Nine Reasons every Senior Citizen must have a Smartphone or Tablet
When it comes to the mental and physical health of our senior citizens, smartphones and tablets are providing crucial support and comfort. It is a fact that being mobile and having easy and quick access to important applications is becoming a way of life for not only the young but for the elderly and their caretakers.
About three-quarters of U.S. adults (77%) say they own a smartphone, up from 35% in 2011, making the smartphone one of the most quickly adoptedconsumer technologies in recent history. For example, 92% of 18- to 29-year-olds say they own a smartphone, compared with 42% of those who are ages 65 and older.
Still, adoption rates have risen rapidly among older and lower-income Americans in recent years. From 2013 to 2016, the share of adults 65 and older who report owning a smartphone has risen 24 percentage points (from 18% to 42%).
Here are 9 important mobile app features that are helping our seniors stay safe and sound.
Smartphones and tablets can need help in the event of an emergency. Most smartphones nowadays have Emergency Contact Information right on the phone. The ICE app and Bugle app are two excellent apps that inform loved ones in case an elderly family member is incapacitated.
There are fantastic mobile apps that can improve the mental health, agility and memory capacity of our elderly. From the very popular Luminosity app to other memory trivia games, there are applications that are specifically designed to improve a senior’s cognitive capabilities.
The precise assessment and documentation of wounds is a crucial element to a comprehensive plan of care. That is why digital photography is such an integral part of healing and diagnosing a wound. PointClickCare is a superb app that enhances the reliability and accuracy of wound documentation.
Calendar apps on smartphones and tablets can specifically be used for keeping track of appointments, entertainment, respite care and other engagements concerning a senior citizen. Cozi and Google calendar are great calendar apps, which keep our elderly organized.
Keeping ourselves fit and strong is fun when you are young and essential when you grow older. To keep our elderly parents and patients healthy, there are apps like Pocket Yoga, Asana Rebel, Trainiac that really can help in their pursuit of healthy aging.
Video-chat apps are essential in helping our senior citizens stay connected with their friends and family from across the globe. From, Facetime, Skype, to Google Hangouts, digital video chats are helping keep families and loved ones connected.
Having face to face meetings with doctors and caretakers, while also having the ability to send in real time medical information, is an important feature for our elderly. Apps like the Health App on iPhone and iOS are fantastic and easy to use.
A solid navigation app offers turn-by-turn directions, important traffic updates, and road maps to where we need to go. For the elderly, who need to stay safe and protected on the road, some excellent navigation are -Apple Maps, Google Maps, and Waze.
Is there a better way to keep family members interconnected than with a photo app? Pictures tell a thousand stories and our elderly can enjoy these photos anytime and anywhere. The apps- Google Photos, Apple Photos, help keep our elderly in contact with those they love.
As more technology devices are being released, and the technology for them improved, we are always on the lookout the search to find new and interesting ways to help our aging seniors. Our goal is to enable all seniors the security and knowledge so they can enjoy this wonderful technology safely.
