Senior Technology Archives - Washington Home Care Association

We typically don’t think of seniors as users of cutting-edge mobile apps, but according to research, more seniors use smartphones than ever before. And as the rest of us age, this number will only increase. With that in mind, we’ve collected our thirteen favorite mobile apps that can help keep your aging relatives social, safe, and happy.

1. Pandora/iHeart Radio

One of the best things about our smartphones is the music. There are plenty of popular applications (like Pandora or the iHeart Radio Network) that your aging relatives might enjoy. Install it on their phones and help them pick out a few channels of their favorites.

2. Skype

What better way to stay connected than Skype for mobile? This is a great app to include for general video chatting or staying in contact with the tech-obsessed grandkids.

3. WebMD

Yep, WebMD has an app! It comes with plenty of handy features, including a symptom checker and database of information that your relatives can access on the go.

4. Pillboxie

Medication reminders are one of the best uses of smartphone tech for seniors. Consider an app like Pillboxie. Not only is it convenient, but it can provide life-saving reminders for seniors who struggle to maintain a stable medication schedule.

5. Find my iPhone

Does your relative misplace items frequently? If so, the Find my iPhone app is a great tool. Just sign up and you can easily track the location of a lost iPhone, perfect for those who struggle with short-term memory loss.

6. Mint

Mint is one of the easiest financial tracking tools out there. You don’t need to be a tech wizard to understand it, and the app comes with plenty of features to automatically manage finances and provide visibility into spending.

7. Kindle App or iBooks

If your relative is an avid reader, try introducing them to eBooks! Kindle, or apps like iBooks, are great ways to find new reading material. They also contain helpful screen adjustment features to increase text size for those who struggle with small print.

8. Blood Pressure Monitoring

Apps like the iCare Health Monitor let users monitor their blood pressure via mobile device. While these tools don’t replace a trip to the doctor, they’re becoming surprisingly accurate and can be great ways to monitor your condition over time.

9. Netflix

There’s something for everyone on Netflix. Help them cut the cord and ditch that expensive cable package.

10. AARP Now App

The AARP Now app is a good way to stay up-to-date with trending AARP news, local events, and policy updates. If your relative is a member, this one is worth a look.

11. Senior Savings

This great app collects information from nearby restaurants, businesses, and stores that offer senior discounts. It’s a handy tool that can add up to big savings in the long run. If your relative is still active in the community, this one’s a must-have.

12. GoodRX

With healthcare costs increasing, every little bit helps. GoodRX is a helpful tool that compares medication prices across businesses and even offers coupons to help bring down prescription prices.

13. Red Panic Button

Remember Life Alert? This application is the same thing, giving users a quick way to call for help at the click of a button. As long as your relative can reach his/her phone, they’ll always have a way to get assistance.

Integrating Apps Into Home Care

Apps don’t replace the need for home care—but they’re great supplementary tools to help you manage your relative’s schedule and keep them safe. Work with your relatives and home care providers to discuss bringing these tools into your home care plan.

My grandmother was one of the toughest people I knew. With 40 years’ experience as a park ranger under her belt and an accomplished mother of six, she was an independent woman who never needed to rely on anyone. This was one of my favorite things about her—until she grew too old to take care of herself.

You see, my grandmother lived alone in a small house across town from my parents. My father would make special trips up to her house every few days to check on her and make sure she was okay, but even in her old age, she was never amenable to the idea of someone else taking care of her.

One day, my parents called me over with a grim look on their faces. Grandma was in the hospital.

The previous evening (and just hours after my dad had checked on her) she had tripped, fallen, and broken her hip—far away from her landline phone. She spent the night and the following day on the floor in pain before we could help.

This is one of the biggest challenges of caring for elderly family members. There’s a point in time when they lose their ability to safely take care of themselves yet retain enough of their independence to reject the idea of hiring home care agencies or living in a care facility.

In tricky situations like these, technology can be the answer.

At-Home Safety Devices

If your elderly family member is struggling to manage his/her personal care but refuses to accept the idea of assistance, equipping them with home care technology can be a great middle ground. And fortunately, there are plenty of these devices on the market these days. Here are just a few choices that may be appropriate, depending on your family member’s level of independence and personal needs:

Motion sensor lighting: Even us younger folks tend to stumble around in the dark trying to find light switches. Motion lights offer an easy way to guarantee that your loved ones don’t have to struggle to turn lights on and off.

Pill dispensers: Particularly for those struggling with Alzheimer’s or general memory loss, automated pill dispensers are a great way to guarantee that the right medications are dispensed at the right time. They can even send out alerts to let you know if a dosage is missed.

Location tracking devices: We’ve all heard horror stories of people with dementia getting lost outside and losing track of their surroundings. Wearable location tracking devices can help address issues like these.

Health and activity monitor: For more general health monitoring, activity monitors (akin to FitBits) can provide information on sleep patterns, energy expended each day, and more.

Emergency response systems: The ability to call for help is critical in keeping loved ones safe. Wearable emergency response devices can be worn around the neck or hooked to clothing to give seniors an easy way to call for help should an accident occur.

Mobility-friendly rooms: It’s important to give your family members the means to keep themselves safe, even without technology. Consider installing handrails around the house, equipping their homes with walk-in showers with handholds, and generally keeping the floor clear of clutter that they may trip over.

Always Maintain Contact, Regardless of Technology

While several of these tools could have helped my grandmother in the above scenario, even the best home care technology can’t prevent every accident. It’s critical to maintain contact with your elderly loved ones, particularly if they’ve struggled with self-care in the past. While hiring home care agencies may be inevitable at a certain point, the right combination of home care technology and personal contact can guarantee that your members stay safe, secure, and happy as they grow older.

Our Favorite Mobile Apps for Seniors