Today everyone uses smartphones; it is not limited only to the younger generation. You would be amazed to notice that even older adults have started to realise the usefulness of smartphones! Imagine seeing your grandfather beating you at a game of Fruit Ninja – wouldn’t that be just awesome?
One out of four people of and above the age of 50 uses a smartphone, and with the advent of the latest apps, these mobile devices can prove to be of great help to an elder.
Literally over a million apps are now available on App Store and Google Play combined, and that too on every conceivable idea to make our lives easier in many different ways.
There are apps that help exercise the brain to keep it sharper and agile for longer. Some of these can be great for elders with mental ailments. Listed below, in no particular order, are 7 applications that must be a part of an elder’s life.
1. MedWatcher
The MedWatcher health app is equipped with a simple description of the various medicines prescribed to older adults, their usage, and their side effects.
Elders are often given a number of medicines and now getting detailed information about all of these is easily possible thanks to MedWatcher.
The app also offers you safety alerts on selected vaccines, medicines, and related news. It’s a project of Boston Children’s Hospital and is absolutely free.
2. BrainTest
BrainTest can aid in keeping the brain healthy. All over the world, Dementia and Alzheimer’s patients can be diagnosed using different testing methods. One of these is known as SAGE (The Self-Administered GeroCognitive Exam).
There are four types of SAGE tests, and you can take any one of them to assess your brain health. People sitting at home can also use this app by downloading it and testing their cognitive functions.
3. Pillboxie
Pillboxie is for those older adults who frequently forget to take their medication on time.
This app is the easiest and quickest way to remember your medicine time. here are other apps designed for the same purpose, but are either complicated to use, or just plain boring. Pillboxie is a convenient medication management system that is easy-to-use. All you have to do is drop a pill in a box! It comes for just $0.99.
4. HeartWise Blood Pressure Tracker
HeartWise Blood Pressure Tracker quickly records and tracks changes in your blood pressure, heart rate, and weight.
You don’t really have to stand on a weighing scale and there is no need to buy an expensive Sphygmomanometer.
5. Dragon Dictation
This is one of the smartest apps for older adults as it can assist them with their day-to-day smartphone-related activities.
With Dragon Dictation, your grandpa can send messages, log in to their digital journals and post a status on Facebook or Twitter – all by simple dictation.
Dragon Dictator has a voice-recognition app that translates your spoken words into text and is 5 times faster than a standard keyboard.
So why bother typing at a keyboard. Just speak your mind and let Dragon Dictation do the rest.
6. EyeReader
The EyeReader app allows older adults to read under dim light. It is available on App Store and works in two ways:
- Your iPhone’s LED light is utilised to provide the light source.
- The app magnifies every small part into larger images for better reading.
It costs only $1.99 and is now optimised for iOS 9.
7. Words with Friends
Words with Friends is a game app that is very similar to the popular board game Scrabble. Players can challenge their friends and family members, and what’s more, other players could be sitting in the next room or another country. This allows users to play a mentally engaging game while staying social at the same time. You can enjoy a game with your grandparents in any language you wish.
I’ve found this list to be very useful in many ways. If there are other apps that you’ve enjoyed using, please do share them with us in the comments section below.
About the Author
Erica Silva is a Freelance writer by day and sports fan by night. I write about tech education and health related issues (but not at the same time). Live simply, give generously, watch football and love technology. Find me on twitter @ericadsilva1.
