Mobile applications designed for elderly care are here to stay. They offer a variety of features to maintain your health, safety, and well-being. These apps, from medical alerts and fall detection to brain games, make life easier for older users. And here at Idées d'initiés, we will show you the best ones.
Population aging is faster than at any time in history. It is estimated that by 2050, one in six people will be 65 years old or older. As we age, physical and cognitive challenges arise that require additional support. Fortunately, technological advances are transforming elderly care.
Elderly care apps
The market for mobile applications for elderly care is growing exponentially. As technology becomes more integrated into our lives, it also presents great opportunities to improve the quality of life for our seniors. These make it easier for them to live independently for as long as possible.
Ensuite, à Idées d'initiés, we present five excellent applications designed to meet the most common needs faced by older people. Caring for our elders is now easier than ever. Let’s see.
1. Lumosity: Brain Training
Lumosity is one of the most popular cognitive training applications on the market. With a base of more than 100 million users worldwide, this app offers daily gaming sessions. These games are designed to exercise and strengthen brain functions such as memory, concentration, mental flexibility, and processing speed.
The application has an intuitive interface that guides the user through the training sessions. Although the app is designed for any age, it is ideal for elderly care. It begins with a free 10-minute baseline assessment to determine baseline cognitive status in areas such as memory and attention.
With this baseline, the app adapts the exercises and their difficulty in a personalized way. Interactive activities and games include challenges in math, spatial logic, processing speed, short and long-term memory, language, and more. The application records the scores and performance in each game, detailing strengths and aspects to improve.
A significant benefit is Lumosity’s ability to slow age-related cognitive decline. Recent research has shown that its frequent use in older adults even helps to rebuild neuronal connections. Additionally, it may increase gray matter volume in key brain regions. Undoubtedly, it is one of the best apps for elderly care.
4.5/5
2. Medisafe Pill & Med Reminder
Medisafe is America’s leading, award-winning medication reminder and treatment tracking app. With millions of connected users, Medisafe helps control medication and not forget any doses, essential functions in elderly care.
The app sends personalized alarms and notifications when it is appropriate to take each medication. Includes support for complex dosing regimens and allows for adding vitamins or other supplements. It also has a comprehensive database of prescription and over-the-counter medications to select from.
Another essential function is the detection of interactions between drugs, analyzing possible adverse effects or contraindications between the user’s medications. Likewise, it has integration for wearable devices and the option to include “friends” who will receive alerts if we forget to take a dose.
Medisafe is the leading app to help older adults not forget any doses and treatments. Its friendly interface and complete functions make it an essential reminder. Keep total records and statistics with daily, weekly, or monthly reports. This information can be easily shared with doctors and caregivers.
4.6/5
3. BIG Launcher
BIG Launcher is an application that simplifies the use of smartphones and is aimed at older people and people with vision problems. Its interface has enormous buttons and icons, enlarged texts, high contrast, and three font sizes. It is another excellent app for elderly care.
Navigating the menu is intuitive, minimizing the possibility of errors that generate frustration. Among the main functions is to replace the standard Android interface with a more straightforward and easier-to-use one. Allows you to create shortcuts to the desired applications, contacts, websites, or widgets at the start.
It also incorporates a configurable SOS button to send alerts in emergency cases quickly. It supports screen readers like TalkBack for the visually impaired and works with keyboard control. In addition, it incorporates a suite of independent apps focused on specific needs.
Due to its senior user-centric design, friendly interface, extensive customization, and valuable functions, BIG Launcher is positioned as an excellent option. It simplifies the use of Android phones among older adults. It has earned a place in our selection.
4.2/5
4. Life360 : Partage de localisation en direct
Life360 is the leading app in family security and location, with more than 100 million users in the world. It allows you to share the phone’s location in real-time with family and friends to be connected—a beneficial application for elderly care.
Among its primary functions is tracking the location of contacts and receiving alerts when they arrive or leave certain predefined areas. It also detects traffic accidents and offers instant assistance.
Life360 goes beyond simple monitoring with a comprehensive approach. It includes identity theft protection, disaster response, international medical support, and other advanced security features. They recently added integration with Tile Bluetooth locators to find lost items quickly.
Life360 has become the ideal solution for many elderly care users. Its advanced technology provides the peace of mind that our loved ones are protected.
4.6/5
5. Instant Heart Rate: HR Monitor
Instant Heart Rate is one of the most accurate apps to measure heart rate. Use your phone’s camera flash to detect beats per minute (BPM) in less than 10 seconds.
With more than 35 million users worldwide, Instant Heart Rate has been validated by research from Stanford University. It is used in clinical cardiological studies and does not require chest bands or accessories. The app displays a real-time heart rate graph, similar to an electrocardiogram.
It also detects the frequency at rest and allows physical training monitoring to optimize the cardiovascular zone. It also incorporates different frequency zones depending on the activity: at rest, fat burning, aerobic exercise, and maximum peak. Data can automatically sync with health platforms like Google Fit.
With an accuracy of over 90% confirmed by independent studies, and a straightforward interface, Instant Heart Rate has become the best option in a personal heart monitoring mobile app for older adults.
3.7/5
Benefits of these apps for healthy aging
The use of mobile applications for elderly care is proving to have significant benefits in promoting healthy physical and mental aging.
On the physical side, real-time monitoring of vital signs makes detecting irregularities and preventing complications possible. They also make it possible to record medications taken to improve adherence to medical treatments.
As for mental well-being, brain training apps with stimulating games help maintain good cognitive health. It also slows down age-related deterioration.
Family pagers with panic buttons and fall detectors give peace of mind to older adults who live alone. Also, to their families and caregivers, improving the quality of life of everyone involved.
These well-designed technological applications are an excellent alternative to preserve capabilities, reduce risks, lead an active lifestyle, and prolong autonomy during old age.
Recommendations for use and safety
When recommending mobile applications for elderly care, you must consider the ease of use and accessibility of the interfaces. They should be intuitive, with large icons, easy-to-touch buttons, and readable text. You should also check that they are compatible with screen readers for users with limited vision.
It is advisable to guide older adults in the first uses, setting alarms, reminders, and other settings to avoid confusion. Also, teach them to use emergency functions such as the SOS buttons in case of any problem.
Ideally, you can complement the apps with physical monitoring bracelets to have more precise measurements of vital signs. To the extent possible, link the applications to family profiles so caregivers or relatives can monitor remotely if necessary.
By following these recommendations, older adults can take advantage of all the benefits of these elderly care mobile applications.
Applications and their leading role in elderly care
The innovations presented in this article demonstrate the potential of mobile applications to simplify and improve the quality of life of people during their old age. From proactive monitoring to remote support, technologies are increasingly influential in preventing and detecting problems. Always with a friendly and straightforward approach.
With features that reduce risk, extend autonomy, and connect emotionally, mobile apps for elderly care will continue to evolve. In this context, they will soon become central in any family care strategy during the golden years.
We hope that this review has been helpful to you to view and learn about these very beneficial apps. They are free, so you can try them without spending a dime. At Idées d'initiés, we invite you to learn more about technology innovations in the following post: Reach Serenity Now with the Headspace Sleep & Meditation App
