What better way to embark on a new autumn season than by adding some of the latest caregiving and wellness apps for you and your older adult to explore!
The mix of apps below cover an assortment of themes—from therapy to health and lifestyle. Although some require payment after limited use, all are free to download and try.
Try these with your older adult (or for yourself) to help bring a new sense of confidence and calm to your caregiving routine.
1. AnemoCheck
Designed for people who live with anemia, AnemoCheck allows your senior to easily check their hemoglobin levels instantly with their phone. This app offers a unique, technological approach to help manage red blood cell levels through just a picture of your fingernail. The app is able to scan and focus on the paleness of your nail bed, which correlates with low levels of oxygen in the blood. Thanks to its advanced technology, AnemoCheck can provide a hemoglobin measurement in seconds.
CEO Erika Tyburski, who was diagnosed with anemia in early childhood, said she wants to make the process as convenient as possible for users: “Although Sanguina’s AnemoCheck Mobile should never be used to replace a physician or to make a diagnosis, it allows users to take affordable, instant, proactive and accessible action toward bettering their health wherever, whenever.” AnemoCheck is currently free to download for both Apple and Android devices.
2. Unwinding
Research shows an estimated 4% of older adults worldwide are affected by an anxiety disorder; however, many seniors are left undiagnosed throughout most of their lives. If your older loved one struggles with anxiety symptoms and is seeking immediate relief, Unwinding helps users reduce anxiety levels through a step-by-step program.
According to developer Sharecare, the purpose of this app is not to block thoughts or feelings, but rather to rework the way you approach them. The app contains 30 daily modules that each take around 10 minutes to complete, including a combination of video lessons and mindfulness activities. This serves as a perfect option if your senior loved one doesn’t have a lot of time during the day to meditate and de-stress. Unwinding also includes community support, weekly calls with experts, app-based check-ins and journaling.
According to scientific studies, Unwinding has been proven to reduce anxiety symptoms by 67% among users, making it a widely successful resource for older adults who live with an anxiety disorder. This app provides three different billing options, ranging from $30 per month to $209.99 for a yearly subscription, but your senior can try the first four modules for free before they decide to sign up.
3. 12 Minute Meditation
If your senior considers themselves an auditory learner or is simply interested in more podcasts, 12 Minute Meditation is a great option for them to try! This podcast offers weekly segments that cover a variety of guided meditation practices such as breathing practices or mindfulness techniques.
Research shows that short-length meditation is the best way to start, as it’s easier to concentrate for a shorter period of time and helps you stick to the habit better as well. Additional studies also prove that during meditation, our brains release increased levels of specific neurotransmitters, including dopamine and serotonin—considered the “happy hormones” that play a role in increasing positive thoughts and emotions. 12 Minute Meditation is available wherever you get your podcasts.
4. Olelo
For older adults who struggle with their hearing, phone calls can often feel frustrating or discouraging when it’s difficult to communicate effectively. Luckily, Olelo makes it easy for your loved one to communicate via text message in real time. With instant messaging and phone calls combined in one, this app can transcribe conversation from both people in a matter of seconds. After creating an account, your senior has the option to either create a new phone number through Olelo or use their regular mobile number, which will send your contact over to the Olelo app for captioning. Your senior will also have access to saved contacts and even auto-captioned voicemails, saving your older adult and loved ones the time of having to type a message they could just say out loud.
This app is available from the App store or Google Play and free for all users. One important note is that Olelo cannot make outgoing international calls; however, users can receive these calls and have them instantly transcribed.
5. Happy Not Perfect
Happy Not Perfect focuses on a communal goal: help create a calmer mind. This app offers an abundance of activities to aid users in stressful or emotionally taxing situations, including:
- More than 150 mindfulness activities
- Themed, guided sessions based on your tracked mood
- Quick, inspirational talks from meditation experts
- Seven-step “mind refresh” exercises
Happy Not Perfect is another great option if your older adult is in need of a quick pick-me-up. According to reviews, this app is designed for people who need a “quick refresh when emotions run high.” The endless choices of tasks are what make this app such a successful, uplifting tool your senior loved one can carry right in their pocket! Happy Not Perfect offers free happiness workouts from the start, and additional content is accessible through a monthly subscription fee of $11.99.
