Seniors are rapidly adopting new technologies. According to AARP’s 2024 Tech Trends report, 89% of older adults own smartphones.
Seniors who live alone can use their smartphones to stay in touch with family and friends, keep themselves informed and entertained and take care of their health.
Here are 15 must-have apps for seniors living alone to keep them connected, informed and entertained.
1. To Do Reminder With Alarm
Used For: To set all kinds of reminders
Forgetfulness can be a normal part of aging and it can be difficult to remember things as you age.
There are plenty of Reminder apps but To Do Reminder With Alarm is the most popular.
This app enables you to set all types of reminders like drink water or take medications on time. Set important dates in your reminders to never miss a birthday or anniversary of your loved ones.
Get To Do Reminder With Alarm Andriod | iOS
2. My Therapy
Used For: The only pill reminder app you will ever need
One of the must-have apps for seniors living alone is a medication reminder app. According to surveys, 90% of older adults take at least one prescription drug regularly while around 80% of seniors take at least 2 prescription drugs.
It is common for older adults to forget to take medicines at the right times causing them to skip dosages.
My Therapy is an award-winning pill reminder and medication tracker app that reminds you to take the right doses of medicine at the right time.
3. Snug Safety
Used For: Daily check-in app for seniors
It is a free daily check-in app for seniors. Snug check-ins on you every morning or selected time. You receive a quote of the day once you press the big green check mark.
If you do not respond to the daily check-in, a snug dispatcher will call to check on you. In case of no response, your emergency contact will be notified and emergency services will be called to check on you.
Snug Safety is a popular app for seniors living alone who have medical conditions like diabetes and heart disease or stroke history. It is a useful app for family members to monitor their elderly loved ones.
Related Article: The complete tutorial on Snug Safety for seniors
4. Ada – Check Your Health
Used For: Fast access to medical information
Ada is the most popular symptoms check app developed and trained by a team of doctors to think and act like doctors.
The process is simple. You answer some simple questions about health and symptoms and receive a personalized assessment report with what could go wrong and what to do next.
Some of the common medical conditions and symptoms that seniors search on Ada include.
- Fever, headache
- Nausea, vomiting, dizziness
- Abdominal pain, loss of appetite
- Common cold, influenza infection
- Covid-19
- Diabetes
- Chronic pain
- Anxiety and depression
You can get help for sleeping problems, skin conditions, or eye infections.
Get Ada – Check Your Health Andriod | iOS
5. Better Sleep
Used For: Sleep better, feel better
If you are looking for a sleep app, you cannot get anything better than Better Sleep. The users love this app so much that it has been named “App of the Day” over 65 times by Apple.
It is “The most positively reviewed app in the history of the Apple Store” according to Business Insider.
Better Sleeps helps you sleep better and understand, track and improve your sleep with an easy-to-use sleep tracker, sleep recorder, amazing sleep sounds, stories and soothing guided meditation.
Get Better Sleep Android | iOS
6. Magnifying Glass + Flashlight
Used For: To read the smallest text on prescription bottles & restaurant menus, etc
Low vision is a common problem among older adults, making it hard to read the small prints on restaurant menus, prescription bottles, and serial numbers on a device etc
This is a simple and easy-to-use magnifying glass app with a flashlight that handles all your fine print reading needs.
This is one of the must-have apps for the elderly living alone if they are suffering from vision decline.
Get Magnifying Glass + Flashlight Android | iOS
7. Ten Percent Happier
Used For: Meditation app to unlock more happiness
If you want to sleep better, be more mindful, improve your relationships and become happier and more satisfied with your life, this is an ideal app for you.
This app is the 2018 Apple award winner and featured in The New York Times, The Daily Show, Good Morning America and The Washington Post.
Ten Percent Happier has guided meditations, talks, and videos
- 500+ guided meditations on topics ranging from anxiety to focus
- A sleep section with relaxing meditations to make it easy to sleep
- Quotes, stories, wisdom, and inspirations for mindfulness
Ten Percent Happier is ideal for the elderly struggling with loneliness and boredom and helps you relieve stress, practice gratitude and live in the moment.
Get Ten Percent Happier Android | iOS
8. Rescu
Used For: To get help from emergency services, with two taps
Rescu app solves a specific problem for the deaf and hard of hearing by getting them help in case of emergency without talking to 911.
Seniors can suffer falls and it can be difficult for them to communicate with emergency services. Rescu can be a lifesaver in case of emergency for many older adults.
- Connects you directly to police, medical or fire dispatch. You can get help for yourself or your family member
- Rescu can automatically alert your emergency contacts. You can save unlimited emergency contacts
- You only need to select the service you need and address. You can save up to 4 addresses for faster response
- Send an ambulance, police or fire services to any address without saying a word
You can use the app anytime and anywhere as it has GPS service to determine your current location. Rescu can be a lifesaver for the deaf, hard of hearing and other seniors and allows you to get help without any explanation or talking.
9. Be My Eyes
Used For: Global community helping visually impaired individuals
Be My Eyes is a useful app for seniors living alone who have a visual impairment. The app connects seniors with low vision with a global community of volunteers to get help at a moment’s notice.
The community is ready to help 24/7 in more than 185 languages.
- Sign up for free visual support in minutes
- Get help with reading small prints, matching clothes, technology help, setting up home appliances or any other simple task
- The average wait time is only 15 seconds and you get help on video calls
If you need help with reading product labels or navigating the TV, operating vending machines or kiosks, this app is a must-have.
With 3 million volunteers, Be My Eyes is the biggest community to help visually impaired individuals.
10. Words With Friends
Used For: Seniors' favorite game
Social isolation can cause anxiety and depression among seniors living alone. It is common for the elderly to become lonely and bored.
Mobile games are not only great for entertainment purposes but also help to keep the minds sharp.
Seniors love word games and Words With Friends is a perfect choice to train your brain, beat boredom and have a fun time.
Get Words With Friends Android | iOS
Read More: Best Android games | iPad games for seniors | Best iPhone games
11. A Rideshare App
Used For: Get a rideshare (Uber/Lyft) on your doorsteps in minutes
Although some seniors continue to drive later in life, it can be unsafe to drive if you have low vision or a decline in strength and memory.
You can use ride-sharing services to avoid relying on others for your travel.
Ride-sharing services have many advantages over traditional taxis and public transport. You can call Uber or Lyft from your mobile app and it will show on your doorstep.
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12. A Communication App
Used For: Staying connected with family and friends
It is important for seniors to stay connected with family and friends and technology makes it easy to keep in touch with your loved ones.
The communication apps can be used to make video calls and share family photos and videos so they do not miss any important family events.
- WhatsApp: Used for messaging, voice/ video calls, sharing photos and videos. Use WhatsApp Groups to build communities.
- Skype: High-quality video calls
- Facebook Messenger: Stay connected with family and friends and more ways to express yourself.
- FaceTime: Best video calling app for Apple users.
You can use any other communication app as you like. The main idea is to stay connected with family and friends.
Read More: Best apps for grandparents and grandchildren
13. Social Media Apps
Used For: Staying in touch with family & friends. Follow favorite celebrities and interests. Remain informed and entertained.
You can use social media services to not only stay in touch with your family and friends but also follow their activities and remain up to date with what is going on in their lives.
Stay connected with your school and college friends or follow your favorite celebrities on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.
Social media sites also bring unlimited entertainment opportunities. YouTube, Facebook and Instagram videos keep you informed and entertained.
Some of the most used social media apps for seniors living alone are:
- YouTube
There are many other social networking services and forums that seniors use to socialize online.
14. Entertainment Apps
Used For: Streaming services, podcasts, eBooks, Games and Puzzles
One of the best uses of technology is to remain entertained by accessing entertainment opportunities on your gadgets.
You do not need to rely on TVs and wait to watch your favorite shows at set times. You can play games, watch shows and movies, or listen to whenever you want.
Some of the best apps to keep yourself entertained are
- Streaming Services (Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, Hulu)
- Podcasts Apps (Audible, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify) link to favourite podcasts for seniors article
- Games and Puzzles (Word games, Trivia, Solitaire, Jigsaw and Sudoku puzzles)
Some seniors like reading eBooks while others love their favorite podcasts or watching movies and documentaries.
15. Workout Apps
Used For: Keeping yourself physically active
Lastly, one of the must-have apps for seniors living alone is a workout app.
CDC recommends at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity for older adults aged 65 and older.
There are many workout apps for seniors who want guided workout sessions at home. You do not need any equipment and follow a workout schedule at your home.
2 best workout apps for seniors are:
There is a workout app for every type of exercise. The idea is to keep yourself active and moving and follow a workout routine.
Read More: Best exercise apps for seniors
All of the apps in this list have high ratings and great reviews by older adults who use them regularly.
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Sohail Ahmed
I love helping seniors with technology. This blog features apps, games, gadgets, technology tips, and tutorials for older adults … Know More