Best Digital Apps for Seniors
Depression, loneliness, short term memory loss, and lack of social activity are some of the struggles seniors are experiencing during this pandemic, on top of the other conditions that come with advancement in age. Phone and tablet apps have become key in providing health and wellness benefits that promote mental activity, cognitive wellbeing, social functioning, and quality of life. It is likely that there is an app or two that could make a senior or caregiver’s life easier. Here are several free apps that we think will be worth downloading:
MyTherapy
MyTherapy offers peace of mind to seniors and their caregivers when it comes to medication and other important reminders. The app can remind you to take medication, measurements, and to complete certain activities. The app's built-in reports and easy to use charts help health teams to better understand their patients' progress. In addition, family and friends can receive notifications for missed medication!
Dynseo STIM’Art - Brain Games
STIM’Art contains a collection of brain and memory games for seniors, which makes remembering things easier while improving observation skills. Enjoy the brain workout anytime and anywhere, without the need for Wi-Fi. It improves mental skills by exercising memory and enhancing brain concentration, reinforcing mental agility, boosting decision making capabilities, and improving the overall well being in everyday life for seniors. The brain teaser activities are easy and simple to suit everyone. Play on your own or with others.
Alz Calls
If you have a loved one with Alzheimer’s they may benefit from hearing a family member’s voice. Perhaps they ask for their family repeatedly, or have difficulty transitioning to a new environment—this might be the tool for them. Record a family member’s voice for live interactive conversation with the recordings. You can upload pictures for better recognition. Learn more about Alz Calls here.
Libby
Access audiobooks and eBooks in the comfort of your home at no-cost and with no ads! Since this app works with many library systems across Canada, all you need is a library card to access thousands of published works. When listening to audiobooks, you can increase or decrease the playback speed, and rewind or skip ahead. When reading eBooks, you can increase the type size, change the font, background colour, and increase the line spacing for easier reading. You can borrow and reserve books right in the app – no need to visit your library’s website.
Dementia Advisor
Caring for a family member with dementia? Dementia Advisor is a scenario-based training app that helps to improve your communication, problem solving skills, build resilience, and reduce stress. Learn how to manage difficult behaviours, deal with refusal, deal with family tension, manage work-life demands and access.
Totally Free Jigsaw Puzzles
Thousands of beautiful and interesting puzzles to try in many different categories. This app allows seniors to take as long as they want to work on these puzzles with no pressure or timer. You can easily mark their favourite puzzles to work on them later or again. For easy relaxation they can play puzzles with the piece count they like from 6 pieces to 108 pieces. Progress is saved automatically all the time, so you can pick up right where you left off. Good exercise for the brain.
Elevate Brain Training
Elevate was designed with input from experts in neuroscience and cognitive learning to improve cognitive skills and increase confidence. Everyone can benefit from improving their cognitive functions such as memory, processing, precision, and comprehension, but it is particularly important for a person with dementia. Choose from 35-plus games and activities available.
Flower Garden Free
This is an excellent hobby for seniors who love gardening but cannot spend hours outdoors. Flower Garden lets users take care of virtual gardens from the comfort of their own homes. You will be able to plan out a garden plot, plant seeds, water the soil, and harvest the digital crop and send virtual bouquets to your family.