Tags: Website Apps. Seniors. Retirement. Technology
13 WEBSITES & APPS EVERY SENIOR SHOULD KNOW ABOUT
Everything from buying groceries and doing the banking to booking a doctor’s appointment or arranging to get the car serviced can now be done online.
The internet, smartphones, and tablets have made the world a smaller place. It’s not just keeping in touch with family and friends that technology has made easier. Everything from buying groceries and doing the banking to booking a doctor’s appointment or arranging to get the car serviced can now be done online. The internet, smartphones, and tablets are helping many seniors maintain their independence.
Here are 13 websites and apps that every senior should know about – whether you are a retiree living at home, receive help through assisted living, use other aged-care services or even live in a nursing home.
HEALTH AND FITNESS APPS FOR SENIORS
Instant Heart Rate
If the doctor has ordered you to keep an eye on your heart rate, this is a fantastic little app you can use on your smartphone. It’ll give you your heart rate in 10 seconds, anytime and anywhere. You just put the tip of your finger on your phone’s camera lens and it gives you your reading. Check out www.azumio.com/apps#heartrate
Stretch Exercises
We all know exercise is important to keeping ourselves fit and healthy but stretching (you know, that bit we used to skip!) is just as important. Stretching helps ease some of those constant little muscular aches and pains, alleviates the symptoms of arthritis, strengthens your muscles and increases blood circulation.
MyFitnessPal
There are lots of apps that do what MyFitnessPal does, but unlike some of the others, this one is free. It’s basically a place to keep track of the exercise you’re doing each day. Using the app you can record how far you’ve walked, how many calories you’ve burned – and even record how many calories you’ve consumed, should you wish. Visit https://www.myfitnesspal.com/ for more information.
PocketPhysio
This app comes from the UK but it’s perfect for anyone in Australia who needs physiotherapy. It features advice on walking with a frame or crutches, various breathing exercises, pain management tips and advice for dressing, bathing and getting in and out of vehicles. It has instructions for exercises and can be used to help make sure you make a speedy recovery. Visit www.careukhealthcare.com/pocketphysio.
Words With Friends
Keeping an active and engaged mind is as important as keeping a healthy body — but that doesn’t mean it has to be boring! If you love Scrabble, you’ll love Words With Friends. It’s the same game but you can play it on your phone and, as the name suggests, you can play with any of your friends who also have the app — even if they’re on the other side of the world.
Itunes: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/words-with-friends-classic/id321916506
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zynga.words&hl=en_AU
Elevate
This app was Apple’s ‘app of the year’ a few years back. Elevate has more than 40 fun games you can play to improve your cognitive skills and strengthen your memory. The app allows you to develop a personalised ‘brain training program’ focused on your particular needs – such as memory, focus, processing speed, and comprehension. It’s great fun, as well as a great challenge. Visit https://www.elevateapp.com/
MindMate
Described as an app for ‘the young at heart’, MindMate is for anyone who wants to reduce the risk of developing memory loss or manage memory decline as they age. More than 350,000 people from all over the world are using the app, which can also be used on a computer. It has games, exercises and much more. Visit https://www.mindmate-app.com/
Websites to cure a lonely heart
Sometimes our circumstances mean we find ourselves without someone special to share our lives with. The internet is a great place to meet like-minded people. Why not try a website like Singles Over 60 or SixtyDating Australia if you’d like to meet someone special?
HANDY WEBSITES FOR AUSTRALIAN SENIORS
National Seniors Australia
It is a fantastic resource for keeping up to date with the news and issues that affect seniors. It’s a place where you can voice your concerns about Government policy, find out the latest research, find useful tools to use and even take part in competitions and win prizes. Visit https://nationalseniors.com.au/
The Senior
This Australian newspaper has a great website with lots of news and information that seniors may find useful or of interest. It has an excellent entertainment section, financial and retirement information and advice, and plenty of travel stories and advice for those keen to spend their retirement seeing the world. Visit www.thesenior.com.au
Seniors Card website
The perks that come with a Seniors Card are a great reward for a lifetime spent paying tax! It entitles you to all sorts of discounts, including concessions on public transport. To make sure you’re getting the most out of your Seniors Card, visit www.australia.gov.au/content/seniors-card and follow the link to your state or territory.
For help with assisted living or aged-care services contact Bromilow Community Care on 07 5445 5676 or visit www.bromilow.com.au