is similar to Airbnb, has a corresponding app that has high-quality photos of listings that feel easy to scroll through. The app also stores important information that for many people can be easy to lose track of — even if you’re offline you can still access things like WiFi passwords and rental check-in instructions if you forgot to bring them with you. The HomeAway app makes booking comfortable vacation accommodations painless for retirees who don’t want the responsibility of owning an expensive second home. But if you do own a vacation house? You can rent it out on HomeAway easily, too. Available for iPhone and Android.
Can I Retire Yet?
Personal finance expert Darrow Kirkpatrick created an app for his website Can I Retire Yet? to track your progress towards or in retirement. The free version allows you to do a basic check up of your goals, but if you want more in-depth analysis and financial modeling, including tax planning, you can download the paid version for $9.95. Available for Android.
TaxCaster by Intuit TurboTax
This TurboTax app may come in especially handy this year thanks to tax reform. You can estimate your income taxes and also compare how your situation differs from last year, so you can see what changed for you under the new tax law. It can also help you make related financial decisions like realizing capital gains. Plus, it’s available for both iPhones and Androids.
Lumosity
Staying mentally sharp is important to maintaining quality of life as you age, and Lumosity is one of the most popular “brain training” and memory apps out there, with a 4.7 rating in the iOS App store. It offers a wide variety of brain teasers and puzzles that proponents say enhance cognitive skills like problem-solving and critical thinking. You can also take a free “fit test” to see how your mental muscles measure up to other people your age. Available for iPhone and Android.
Epicurious
Epicurious is a popular food app that offers a little bit of everything — more than 35,000 recipes, cooking videos, a seasonal ingredients locator that will show you what foods are available at farms near you and much more. You can even import recipes directly into a shopping list within the app. It also includes real reviews from other real people so you can see feedback from others at your skill level. Available for iPhone and Android.
Senior Discounts
One of the best parts of getting older is that you’re eligible for all kinds of discounts. If you aren’t an AARP member, this app shows you other kinds of discounts, too. Many people assume senior citizens discounts are for people 65 and older, but this app also includes discounts and savings available to 55-year-olds. While some reviews have pointed out it can be glitchy at times, it categorizes discounts by age and type, which keeps it simple and easy to use. Available for iPhone and Android.
apps for elderly care
Being a caregiver for a family member can be as taxing as it is rewarding, and the role often goes underappreciated. While a support network of family and friends is crucial, apps can help alleviate some of the stresses that come with caregiving.
SEE ALSO: 13 apps that support and empower the autistic community
From helping to keep track of appointments to assisting in health emergencies, apps are tackling all areas of caregiving. Here are 10 notable apps that can help support caregivers every day.
- AARP Caregiving
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Credit: AARP Caregiving/Itunes
This app comes from one of the most notable names in elderly care. AARP Caregiving is an app that empowers caregivers with information on how to effectively care for an aging loved one.
The app allows users to monitor symptoms, coordinate care with other family or caregivers, and keep track of appointments and medications. It also features a help center, where caregivers can find answers to urgent or commonly asked questions.
AARP Caregiving is available for free on iPhone and Android.
- CareZone
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Credit: CareZone/Itunes
Dubbed a “health info organizer,” CareZone helps caregivers keep track of medical information by organizing medication, allergies, insurance cards and ID cards all in one place.
Through the app, caregivers can also create to-do lists to keep track of appointments and medication times. The app also curates news relevant to your loved one’s illness, disability or condition. All features are private and secure, according to the company, meaning sensitive information stays private.
CareZone is available for free on iPhone or Android.
- Alzheimer’s Caregiver Buddy
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Credit: Alzheimer’s Caregiver Buddy/Google Play
The Alzheimer’s Association, a leader in action and awareness around the disease, developed this “caregiver buddy” app to help caregivers manage their personal stress, navigate family conflict and reach a 24/7 helpline.
The app includes features like daily care tips for tasks related to hygiene and meal times, and fun activities that will stimulate the body and mind of someone living with dementia. It also covers how to cope with new and sometimes overwhelming behaviors, like aggression or hallucination.
Alzheimer’s Caregiver Buddy is available for free on iPhone or Android.
- Care.com
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Credit: Care.Com App/ITunes
Need a helping hand? Care.com’s app helps you find temporary, qualified care for your loved ones — including caregivers specializing in the needs of people with disabilities and aging populations — with just a few taps of your finger.
Users of the app can search resumes and applications of local professional caregivers to find the right fit for their families. Primary caregivers can even book interviews and facilitate payment through the app, making hiring a professional easy when needed.
Care.com’s app is available for free on iPhone or Android.
- Elder 411
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Credit: Elder 411/ITunes
Elder 411, developed by award-winning geriatric doctor Marion Somers, has practical information for caregivers all in one place.
From safety in the home to communication tips, this app makes caregiving easier to navigate by starting with the basics. It even includes tips on how to manage stress as a caregiver.
Elder 411 is available for $.99 on iPhone.
- First Aid by American Red Cross
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Credit: First Aid By American ReD Cross/Itunes
With so much to remember as a caregiver, it’s helpful to have reminders of the basics — and that includes first aid and CPR. The First Aid app from the American Red Cross provides users with clear and concise first aid and CPR instructions to help in the event of an emergency.
The app also helps users identify health concerns by decoding symptoms, which is especially useful for people who are displaying physical symptoms but can’t verbally describe what they are experiencing.
First Aid by American Red Cross is available for free on iPhone or Android.
- iPharmacy Pro
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Credit: IPharmacy/Itunes
People living with health challenges are sometimes prescribed numerous medications to help ease and manage symptoms. But keeping track of everything that comes with that can get difficult.
iPharmacy Pro helps caregivers easily identify medications, check for any potential drug interactions, and track prescriptions.
The app is available for $.99 on iPhone and Android.
- CaringBridge
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Credit: CaringBridge/Itunes
Communication is critical when dividing caregiving duties among multiple people — and that’s where CaringBridge can help. CaringBridge connects several caregivers through one app, allowing several people to keep track of appointments, changes in health and other essential information.
Users can also send each other inspiring messages and motivation through the app, which really helps pull together a team of caregivers in the toughest moments.
CaringBridge is available for free on iPhone or Android.
- Symple
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Credit: Symple/Itunes
Symple is an easy way to keep track of your loved one’s symptoms like anxiety, fatigue and pain over long periods of time. The app allows you to track up to 10 individual symptoms, recording how your loved one feels and documenting any possible contributing factors to mood or health shifts.
Symple features an interactive graph and spreadsheet that a caregiver can use independently, or send to a doctor for evaluation. Users say the app is simple to use, making it easy to remember sometimes vital health information in between office visits.
The app is available for free on iPhone.
- Pacifica
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Credit: Pacifica/ITunes
Pacifica may not help with the routine tasks of a caregiver, but it does help them with something essential: self-care. Caregivers have to navigate a lot of responsibility, which studies say sometimes leads to and increased risk of depression, stress and other health impacts.
To best care for someone else, caregivers need to take care of themselves. Pacifica is a mindfulness app that aids in relief of anxiety, depression and stress. Users can track their moods and health, while also keeping track of moments during the day that trigger mood shifts. The app has in-app exercises, too, which help reduce stress and anxiety.
Pacifica is available for free on iPhone or Android, with extra features available for a monthly or yearly subscription.
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