Are your parents aging but still wanting to keep in touch, be in the know, and continue to be avid fans of their smartphones? Now is a great time to be a tech-savvy senior, as they have far more options to choose from when it comes to applications designed to keep their lives simpler and more streamlined. While your mother or father may be huge fans of the new phones available, they may not be aware of all the great options.
They can do more than shop for best deals for catheters online; now they can take control of their lives with some great new products.
Here are ten apps every tech-happy parent should download onto their phone.
1. Pillboxie
This useful app, which is only available for iPhone, gives a visual guide to help with daily, short-term, or weekly medications. Rather than just a note that pops up on your calendar, this is a virtual medicine cabinet that helps users see and organize their meds easily, gives them a gentle reminder to mark what they have taken and see if they missed anything. This app is great for anyone taking medication that just needs a little reminder not to miss a day.
2. Mint Bills and Money
This application is here to make sure you never miss a bill payment. Available for Android as well as iPhone, the app is especially nice because, after its initial set-up, all that’s needed is a quick confirmation to go ahead and digitally pay a bill. This app makes sure that the power never goes off, the cable is always on, and the gas is available. It can also monitor your bank accounts and credit cards to show you any unusual activity or just help you check your balance. No more forgetting a payment or making troublesome trips to the bank.
3. Goodreads
Reading is such a great activity for all of us but, especially, for those of us getting on in years. This app completes the experience with a social element—users can make friends with other fans of their favorite books and leave messages for one another. Book reviews are also encouraged, and readers can list books they plan to read in the future, as well as communicate with their favorite authors. Best of all, the app is free and available for all phones and tablets.
4. Words with Friends
This app goes beyond note writing or just chatting. With this popular word game application, users can challenge friends, family, or random users to a game of scrabble. While traditional rules apply, this app puts a new twist on an old favorite. The game has no time limit, so one match can last if the two opponents need to do other things, they can message one another in the chat section, and those who want to play alone have the solo play option.
Anyone looking for a new friend to play also has the Smart Match option. This option evaluates one’s skill level and matches them to someone at a similar level. Scrabble champions can easily find others who can keep up with them while beginners do not have to get creamed by a pro.
5. Spotify
You may think of Spotify—for Android as well as iPhone—as a place to find new music, but it is also a great place to find old favorites. Does your dad go on and on about the genius of Lawrence Welk? He can find the man’s music here. Users can create personalized radio stations based on their interests and even use the app on their desktop computer to fill the room with their favorite tunes. Don’t be surprised if you catch them dancing once they have their membership.
6. Skype
Keeping in touch is extremely important to everyone in your family, especially those who are getting older. Skype is a wonderful, free app that can be used on a desktop or any phone. The technology combines video and audio for a great option to catch up. Group conversation options are also available, as well as calling a landline or cell phone if necessary. See new babies, check in on distant relatives, and even go exploring together with the help of this very fun application.
7. Lumosity
Designed to keep brains active and memory alive, Lumosity is essentially a gym for your brain that you can access from any phone or tablet. The games on this application were designed by neuroscientists in hopes of helping people challenge themselves mentally and do so in a way that is entertaining and helps them have fun.
You will not feel like you are taking a test, but rather like you are playing a low-key, entertaining video game. The application can help prevent mental issues like Alzheimer’s and dementia. It also just improves general cognition so anyone can jump in on the fun. The app has gone worldwide for a reason—it is just great!
8. Blood Pressure Monitor
Only available for Apple phones, Blood Pressure Monitor helps users take control of their heart health and keep track of their pressure, their heart rates, and their activity. The app comes complete with reminders to take medicine or do an activity, as well as help to export any unusual activity to a doctor’s email. While this is not meant to replace any professional tools, it can help anyone with heart concerns feel better with a visual chart of just how their heart is doing and give a clear warning when something is going wrong.
9. Evernote
Evernote is an especially good one for senior citizens living alone or with limited care. The digital notebook comes in three versions, from free to premium, and offers all kinds of things. Listing different things to remember, a to-do list, audio notes, digitizing business cards, and just writing out documents are all available for both Android and Apple users. Also, it syncs up phones with desktop computers so that it can be used from any interface. Never forget a thing with the help of this great digital personal assistant.
10. WebMD Pain Coach
You have likely already used the WebMD website, which helps identify problems through symptoms, but you may not have tried this great app, though you and your parents absolutely should. It is designed to be a holistic approach to pain management and to take the mystery out of health problems, the app has a pain tracker, offers advice on pain reduction, and helps the user keep a kind of journal to show their doctor to help explain the problem. The app also has a daily goal tracker, dietary suggestions, and a built-in library of articles about preventative health to help users.
