Maintaining your independence doesn't mean you have to do it all alone. Using digital apps on your phone or tablet can give you a little extra support to help you stay safe and keep up with your independent lifestyle. Consider these types of apps.
Falls are a concern for older adults. If you live on your own, you might have trouble calling for help if you fall. Installing a fall detection app on your phone or smartwatch can help you signal for assistance if needed.
Each app works differently, but you typically add an emergency contact when you set it up. If the app detects a fall, it might automatically notify your emergency contacts or pop up a button you can press to alert them. FallSafety Home, FallCall Detect and uFallAlert are examples of this type of app for older adults.
Another way to stay safe is with check-in apps like Snug Safety. When you download the app, it prompts you to enter your emergency contacts. Each day, the app asks you to check in by pressing a green button. If you don't press the button, the app sends a message to your emergency contacts so they can follow up with you.
Magnifying Glass and Magnifier are examples of phone apps that magnify text or images to help you see them better. With age, people often lose vision or have difficulty reading small print. Using apps like these helps you read things more clearly, which can make life easier. But it can also help with your safety when it comes to reading medication directions or other important information. Being able to read the dosing information and product warnings can help you take it safely.
There are also apps where other people can help you see better. One example is Be My Eyes, which uses your phone's camera and a network of volunteers to help you know what's in front of you. A volunteer can see what you see through your phone's camera. They can then talk to you to help you understand or navigate whatever it is.
Keeping on top of your health is a big part of maintaining your independence. Regular visits with your health care providers, taking medication properly and keeping on top of your symptoms all go into staying healthy and being able to live alone. Apps that help you manage those medical needs can support that.
For example, Medisafe, Pill Reminder Pro and other medication apps give you reminders so you don't forget any of your prescriptions. They also offer medication tracking features. You can download apps that help you track your vitals as well. SmartBP lets you track your blood pressure, while Pain Care helps you log different pains you feel for easy reference when you see your doctor.
Medical alert pendants are popular with older adults, but you can also use your phone similarly by installing various medical alert apps. With Rescu, you simply tap twice to contact emergency services. It has GPS integrated into the app so first responders know how to find you.
You can also get apps like Medical ID, which displays important medical information that's accessible from your lock screen. This lets first responders have key information about you, such as allergies or medical conditions.
Cognitive sharpness can help you remain independent longer. You can find several brain training apps designed to keep your mind sharp, often through game-like activities. One option is Lumosity, which offers a wide range of activities that help with memory, flexibility, problem-solving and other cognitive skills. These types of apps can also help keep you engaged so you don't feel bored or lonely.
Having a tracking app like Life360 on your phone makes it easier for your loved ones to know where you are. This can be helpful if you sometimes get lost or have some memory issues that could cause you to get confused. Additionally, you can keep track of your partner or other loved ones if they also share their location with you.
Navigation apps like Google Maps can also be helpful if you drive yourself places. You can enter your destination and get step-by-step directions as you drive to get you where you're going safely.
Whether or not you still have your license, you might not feel comfortable driving yourself. Some older adults have difficulty seeing well at night. You might be able to catch a ride with a friend, but for other times, having a rideshare app like Uber or Lyft on your phone can help you get where you need to go. These apps let you summon a ride when you need it and pay the driver. You might use these services to get you to your scheduled doctor's appointments to ensure you're keeping up with your health.
Good mental health helps you maintain your independence. Loneliness, anxiety and other emotions can have a negative impact on you. Many apps help ease anxiety, keep you calm or improve your mood. Examples include Calm, Happify, Headspace and Mindshift. You can also download apps like Talkspace and BetterHelp that connect you with therapists virtually.
