Today, seniors can live independently without the constant need to call upon someone else for their daily needs. There’s a wellspring of products, tools, and platforms geared towards helping people of advanced ages live easier and stay safe.
You don't have to be tech-savvy to be successful with technology anymore. That stigma of the fumbling senior citizen who can't wrap their head (or their fingers) around simple device control is dead. Gone are the days when pensioners feared the internet. Products and tools of this era are easier to use than you would imagine, intuitively-designed, user-friendly, and a cinch for old-timers to master.
Here are ten of the most useful online tools for seniors and services that seniors can use on a day-to-day basis to help them truly experience and enjoy their golden years.
1. Medical Alert Systems
Top medical alert systems allow older adults to engage in an active lifestyle without worrying about getting stranded. With a convenient medical alert bracelet, pendant or button, old-timers can go about their business, secure in the knowledge that help is only a click away. Medical alert systems are wearable assistive devices that you can use to trigger an alarm if you fall, become disoriented, or are hurt in any way. The alarm will automatically be sent to a monitoring center, and you'll be connected to a medical assistant right away.
Medical alert systems are available for both indoor use and going outside. For active senior living, there are cutting-edge features like hands-free GPS tracking, two-way audio, and long battery life.
If style is your concern, there are several fashionably designed medical alert systems today, so you can remain at the height of fashion while getting peace of mind.
2. Online Doctors
Too sick to leave the house? Got a cough that's not serious enough to call for help, but is still making you nervous? Need a prescription refill in a hurry? Online doctors are here to help! The best online doctors are the most convenient way for people to get medical advice and assistance today.
You can schedule appointments in minutes from your cell phone or computer. And best of all, you don't have to leave the house. The appointment is done over the internet, so you can speak to a board-certified medical professional directly from your computer or phone. Online doctors appointments are available 24/7. So, whenever there’s an issue, you can get assistance right away. Tele-healthcare or online doctors appointments require no health insurance. You can sign up for membership plans that offer unlimited doctors visits or pay one-off fees from time to time.
3. Phones for Seniors
One of the biggest concerns for the elderly is maintaining contact with the outside world. Fortunately, there are cell phones that are specifically designed to cater to the unique needs of those aging gracefully. These gadgets have features like an emergency call button, lightweight design, oversized keypad buttons, and hearing aid compatibility so that seniors with hearing difficulties will be able to hear more easily.
These top senior-friendly cell phones are easy to use, without all of the unnecessary features and hardware. They have shortcut keys for calling your top contacts, voice dialing, larger icons. But don’t think you’re missing out on the fun stuff as you age.
These cell phones also have plenty of fun extras if you want to use them; useful high tech features like music streaming, ability to play games, camera, internet access, and a photo library.
4. Health Websites
Staying healthy in mind and body is not just a great way to enjoy every minute of every year, but it can also extend those years further. From exercise apps to medical advice and beyond, online health and wellness websites abound. And as you get up there in years, you can utilize these online tools to make these the best years of your life.
Nutrition websites and apps offer nutrition coaching, helping seniors understand exactly what they should and shouldn't be eating for optimal health and better results. Exercise apps provide plenty of workout routines, fitness guidance, and interesting articles that will guide you towards the fittest body for more strength and energy. What's nice is that you can find exercise programs specifically-catering to senior workouts.
5. House Call Apps
Similar to online doctors visits, house call apps offer seniors a brilliant opportunity to sit one-on-one with expert medical professionals easily from the comfort of their own homes. Using video streaming technology, the elderly can have a virtual doctor "in" their house for a face-to-face consultation. And it's all done over the computer.
Top House call apps are truly amazing inventions. You can get everything from a standard checkup to blood tests, treatment, and medical advice almost instantly. The wait time can be as much as two hours with some services, but that's still a much more convenient solution than waiting for a doctor's appointment to open up with your local physician.
Plus, you don't have to leave the house. It's all done via video calling! Some apps will even pick up your prescriptions and deliver the medications to your door.
6. Meal Delivery for Seniors
As you age, you're no longer busy in the kitchen making or enjoying large meals with the entire family. Whether you are living alone or are together with your partner through your golden years, there's a beautiful silver lining to this stage: meal delivery services for seniors.
Most meals can be reheated in the microwave, so dinner's ready in 5 minutes! And without a houseful of kids to consider, busy schedules to juggle, limited mobility, joint pain, or cooking expertise to worry about, seniors can really enjoy the full dining out experience without the need for any jar openers. The best meal delivery services offer a wide range of culinary delights from international cuisines to homemade favorites. Just browse the menu, choose the meals you like, and it's fine dining without the headache.
7. Diabetes Tracking Apps
Today, there are more than 12 million seniors walking around with diabetes. That's not surprising considering the fact that it is one of the most frequently-contracted diseases in the United States. You can get apps to track symptoms, medication, and nutrition. So, seniors with diabetes can easily manage every aspect of this disease.
Diabetes tracking apps offer features that let you log everything from blood glucose levels to what you ate at your last meal and which medications you’ve taken today. There are also apps that help you keep track of your activity level, so you can maintain a healthy level of fitness. Apps can sync (or synchronize) your insulin pump data, BG meter, and CGM as well.
8. Dating Sites for Over 50s
Just because you're advancing in age doesn't mean you've lost your touch. There are plenty of seniors who have still got game and are looking for love well past their "prime." If you're thinking of getting back into the game, then there's an array of online dating sites that you can choose from to find your new special someone. Dating sites for over 50's gear their services to people who have been there and done that.
Get matched up with people who are at the same stage of life as you, appreciate your life struggles, and share similar life experiences with you. These dating sites have good filters for finding suitable matches, verified profiles, and safety features so that you're not taken advantage of, and compatibility quizzes that help the system find the best potential dates for you.
9. Apps For Surviving Flu Season
While the flu is just a passing annoyance for younger people, influenza can be fatal for seniors, which is why it's so important to weather this season properly as you get older. Believe it or not, there's even an app for that! There are several different types of apps to help golden-agers survive the flu season like a champ and live to tell the tale. There are the online doctor's services we already mentioned that can help with diagnosis, prescriptions, and medical advice on the spot.
Things like a real-time weather map of where a sickness is currently and heading helps you avoid hotspots for the flu. There are even cool features like illness crowdsourcing that send you alerts about areas that are growing hot for all the wrong reasons. Find the nearest vaccine center in a pinch, get first aid instructions, compare prescription prices, and utilize a symptoms checker all online.
10. Apps for Better Sleep
As you age, it gets harder to fall asleep, stay asleep, and get the sleep you need to stay healthy and active. But sleep is very important, giving your body and mind the time it needs to recuperate from the day's activities and stresses. For this reason, there have been several tools created to help the elderly get better sleep.
Apps for better sleep help in a variety of ways. Some provide you with soothing music or meditations to help you fall into a deep, restful sleep more easily. Others will actually analyze your breathing and movements to wake you at the lightest sleep phases for better transitions. There are even apps that will monitor your movements and sound levels, giving you pointers on how to improve your habits for better sleep.
App-reciate What You Have: Live Life to the Fullest
It's 2024, and the world is more exciting than ever! And as you embrace your golden years, you should be exploring every aspect of it. With the help of useful, easy to use, and senior-friendly technology, apps, and tools, seniors have everything needed to make the most of this exciting new stage in life. Start by downloading a handy mobile app, get out there, and live life to its fullest!
