Mobile apps to make life easier for seniors
People have become experts at logging into locations with the government’s Covid-19 tracer app. But there are plenty of other great apps to explore, many ideal for seniors. Here are five to check out.
SuperGoldNZ
The SuperGold app, by the Ministry of Social Development, is the easy way for cardholders to find discounts and offers near their home or when travelling in New Zealand. You can find all sorts of ways to save on everyday essentials like food, fuel, travel, retail and healthcare. This can be done using a map to see which SuperGold partners are near you, or you can explore by category or using keywords.
Medisafe
The Medisafe app – full name ‘‘Pill Reminder and Medication Tracker by Medisafe’’ – helps ensure you never miss your medication times. You can also use the app to help manage other people’s medication regimens, thanks to the ability to have multiple profiles. It can track your prescriptions and remind you when it’s time for a refill, too. With the Medfriend feature, you have the option of syncing your app with someone else’s, like a family member’s. If you miss a dosage and don’t respond to alerts, your Medfriend will also receive notifications.
Lumosity
There are hundreds of braintraining apps that claim to provide cognitive improvement with minimal daily use. One of the most popular is Lumosity. Lumosity is split into sessions of three games tailored to your goals: memory, attention, problem solving, processing speed or flexibility of thinking. The games are played against the clock and change every time. Developers say just one session a day can improve mental skills.
Mycare
Mycare helps you get help at home by connecting people seeking support with those offering home-based services. This includes disability support, injury support and general support for seniors. Users set up a profile then search locally before booking visits with available helpers. You can also keep track of activities with helpers and make payments. All workers are pre-approved with a Ministry of Justice or NZ Police criminal history check.
Older users have been fuelling much of Facebook’s growth in recent years, so seniors should feel increasingly at home. The app has everything there is in the desktop version, meaning it’s a great way to keep up with friends and family by sharing photos and thoughts, to learn about current events, and to follow local businesses so you never miss a special. There are lots of special interest groups to join too.
Other apps
Uber and the like have revolutionised taxi services – just open the app, enter where you want to go, and a nearby driver will help you get there.
Uber Eats is another option, bringing restaurant food to your door, but check if the eatery delivers, first.
For video calls with loved ones in far-off places, Skype, Messenger, Zoom and the like are great.