Your smartphone, tablet, or mobile device does more than provide hours of endless entertainment. It could also save your life!

According to Pew Research Center, more than 50% of all seniors in the U.S. now own a smartphone. For many seniors and their caregivers, smartphone or tablet apps can make life easier, safer, and more interesting. And several are tailored specifically to address the health and wellness needs of seniors.

From alerting your primary contact in the event of an emergency to making medication management easy, these apps cover different topics that may interest—or help—seniors as well as their loved ones.

10 Apps Every Senior Should Download

1. Medisafe – This health app is a fast, safe, secure way to manage your medications. It allows you to do everything from set medication reminders and track your meds to receive notifications when your medication is running low. You can even add family members or caregivers, so they can receive reminders and updates too.
2. Lumosity – You or your loved one will stay mentally sharp with this popular “brain training” and memory app. It offers a variety of brain teasers and puzzles to promote and enhance cognitive skills like problem-solving and critical thinking. Give it a try.
3. Senior Discounts – Save money at your favorite restaurants, grocery stores, and more with this free app. It’s the most comprehensive guide to senior discounts across the country.
4. WhatsApp, Facetime, Skype, or Facebook Messenger – Especially during these unexpected times of COVID-19, staying connected with your loved ones means more than ever. And it’s easier than ever to do while self-quarantining or isolating with video messaging apps like WhatsApp, Facetime, and more.
5. ICE (In Case of Emergency) – This app is more than a game-changer—it’s a lifesaver, too. Store emergency contacts and other essential information on your phone in case of an emergency situation. Much of this information, like medical conditions, blood group, and emergency contact number, are vital for first responders and allows them to provide you with medical emergency help and notify your loved ones.
6. Senior Safety App – This free app was built to keep you and your loved ones safe. This intuitive app can monitor your phone location, protect against falls and wandering, catch online scams and abuse, and more. Especially if you’re a caregiver that doesn’t live with your loved one, the Senior Safety App allows you to know when your elderly family members are in trouble, 24/7.
7. Be My Eyes – Every day, volunteers lend their eyes to solve tasks big and small for blind or low-vision users of this app. Be My Eyes is a free app designed to make the world more accessible to people who are blind or have low vision.
8. AARP Now – Whether you’re an AARP member or not, this free app offers senior-specific news, plus topics specific to caregivers of seniors, local events, senior discounts, and more. You can even earn points and rewards when you sync the AARP Now app with your fitness tracker.
9. GoodRX – Are you getting the best deal on your medications? Stop paying too much for your prescriptions with the GoodRX, which collects prices and discounts from more than 60,000 U.S. pharmacies. It’s the best way to find coupons and save on your prescriptions.
10. EyeReader – Do you struggle to read restaurant menus or prescription labels? Do you wish you had a magnifying glass for these special circumstances? EyeReader is a unique reading magnifier that utilizes the LED light of your phone to increase and illuminate text. It’s especially helpful for reading small, fine print in darker areas.

What’s your favorite app for seniors or caregivers? Share with us in the comments below.