Offering an easy way to stay connected to family and friends while keeping us entertained and accomplish tasks, smartphones have become an integral party of our daily lives. Today’s smartphone users can shop online, listen to music, read a book, edit photos, or even learn a second language.
From tracking sleep to managing medications, health-conscious smartphone users are harnessing technology to help improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. This blog from The Bristal shares some useful health and wellness apps especially for seniors.
The apps we have chosen to feature (which are not endorsed by The Bristal) can be used on your smartphone on both IOS and Android.
Health and Wellness Apps for Your Smartphone
Whether you want to track your nutrition or exercise your mind, smartphone apps are easy to use to keep you in your best shape. From mental health to medication management, mobile applications can also help you alleviate stress and improve your mental capacity – all in the palm of your hand.
Diet and Exercise
Diet and exercise apps like MyFitnessPal offer a one-stop shop where you can track your goals, log exercise (including the ability to sync your activity tracker like a Fitbit or Apple Watch), and even get support through its community feature. If you’re eating out, this award-winning app features foods from hundreds of popular restaurants, too, making it even easier to count calories and keep track of your nutrition.
SilverSneakers GO is an app especially for older adults. Available for both Apple and Android devices, the app allows users to adjust the workout to suit their experience and level of fitness. Strength and walking programs are included in the app, and SilverSneakers members can schedule classes at participating fitness centers.
In addition to strengthening your muscles, activities like yoga can help ease stress, improve balance, and boost energy, according to research by Johns Hopkins University. One yoga app, Daily Yoga, offers targeted asanas in addition to routines geared toward weight loss and strengthening. Consult with your primary care provider before beginning any new exercise routines.
Mental Health
Self-care is an important part of maintaining your mental health. Apps like Calm help users lessen anxiety and improve their sleep patterns using guided meditations, breathing programs, and relaxing music.
The number of individuals seeking assistance for their mental health has risen significantly in recent years. While traditional in-office counseling is still an option, virtual therapy offers individuals greater freedom and flexibility to address their mental health needs. Talkspace and BetterHelp are two of the most popular virtual therapy apps that connect clients with licensed therapists either by text, phone, or video chat.
Related: 5 Scientifically-Proven Ways for Seniors to Relieve Stress
Research has linked game playing with healthier brains, so why not keep your mind sharp while having fun at the same time? One app, Lumosity, links science with entertainment. Scientists and game designers developed this app, which combines tasks to measure cognitive abilities with fun, and the resulting puzzles may help improve your brain health.
Medication Management
If you take multiple medications or supplements throughout the day, it can be difficult to remember which medication you need to take when. That’s where apps can help.
One medication management smartphone app is Medisafe. A robust application, Medisafe notifies you when it is time to take your medications, warns you about potential drug interactions, and reminds you when refills are needed.
Start Exploring More Senior Friendly Health and Fitness Apps
Please note, The Bristal is not endorsing any of these apps listed above. This list is just to help you start exploring your options in Apple Store or through Google Play. There are so many apps out there -- let us know what your favorite one is that we may have missed!
This blog was originally published on September 15, 2018 and updated in 2023.
