As someone who sometimes feels like I am always in my car, or always traveling, when coupled with some of the best apps, my smartphone is my right hand “man”. Without it I would not know where I needed to go, what time I needed to be there, and how to get there. But for some, namely seniors, smartphone use does not always come as easy. However, it can be a great tool for a senior on the go. As I age, I plan to stay just as busy as I am now. Although, I would like that to be mostly traveling and exploring.
There are many, many useful apps available that can help you in your day to day, as well as travel. Here are a few apps great for seniors.
Waze
I’m dating myself, but… gone are the days of paper maps. Let’s face it, they were not that easy to use. You had to draw on them to map your route before leaving, pull over to check to make sure that you were going the right way, or have a passenger navigate while you drove. GPS apps do it all for us. Before you take off, simply put in your destination address and click Go Now. You can even put in the time that you want to arrive, and get a reminder when it’s time to go. You can even choose from fun voices like Cookie Monster, DJ Khaled, or even Buzz and Woody from Toy Story 4. The voices sometimes change. A while ago, they had Morgan Freeman available. It was awesome!
And you know by now that the laws have changes, so in order to be compliant and use your GPS, get yourself a good phone mount. Then your phone will sit safely in front of you.
WebMD
My mother (RIP) was always talking about a condition, quoting something that she read, or even assuming she had something that she probably did not have. LOL! While, it’s not good to scare yourself reading about symptoms and convincing yourself that you have 5 different things, it is good to stay informed. And sometimes, you may be right! Let’s face it, as we get older, we may experience more aches and pains and more ailments. WebMD lets you look up just about every medical condition you can think of. You can read about symptoms, medications, prevention measures, and more.
Medisafe
Medisafe is a free pill reminder. And unless your memory is awesome, or you keep your pills where you will step on them in the morning, you may sometimes forget to take your medications and vitamins. I know I do! The Medisafe app will also alert a caregiver if you miss a dose, keep a daily, weekly, and monthly report. And you can even keep track of doctor’s appointments.
Best Apps for Banking
I realize that this is a touchy subject. For some seniors, it is hard to grasp technology. And even moreso, many of them do not want to trust technology with their money. However, it is my belief that as life goes on your time is even more valuable. Spending time in line at the bank, currency exchange, or utility offices is a huge time waster. Installing your banking app can save you a lot of time, maybe even save you money, and help you keep your finances in check. It doesn’t matter if you use Chase, Bank of America, Huntington Bank, or Citi Bank. Whatever bank you use, chances are it has an app. This app can help you quickly see a snapshot of what is going on with your account, deposit checks, send money to your grandchildren, and even pay bills, all from the comfort of your couch. The app is password protected, and you can even use your fingerprint to log in, so it’s safe.
Google Keep
I am a HUGE note taker. The problem is that I usually lose them after! So, I use a combination of paper and apps to keep up with what i need to do. My favorite for quick note taking and lists is Google Keep. I use it to make to do lists, take notes during meetings, make shopping lists, and much more. It’s one of many apps that I use to stay on track.
And remember, your smart phone is only as good as the network that backs it. I switched back to Verizon about 2 years ago, and I am so glad that I did! If you are 55 or over and you want the latest and greatest at a good deal, pick out a great smartphone at Verizon and get the Verizon55 Plus plan. Unlimited calls, data, and texts for only $60/month for one line or $80 per month for 2 lines.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Verizon Wireless. All opinions are my own.
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