As seniors become more tech-savvy, they look for ways that technology can help and improve their retirement years. For seniors residing in independent and assisted living communities, technology can be especially useful in their everyday lives. Here are 5 apps that seniors can use to improve their assisted living experience.
Keeping Your Mind Sharp: Elevate-Brain Training
Elevate-Brain Training is an app that exercises your brain. It features games like:
- Math problems
- Association
- Spelling and grammar
To begin, the app (which is free) will ask you what areas you would like to improve (e.g. focus, math skills, etc.) and take you through a few timed quizzes. After this step is over, it will rate your score and then help you work on the areas that need improvement. To use the app, you will have to create an account, either through your Facebook account or email.
How It Can Help Seniors
Learning new skills helps the brain make new connections and process information faster. Keeping the mind occupied and sharp while aging has been shown to stave off dementia and other memory problems. Mind games like math problems and correlations help improve:
- Memory
- Cognition
- Learning
Track & Manage Your Medications: Pillboxie
Pillboxie is a visual pill management app created by a nurse. It has a simple, large interface and allows you to:
- Set medication reminders
- Track which medications you have or have not taken
- Have multiple medication profiles
The multiple medication profiles feature is handy if a senior couple shares a device. They don’t have to work out who will use the app and who will manage medications the traditional way. This way, they can both get their own personalized medication reminder.
How It Can Help Seniors
Not all seniors need to be reminded to take their medication, but having a way to remember medications doesn’t hurt. Keeping track of what medications have or have not been taken can help prevent an accidental overdose or side effects from missing a dose.
Surf the Internet: Silver Surf
Silver Surf is a free web browser for the iPad that can be used as a replacement for the default Safari browser. Some features include:
- Text and screen enlargement
- Large navigation icons
- High contrast viewing
How It Can Help Seniors
Even on iPads, the default Safari browser can be too small for some seniors to use comfortably. With large icons and easy viewing, seniors don’t have to squint or ask for help to read or find a feature. For seniors who suffer from arthritis, the text and screen enlargement slider makes it easy to zoom in and out without having to use the “pinch” zoom feature that is standard on many devices.
Get Moving: Yoga for Seniors & Adults
Who says mobile devices can’t be used for exercise? This app for Apple devices is designed specifically for adults and seniors with limited mobility. It features live-action videos with an instructor for each yoga pose so you can follow along.
How It Can Help Seniors
Exercise is important to seniors, as it can help them retain flexibility and improve mood. Remaining inactive can have negative effects like reduced muscle mass and a higher risk of falling. Yoga is low-impact and easy on the body, which is good for seniors with joint problems.
Manage Your Finances: GoodBudget
GoodBudget is a free, secure personal finance app that is easy to use and stores all of your financial information in one place. The program can be used on your mobile device or computer and can help you:
- Create and manage budgets
- Track how their money is spent
- Organize bills
The initial app is free for Apple and Android, but if you want to upgrade to the plus edition to access additional “envelopes” and other expanded features, you will have to pay a monthly subscription fee. However, the choice to upgrade is optional and won’t affect app functionality.
How It Can Help Seniors
For seniors who want to keep track of their cash flow and budgets without connecting their bank account to the app or don’t have mobile banking, GoodBudget is a good choice. Like living at home, managing finances in assisted living is essential. By tracking how much they are spending, seniors can easily control their finances.
Learn more about assisted and independent senior living opportunities on our blog.
| With 133 years of experience, Bethesda has become a leader in senior care, offering independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing. To see if memory care is right for your family, tour any of our communities, including Bethesda Dilworth, Bethesda Southgate, and Bethesda Hawthorne Place. After meeting with our residents and highly trained staff, you will instantly feel at home. |
