5 Health Apps for Seniors

It can be difficult for seniors to keep up to date with the prescription drugs they take, doctor appointments, symptoms, and their general well-being. With memory issues posing an additional challenge, more seniors and caregivers are turning toward smartphone apps to make life easier to manage. An increasing number of seniors are using smartphones, and a third of all adults 50 and older are using smartphones for health information.

Numerous applications are now available to help guide seniors in various aspects of their health, including information and management. These apps not only help seniors keep up to date with their own health, but they also serve as a tool for caregivers to make sure seniors are getting what they need.

Here are five applications that can make life easier for seniors and caregivers.

1. Caring Village

Caring Village is an iOS and Android app that is an all-in-one communication, planning, and reminder tool. Seniors and caregivers can create a “village” to communicate with one another and coordinate care. A customizable calendar allows users to coordinate schedules, track appointments, create to-do lists, and distribute tasks and responsibilities. For example, if a senior needs help to get to an appointment or completing a task, the village members can communicate and compare schedules to see who is available for assistance.

The app also includes notifications, reminders, and alerts so important tasks and appointments are never missed. It brings much more convenience to the lives of seniors and their caregivers.

2. Life360

Life360 is an iOS and Android app designed to stay connected with family. Seniors can create private groups of their caregivers and exchange real-time location information at any time, or through alerts when a user leaves or arrives at pre-set locations. This feature makes it an ideal app for seniors with Alzheimer’s in case they wander from home.

Group members can also chat with one another right through the app. The app also includes a Driver Care Support feature that will connect a user to a live representative over the phone. The representative has access to the user’s location and can deploy emergency assistance in the event of vehicle breakdowns, collisions, or a health emergency.

3. Medisafe

Seniors commonly take several different prescription medications, and managing these various medications can be a challenge. Medisafe is a medication tracker and reminder app available for iOS and Android. The app has a database of medications, making it easy for users to select their specific medication and dosage. Once a user selects the dosing schedule, the app will remind a user when it is time for the medication to be taken. A user then marks the medication as taken, eliminating the uncertainty they may have about when their last dose was taken.

The app also has prescription refill reminders, as well as a built-in drug interaction checker to inform users of potential interactions. The app also includes health measurement tracking, and can generate daily, weekly, and monthly reports to share with caregivers and doctors.

4. WebMD

The WebMD app is available on iOS and Android, and makes it possible for seniors and caregivers to view information quickly on many different health conditions. The app allows a user to look up a symptom or a specific health condition, and provides relevant information on that specific issue. This can help seniors find out what the common symptoms are for an existing health condition, or determine the severity of a new symptom they might be experiencing.

The app also has first aid information for certain emergencies, provides prescription medication discounts, and has a medication reminder feature. A doctor directory is also available for users to find nearby doctors or specialists based on a location search.

5. Blood Pressure Diary

Tracking blood pressure is a common task directed by doctors for people of all ages who may experience fluctuations in their blood pressure. Tracking blood pressure is especially important for seniors who may be more vulnerable to harmful effects of too high or too low blood pressure.

The Blood Pressure Diary app available on Android provides a simple way for users to input their blood pressure. Users can easily input the results from their home blood pressure monitor, and provide tags such as the cuff location, seating position, and more. The app then logs the reading in an easy to follow chart or graph that can be shown to a doctor.

Senior living comes with its struggles, but using technology can make life more convenient. Using a simple app can make menial tasks faster and easier, giving seniors and caregivers more time to focus on more important parts of life.