7 Useful Apps Baby Boomers Should Have on Their Smartphones

August 31, 2016

As baby boomers across America enter their golden years they are increasingly turning towards technology to enable them to be more productive, connect with family members and help them to manage their daily affairs.

In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best apps for seniors.

1. Seniors Phone

In a previous technology article, we highlighted several phones that were beneficial for seniors because of their design and ease of use.

Seniors Phone turns any Android phone into a senior-friendly device. The app simplifies and optimizes a smartphone in following ways:

Simplified “application launcher” so not so much is happening on the screen
Bigger fonts and larger buttons
Easier to use keyboard with larger keys
Easy to use help features
Buttons for finding location, sending location and sending emergency SOS to friends and family

2. Fade: Fall Detector

This is a great app to use for seniors who have fallen and can’t get up. The app uses information collected by the smartphone to detect a fall. The app can be configured to alert a predefined contact after a fall, reporting the time and place the incident occurred by SMS or email. The app can also automatically activate the devices’ speaker phone feature when the predefined contact calls after an incident.

3. Skype

The well-known video conferencing app is an essential communication tool that all seniors should consider using to remain close to family and friends. The interface makes it relatively easy to use. My parents live hundreds of miles away so video chats on Skype have become the number one way they keep in touch with their beloved grandchildren.

4. Kindle

You don’t need to own a Kindle tablet to use Kindle to read digital books. Kindle has a senior friendly app that can be downloaded on any Apple and Android tablets. It includes several options to enlarge the text and adjust the screen brightness, making digital books extremely easy to read even on a tablet.

5. Stitch

Stitch is a social media network for seniors over 50 who want to establish friendships, organize and attend events, develop romantic relationships and try new activities.

Marcie Rogo, the co-founder of Stitch, told TechCrunch “many older adults have lots of things they want to do, but nobody to do them with. Stitch meets this need with a unique and vibrant social network with the ability to meet other like-minded people through member-driven group activities, travel, and one-on-one companionship”.

6. Uber

Uber is a car service that works with the GPS in your smartphone and your credit card, making it easy to arrange trips. Once set up, its simple and hassle free to use. You just hit the app and a car comes to you and gives you a ride wherever you need to go, at any time of the day. You don’t even have to carry cash or a credit card to pay or tip, the transaction is done through the credit card stored in the app.

The popular app totally makes sense for seniors who need to make short trips. Many local taxi companies don’t want to take short fares, buses don’t cover all parts of many cities and aren’t always there when you need them.

All these benefits and Uber is still cheaper than a cab.

7. Magnifying Glass with Light

Forbes lists this as the number one app for seniors. This app turns your apple device into an illuminated magnifying glass making it easier to read smaller or hard to read text on books, newspapers, magazines, restaurant menus and more. Available for iPhone or iPad.

Conclusion

As the baby boomers become seniors, we should keep in mind that many are not only accustomed to technology but represent a large demographic of technical users. The proper use of app technology will enable them to lead more productive lives and allow them to remain close to us.

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