There’s an app for everything! From games, social media, streaming sites… but there are certain types of apps that serve a much more practical purpose, and should be installed on every senior citizen’s phone! It’s not all fun and games (but there’s room for that too, sometimes!)

Recently, we published a piece about why senior citizens should learn to use the internet, and having access to these apps are also very compelling reasons to get online.

The following apps will help keep you safe, keep you commented to your loved ones, and keep you busy when you’re looking for something to do. If a particular app isn’t available for the device you have (some apps are only for iPhone, some are only for Android phones), it’s still worth searching your app store, because you’ll probably be able to find something similar. Our goal is to help introduce you to what’s out there, and what’s possible, when it comes to the best apps for seniors to use.

Medicare’s What’s Covered App

Medicare has an app called “What’s Covered” that is designed to answer that exact question. It gives you a quick and easy reference to find out exactly what is covered, and what’s not covered, by your specific Medicare plan. This can be really useful to determine your monthly budgets, and knowing what types of care are available to you. It’s unfortunate that we have to plan our health based on the coverage we have, in some cases, but being better informed on these types of things is always a positive. You can learn more about the Medicare app here.

Speaking of what Medicare covers, here are some answers to some of the most common questions we get:

Life360

This is an app that parents will use to keep tabs on their children and teenagers. It allows family members to automatically “check-in” digitally, to see where they are (to ensure that when a teenager says they’re giong to the mall, that they’re actually going to the mall), and more. While that’s the common-use for it, it’s also great to help other family members ensure that the senior citizens in their life are safe and secure. Kids don’t like it because it feels like a bit of an invasion of privacy, but as you get older and don’t have to worry about telling your parents whose house you’re staying at for a sleepover, it actually becomes a really useful service for senior citizens and their family members.

This is one of the best apps for seniors living alone because it allows authorized people to ensure that everything’s okay. Another option is virtual companion care, for folks who need a higher-level of involvement from their carer. Life360 is also one of the best apps for seniors with dementia, especially if they’re still in the very early stages and haven’t transitioned into a care home yet.

AARP Now

The AARP has an app that helps keep you up to date with news, events, discounts for seniors, and even local happenings. It’s meant for AARP members to keep up to date with the things that matter to them, all in one convenient place, right on their phone. If you’re a member of the AARP, this app is a must-have! You can save money, and stay up to date on the things that matter to you.

Audible

This is an app that’s owned by Amazon. It gives you access to purchase and enjoy audiobooks. A nice voice, often times the author of the book you choose, will read to you. It’s great for people who have trouble reading small text on the pages of a book, but still love getting lost in a great story. There’s a monthly fee, depending on which package you choose, that will entitle you to download a set number of new books each month, depending on how often you like to listen. Audible saves you spot, has a lot of useful accessibility settings, and is more affordable than buying books, in a lot of cases.

Lumosity

This is an app that’s meant to train your brain and to keep you sharp. It has a number of different tests, activities, and games that are designed to help you exercise your memory, solve different puzzles, and even track your progress. An important aspect of cognitive health is to use your brain. It’s easy to let certain parts of your brain rest for too long, but like any muscle, they need to be used and exercised, and that’s exactly what the Lumosity app helps with.

Lumosity is available in the Apple App Store as well as for Android. It requires a paid subscription to get the most out of it, but if you don’t want to pay a bit of money for this app, you can always search your app store for different types of puzzle and brain teaser apps. It won’t be as cohesive of a package, but you’ll still be able to keep your brain active.

Zoom

Zoom wasn’t a super-popular app until very recently, as many people started using it for remote meetings and for keeping in touch with their family members. Zoom is appealing becasue it’s very simple to use, and it allows you to see your loved ones face-to-face (through a screen.)

In the past, apps like Skype were popular for communicating and doing video calls, but Zoom has taken the throne. Your loved ones can simply send you a link, and like magic, you’ll be connected to them. If you have children or grandchildren, make sure you tell them that you want them to setup a Zoom call for you as soon as possible. All you need is a cellphone, a tablet, or a desktop computer/laptop with an internet connection and a camera and you’ll be able to connect to them anytime.

Find Your Car With AR

Find Your Car With AR is an Android app that helps you remember where you parked your car. It uses GPS to tag the location you’ve parked, and then if you can’t remember where you parked, it will help guide you to the location of your car, visually. After you’ve parked, simply take a photo of your parking spot and the app will take care of the rest.

It works whether you’re in a parking lot, or parked along the street somewhere. You can also use it for other things, like if you’re visiting somewhere that you’re less familiar with and you go for a walk, or even if you’re starting to have memory problems.

This app is a great example of how a relatively simple and basic piece of technology can make life much easier. Everyone forgets where they’ve parked, or gets turned around sometimes, even younger people. But with age, it can become more and more of a struggle. If you’re not using an Android phone, there are other apps for iPhone such as Anchor Pointer Compass GPS that will get the job done.

Pillboxie

Pillboxie is an app that’s available for iPhones and other Apple devices. It helps you keep track of which medications you need to take each day, and when you need to take them. It will give you reminders, and is very useful.

The thing about forgetting to take medications is that you really don’t have any way of knowing that you’ve forgotten, until you start to feel the negative side effects of missing a dose. With Pillboxie, you won’t miss or forget any of your medications. It has a visual interface to help you, and allows you to fully customize the experience to meet your needs. For something as important as this, it’s better to have a concrete reminder instead of trying to go based off of nothing but memory. Everyone forgets things now and then – but Pillboxie doesn’t forget!

The Best Apps For Seniors Are Changing Lives

It can be tricky to adapt to the latest technology, especially if you grew up at a time when app meant appetizer, but you’ll enjoy countless benefits by checking out whichever apps on this list appeal to you. Everyone has their own interests and needs, and as the saying goes, “there’s an app for that!” Hopefully this list of the best apps for seniors will help improve your life!