Best Smartphone Apps for Seniors

If you find that you – and your neighbors at Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor – are on your smartphones more than ever before, you’re right. 

The AARP 2021 Tech Trends Report shows that smartphones are the top technology purchase among seniors, and that usage goes beyond keeping in touch with friends and family. Seniors are ordering groceries (24%), managing doctors’ appointments and prescriptions (40%), monitoring health and fitness (44%), conducting financial transactions (53%), and more. 

All you need is an app to get the job done. But which one is the right one for you? Take a look at the list below and start exploring. All of the following apps are free (unless otherwise noted) and available for both iPhone (iOS) and Android phones:

Health & Wellness Apps

• Medisafe — Medisafe helps to manage your medications. It can send reminders to make sure you take the right dose at the right time, as well as let you know if you need a refill. 
• GoodRx — If you’ve seen the ads for GoodRx, then you know that this app helps to compare prescription drug costs so that you can get the best price. 
• Abridge — Abridge can record your conversations with your doctor, so that you can remember everything that they said. The app provides a transcript, defines medical terms, and allows for sharing among caregivers. 
• Medical ID — This app allows you to create a medical profile including blood type, allergies, emergency contacts and more. A paid version adds GPS and other extra features. 
• ShopWell — Take healthy eating to the next level with this nutrition-based shopping list app. Choose the right foods for your special diet and look for new alternatives to old favorites. 
• Lumosity — This popular brain-training app can keep your mind sharp with scientifically proven exercises designed to improve problem solving, memory, attention, and other cognitive functions.

Lifestyle Apps

• Uber and Lyft — Got places to go and people to see? Download the Uber and Lyft apps to connect with these popular ridesharing services. You must insert your credit or debit card information to pay for the rides.
• Google Maps — Rather drive yourself? Google maps can show you the way to your destination, as well as remind you of where you parked. It’s like having your own personal navigator.
• Magnifying Glass + Flashlight — Make life easier on yourself with this free – and very practical – app. Read small print in any situation, and safely light your way in the dark.
• LastPass — LastPass is another useful app that stores the passwords for all of your different online accounts. It will remember your logins for websites, stores, and more. 
• Mint — This budgeting app can help keep your money under control by tracking account balances, bills, and daily spending. You will need to connect your banking accounts to the app.

Fun & Entertainment Apps

• Facebook Messenger — Keep in touch with friends and family via your Facebook account. Send texts and photos, arrange a group chat, set up a video call and so much more.
• Skype — If you have friends who aren’t on Facebook, Skype provides an alternative for video calling. You can also use Skype for regular phone calls. 
• AARP — AARP offers news, events, and members-only discounts and specials. If you belong to AARP, you can get a lot of value from this app.
• Words with Friends 2 — Here is a virtual Scrabble-like game that you can play with friends and family, without having to be in the same place. A paid version is also available.
• NPR — Enjoy your favorite NPR programming on your phone. Read the news, listen to national programs, and follow live streams from any local NPR station.
• Snapfish — Have photos on your phone that you want to print and share? The Snapfish app makes it easy to order individual prints, create photo books, design holiday cards, and more.  

There are thousands upon thousands of other apps available, both free and paid. If you’re a reader – like many of our residents at Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor – check out Audible, Amazon Kindle, or iBooks for audio book and e-book purchases. Love music? Try Spotify. You can also find discount shopping and dating apps just for seniors. 

Your smartphone can do more than you might have ever imagined. Download a new app today!