From memory lapses to poor physical condition, aging brings a host of health challenges. These challenges can impede the ability of older loved ones to function on their own in a healthy way.
In addition to medical care from qualified professionals, there are several technological tips you can apply to ensure that your elderly loved ones continue to live healthy and happy lives. Here are some great apps, devices, and resources to help your elderly loved ones stay healthy and safe.
1. Recommend brain boosting apps
Some of the most common challenges of aging include impairment of memory and other mental faculties. When someone’s memory begins to decline, their mind is not as sharp as it needs to be to carry out normal day-to-day activities. You can help your elderly loved ones stay sharp and keep much of their concentration by using memory and concentration training apps.
Two great options are Lumosity and CogniFit Test and Brain Games. Both apps are packed with features and packed with games of varying complexities aimed at keeping gamers active and on their toes. The features are particularly good for seniors and are tailored to each individual’s profile with an option to track progress. Feel free to choose more apps from this largest list of brain training apps to develop a sharper mind.
Discharge: Brightness for Android | iOS (Free, subscription available)
Discharge: CogniFit and Brain Games test for Android | iOS (Free, subscription available)
2. Get the elderly a medication reminder app
Whether your loved one takes medication for an ailment or supplements to stay fit, the forgetfulness that often accompanies old age can affect their ability to take their medications on time.
The solution is a medication reminder app. The aptly named pill reminder application and MediSafe are two popular options for iOS devices. In the meantime, dose, Reminder of my therapeutic pillY alarm and pill reminder are popular choices for Android.
3. Take advantage of online health resources
There are plenty of helpful resources online that can augment the health information seniors get from their healthcare providers. While the information you obtain online should not be treated as qualified medical advice, it is still an incredibly useful resource for staying informed on important health advice.
Trustworthy websites for reliable medical information include the following:
If you prefer to have direct interaction with medical staff, here are some of the best health forums for expert support online. These resources can help seniors understand why they feel the way they do, and you’ll also have an informed view of what’s going on in their lives.
4. Set up food and grocery delivery online
Seniors may not be able to safely traverse multiple brick-and-mortar stores to buy groceries on their own. Even when they choose to shop online, it can be a bit tedious for them. Setting up an online grocery delivery service ensures that your loved ones have access to healthy food and can get their groceries when they need them.
Although the availability of online grocery delivery services differs from place to place, big players like the following are good options with wide coverage, especially in North American cities:
5. Use location sharing and smart trackers to keep track of loved ones and things
If you have elderly family members who are at risk of getting lost or prone to wandering, ask them to share the location of their smartphone or a GPS-enabled fitness tracker, like an Apple Watch. The Find My app on iOS and other similar apps for finding friends can give you peace of mind as you’ll be able to see where your loved one is in real time.
In the meantime, if they’re prone to losing their purse, wallet, or other important items, gift them an Apple AirTag or similar Bluetooth tracker. With just a $30 AirTag, you can take advantage of Apple’s impressive Find My network to track a tagged item almost anywhere in the world. AirTags are small enough to attach to a purse, wallet, key chain, or whatever your elderly relative carries frequently.
6. Introduce older loved ones to virtual reality
Virtual reality is an underutilized technology in the field of elderly care. Its immersive nature means you can help your elderly loved ones “virtually” participate in activities they might not otherwise be able to safely participate in. Think about those fishing, driving, or high-intensity activities you might be craving but can’t do in the real world.
Virtual reality can bridge the gap and help older loved ones feel happy and fulfilled. The best part is that these activities will be almost as stimulating as the real thing. It’s a great way to help someone engage in exercise, meditation, and other fun activities.
Social media may get a bad rap, but it’s still an important tool for helping people connect with friends and family. Maintaining close relationships can help older loved ones fend off the loneliness and depression that are all too common among older people. Facebook is still a great place to start, and some loved ones may also take an interest in creativity-focused sites like Pinterest.
Avoid social networking sites that have a disproportionate amount of toxicity, are overly argumentative, or may expose older people to any form of traumatic media. These could backfire and could have a serious effect on your health.
8. Install fitness apps to help seniors exercise safely
Staying physically active is essential for the overall health of older people. You may not always be there to guide them through the proper exercises, but technology could be a big help. However, not all types of exercises are suitable for seniors. Most seniors are better off doing low-intensity exercise with easy-to-execute routines.
Fitness for Seniors Y seated cardio apps are two good senior fitness apps for Android. Similarly, the over fifty fitness The app is a great option for iOS users. Feel free to check out this list of the best fitness apps for seniors to find what will work best for your loved ones.
9. Encourage the use of wearable fitness devices
Wearable devices like the Apple Watch and Google’s Fitbit aren’t just trendy tech for the young. They can be instrumental in helping older people live healthier and happier lives.
With features like a heart rate sensor, fall detection, blood oxygen level detection, a temperature sensor, and a host of workout apps, the Apple Watch Series 8 is an incredibly useful example of a tool to help seniors to keep abreast of their health information. An Apple Watch can help seniors prioritize their sleep and receive timely alerts about their health status, which they can also access or share with care providers when needed.
Help seniors get the care they deserve
Old age should not be plagued with limitations, especially when technology has provided us with the tools to make the most of this stage of life. While your elderly loved ones may need more support than before, helping them use health-related technology effectively can help them enjoy a full and healthy life with a little more independence, along with greater peace of mind for you.