From memory loss to poor physical fitness, aging comes with a host of health challenges. These challenges can inhibit the ability of elderly loved ones to function on their own in a healthy way.
In addition to medical care from qualified professionals, there are many technological tricks you can implement to ensure that aging 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-stimulating apps
Some of the most common challenges of aging include deteriorating memory and other mental faculties. When one’s memory starts to decline, his or her mind is not as sharp as it needs to be to go through normal day-to-day activities. You can help an aging loved one stay sharp and make the most of their focus by using memory and focus training apps.
Lumosity and Cognifit Test & Brain Games are two great options. Both the apps are feature-rich and packed with games of varying complexity with an aim to keep the players active and sharp. The features are great especially for elders and are tailored to each person’s profile with the option to track progress. Feel free to pick more apps from this great list of brain-training apps to develop a sharper mind.
2. Get a Medicine Reminder App for Elders
Whether your loved one takes medication for an illness or supplements to keep them in top shape, the forgetfulness that often accompanies aging can affect their ability to take their medications on time.
Solution is a medicine reminder app. The aptly named Pill Reminder App and MediSafe are two popular options for iOS devices. Meanwhile, Dosecast, My Therapy Pill Reminder & Alarm & Pill Reminder are popular options for Android.
3. Access health resources online
There is a wealth of useful online resources that can enhance the health information seniors receive from their healthcare providers. Although the information you find online should not be treated as qualified medical advice, it represents an incredibly useful resource for staying informed about important health tips.
If you prefer to interact directly with medical personnel, 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 give you insight into what’s going on in their lives.
4. Order online grocery & food delivery
Senior citizens may not be able to safely cross multiple physical stores for 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 varies from place to place, the big players like the following are good options with broad coverage, especially within North American cities.
5. Use Location Sharing and Smart Trackers to Keep Track
If you have elderly relatives who are at risk of getting lost or wandering off, ask them to share the location of their smartphone or a GPS-enabled fitness tracker like the Apple Watch. The Find My app and other similar friend-finding apps on iOS can give you peace of mind as you will be able to see where your loved one is in real time.
In the meantime, if they have a tendency to lose 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 tagged items almost anywhere in the world.
AirTags are small enough that they can fit in a bag, wallet, keychain, or any other item your elderly relative carries frequently.
6. Introduce Elderly Loved Ones to Virtual Reality
VR is an under-utilized technology in the field of elderly care. Its comprehensive nature means you can help your elderly loved one “virtually” participate in activities they might not otherwise be able to participate in safely. Think of those fishing, driving, or high-intensity activities they may crave but are unable to do in the real world.
Virtual reality can bridge the gap and help older loved ones feel happy and fulfilled. Best of all, these activities will be almost as exciting as the real thing. It’s a great way to help someone participate in exercise, meditation, and other fun activities.