Research indicates that the majority of emergency hospital visits could be avoided with timely access to health information. With this in mind, we’ve compiled a list of the best emergency apps for seniors.
Whether you’re a senior yourself or are caring for an elderly loved one, these apps for your mobile device can help you stay safe and healthy in case of an emergency.
Keep them handy on your phone or tablet so you’re prepared for anything!
In today’s connected world, seniors are turning to smartphones and tablets for more than just communicating with loved ones.
These medical alert systems work to contact friends, family or medical professionals in case of an emergency, a medical need or even to alert caregivers if their senior loved one has wandered away due to dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
With GPS Location features on some of these devices, it’s just the best way to help to keep older adults with conditions that include cognitive decline safe.
That is why many companies offer senior friendly apps so you get the most out your device no matter what stage of life you or a loved one may be at!
An medical alert app on a cell phone is normally used to alert family, friends and/or emergency services that you are in need of help and that the situation you are in is an emergency.
An emergency app could be used for multiple purposes. This could mean anything from using the app as a medical alert, using the app to notify you of emergencies such as hurricanes, tornadoes, etc. Or using the app to alert someone that you’ve been attacked or injured in some way.
When it comes to emergency preparedness for seniors, there’s no question that having a good emergency app on your smartphone is key. Such an app can provide you with vital information in the event of an emergency, and can help you stay safe and connected even when disaster strikes.
With so many emergency apps available, it can be difficult to find the one that’s right for you. To help, we’ve put together the following list of essential apps designed with seniors in mind.
These are tried-and-true apps that have served their users well through many natural disasters and other emergencies, so you can be sure they will be good stewards for you in times of need.
What Apps Do Elderly People Use?
1. ICE – In Case of Emergency: This app allows you to store vital emergency information and contacts on your smartphone that can be quickly accessed in the event of an emergency.
Free – Available on iPhone and Android.
2. American Red Cross Apps: The Red Cross offers a suite of apps designed to help you prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies large and small. From first aid and hurricane safety to babysitting and pet care, the American Red Cross has an app that can help you in any emergency.
Free – Available on iPhone and Android.
3. GoodRx: This prescription-savings app helps seniors get discounts on medication purchases at local pharmacies. You enter your zip code to find the lowest prices for medications near you.
Free – Available on iPhone and Android.
4. Life360: This comprehensive app helps seniors keep track of family members, friends, and other contacts. You can create a virtual “circle” of contacts who can be quickly contacted in the event of an emergency. It also provides location-tracking features that enable you to see where all your contacts are at any given moment.
Free and Paid Plans – Available on iPhone and Android.
5. Medical ID: This app allows you to store all your important medical information in one place, making it accessible to emergency personnel and healthcare providers. You can also set up notifications for medications and doctor’s appointments.
Free and Paid Plans – Available on Android.
6. Medisafe: this app is designed to help users keep track of their medications, set reminders for taking them, and even store information about doctor’s visits. It also features a built-in pharmacy locator.
Free and Paid Plans – Available on iPhone and Android.
7. Google Maps: I use this app every time I go out. It gives me information about nearby attractions, businesses, restaurants, and more. It also provides detailed directions so I know where I’m going and how to get there safely.
Free – Available on iPhone and Android.
8. Pillow: this sleep tracking app is great for seniors who have difficulty sleeping or staying asleep at night. It tracks your sleep patterns over time and creates personalized recommendations for good sleeping habits. It can also help seniors find the best times to take naps and power naps during the day.
Paid plan – Available on iPhone
9. Audible: this is a great app for seniors who have difficulty reading. With Audible, they can listen to books or podcasts on their phone or tablet. They can choose from thousands of titles and find something that interests them. This app is a great way for seniors to stay informed and entertained without having to strain their eyes.
Free and Paid Plan – Available on iPhone and Android.
10. Red Panic Button: As the name implies, this app provides you with an “emergency button” that can be used to send out your location and call for help in the event of an emergency.
Free and Paid Plan – Available on iPhone and Android.
11. Spotify: A great app for seniors who love music and podcasts. Spotify offers millions of songs and curated playlists to choose from. They can enjoy their favorite tunes any time they want!
Free and Paid Plan – Available on iPhone and Android.
12. Magnifying Glass: a great app for those with vision impairment. It allows users to zoom in on text and images, making it easier for seniors to read menus, labels, and instructions.
Free – Available on iPhone and Android.
13. Flashlight: an app to help seniors easily find items in dark areas. The app turns on the flashlight of the device to help seniors see in low lit areas.
Free – Available on iPhone and Android.
14. Dropbox: My late husband loved his Dropbox app. It allowed him to easily store and share photos with family and friends.
Free and Paid Plans – Available on iPhone and Android.
15. Lumosity: This app helps seniors stay mentally sharp by challenging their minds with puzzles and quizzes. It features easy-to-use controls so seniors can pick and choose the games they enjoy.
Free and Paid Plans – Available on iPhone and Android.
16. LastPass: Many older folks I know use the LastPass app to help keep track of all their passwords. It offers an auto-fill feature so they don’t have to remember each one, and it also provides secure storage for other private information such as bank accounts, credit cards, and more.
Paid Plans – Available on iPhone and Android.
17. MyFitnessPal: This app helps users track their calorie intake, exercise routines and progress towards weight loss goals.
Free and Paid Plans – Available on iPhone and Android.
18. First Aid by American Red Cross: This app provides step-by-step first aid advice for common emergency situations along with preparedness tips and training courses.
Free – Available on iPhone and Android.
19. BeClose: This app tracks your phone allowing your loved ones to monitor your location.
Free – Available on iPhone and Android.
20. SimplyE: This free library ebook borrowing service helps seniors search for ebooks and audiobooks from over 10,000 libraries across the United States. SimplyE makes it easy for seniors to find and borrow books without having to leave their home.
Free – Available on iPhone and Android.
Apps For Seniors Living Alone
There are many apps that can be helpful for seniors living alone, including:
Medical Alert Systems
These apps allow seniors to call for help in an emergency with the press of a button.
Some examples are:
- MyGuardian App
- Caregiver Tracking App
- LifeFone Mobile Alert App
- Aloe Care Health App
- Lifeline Philips Cares App
Social Connection Apps
These apps allow seniors to connect with friends and family, and can also provide a sense of community through group chats and activities.
Some examples are:
- Skype
- Words With Friends
Medication Management Apps
These apps can help seniors keep track of their medications, including dosage and timing.
Some examples are:
- Pill Reminder by Medisafe
- MyMedSchedule
- MyMeds
Exercise and Wellness Apps
These apps provide exercise routines and wellness tips for seniors to stay active and healthy.
Some examples are:
- Map My Walk
- SilverSneakers Go
- MyFitness Pal
Read about how to get your SilverSneakers card here.
Safety Apps
These apps provide features such as GPS tracking and emergency alerts to help keep seniors safe.
Some examples are:
- Senior Safety App
- Cairn
- Noonlight
It’s important to carefully research and compare different apps to find the one that best meets the needs of the senior. It may also be helpful to consult with a healthcare provider or trusted family member before making a decision.
What To Look For In An Emergency App?
Here are some tips on what to look for when choosing an emergency app or medical alert app for your senior loved one (or yourself).
- Ease of use
- A good long battery life
- Low battery alerts
- Emergency button options
- An affordable monthly fee
- Good reviews in recent years
- Extra features such as fall detection if needed
Read our recommendations for the most useful apps for senior caregivers.
Best Emergency Apps To Help Older Adults
The very important emergency apps for seniors are the ones that can be used to alert others and / or authorities (i.e. 911) or an emergency call center that the user is having a medical emergency. These are called Medical Alert Apps.
Medical alert apps are the new way for seniors with medical conditions to stay safe and independent, even if they can’t reach a medical alert system.
With these apps, your family can quickly be notified that you need help, saving crucial time in an emergency situation.
Some apps below will also send a text message – I recommend that you upload as many emergency apps as needed depending on your situation and location.
These include the following:
LifeFone Mobile Alert – an app that can be used on the phone to call for help when it’s needed.
The LifeFone service offers many great features and for an extra $10.00/month it can be GPS enabled meaning that it can be used outside the home.
Other Emergency Apps Include:
MyGuardian App that works with your Medical Guardian medical alert device.
MobileHelp App is another app that works with your MobileHelp medical alert device.
Lifeline Hotline App is a stand alone app that is available for Android devices from Google Play. It can be used to contact physicians and EMT’s (Emergency Medical Technicians).
Senior Safety App is another stand alone app.
Earthquake Notification Service (ENS) is an emergency app that is appropriate for all age groups. It can send an email and/or text message to you when an earthquake affects your area. You can customize the magnitude that you will get an alert for.
Emergency Apps
Other types of emergency apps include those that can notify the user about an impending event such as hurricane warning, tornado alert, thunderstorm activity, etc.
There are many emergency apps on the market, but not all of them are ideal for seniors. The best features to look for in an emergency app for older adults is one that is easy to use, provides quick and accurate information, and can be accessed from anywhere.
These include the following:
Some of the most popular emergency apps include the American Red Cross’s First Aid App, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Ready App, and the WeatherBug App.
American Red Cross First Aid App
The American Red Cross’s First Aid App is a comprehensive first aid app that provides information on how to handle common emergencies.
The app includes step-by-step instructions for first aid procedures, videos demonstrating how to perform first aid techniques, and emergency contacts.
The app has an easy-to-use tabbed interface that lets users quickly access information on how to handle medical emergencies, including CPR; bites and stings; broken bones; heart attacks; electrical emergencies; drowning; bleeding; sunburns, heatstroke, and other weather-related issues like lightning strikes.
It also includes a search function that allows users to access information quickly, and an illustrated glossary of medical terms.
The American Red Cross’s First Aid App also includes a feature called “My Family, My Plan,” which allows users to designate people in their lives—such as family members or neighbors—who can help in the so that users event of an emergency or if they are unable to contact first responders.
The app also features information on what to do in the event of a missing child, earthquake, tornado, wildfire, hurricane, and terrorist attack.
For emergencies with pets, there is even a feature that allows them to be added as “family members” in an entry.
FEMA Mobile App
Another is the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Ready App. This app is also free and helps users create a personalized emergency plan. In the event of an emergency, the app provides users with information on what to do and where to go.
Ready also sends notifications about emergencies in the user’s area and allows them to check the status of loved ones in affected areas.
When it comes to emergencies, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. That’s why seniors should download one of these emergency apps on their smartphone today. They may just save a life.
WeatherBug App
This app is a must for seniors living in areas that are susceptible to extreme weather conditions. The WeatherBug App provides information on weather alerts, storm tracking, and hazardous weather warnings.
Medical Alert Apps
After years of working with older adults as an Occupational Therapist and being acquainted with many seniors in my circle of family and friends, I am well aware that many elderly refuse to wear medical alert devices.
Many of these are managed with a smartphone app on a cell phone.
It’s extremely frustrating for adult children and caregivers who care for seniors with a medical condition. These devices and apps can provide peace of mind if emergency calls are necessary. After all, help is just a press of a button away with these devices!
Also, some are now equipped with automatic fall detection in case of a fall! I suspect this will be a feature that will be more common in the near future.
But, although I understand that it’s difficult to convince your loved one to use a wearable help button, I do want to mention them in this article.
There are quite a few medical alert devices on the market these days and more being introduced as the population grows older and older. I’ll mention a few here.
Belle+ Medical Alert Device from Family 1st
Life Fone Medical Alarm
Family 1st Medical Alert
Bay Alarm Medical
Medical alert companies are constantly updating and upgrading their devices to meet the needs of seniors.
You may also want to consider a medical alert smartwatch which is an option over a necklace device. Please know that the Apple Watch offers some unique features for seniors.
Here’s a warning about the older devices that run on 2G or 3G networks: Those are shutting down by the end of 2022. 2G and 3G networks will no longer function for anything after 2022. If your aging loved one has such a device, now is the time to upgrade or replace it. Manufacturers likely make this easy by offering newer versions, but don’t count on your aging parent to follow up on any letters sent to them about this.
forbes.com
Wrapping It Up
When you need help in an emergency situation, your smartphone can be a lifesaver. Especially if it’s equipped with emergency apps. It can contact friends, family and emergency responders.
Some of the latest devices on the market offer much more than just an alert, they also offer fall detection which can be a lifesaver for older adults.
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