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Useful Apps:  Older Adult Perspectives

The Impact Theme series: Longevity Explorers Discuss.

Our Longevity Explorers like to seek out useful Apps and share them with each other and with you.

We are looking for Apps that can help make life as we grow older a pleasure not a burden.

 

 

Hear what Older Adults Think: Useful Apps

Voice Reminder App Review

By: jillllee

I wanted a solution to "forgetting" things I had put in the calendar. I found a useful app to help with this, and here is a review of it.

Like many of us, my day to day living is largely reliant on a calendar, via my iPad, iPhone or Android smart phone, to notify me when... Read More. Add your Opinions

 

Online Grocery Delivery for those with Low Vision

You are experiencing problems ordering groceries online from apps that are not designed for a person who is blind or has low vision. Even when you tried screen readers such as Apple VoiceOver, you found that using it to read entire web pages designed for sighted persons very frustrating.

Read: "Online Grocery Delivery for those with Low Vision"

 

Online Grocery Delivery for those with Low Vision

 

The iOS Health App Explained

San Francisco Explorer Lynn tells the group about how first responders can use your iPhone or Apple Watch to access your essential medical information during an emergency.

Listen to: "The iOS Health App Explained"

 

The iOS Health App Explained

 

Favorite Apps: SRC Explorers

Saratoga Retirement Community explorers name and discuss their favorite apps. 

Listen to: "Favorite Apps: SRC Explorers"

 

Favorite Apps: SRC Explorers

 

Virtual1- Apps that Improve Your Everyday Life

The Virtual1 Explorers Circle discussed apps that they regularly used on a smartphone or tablet.

Listen to: "Virtual1- Apps that Improve Your Everyday Life"

 

Virtual1- Apps that Improve Your Everyday Life

 

Google Translate: App of the Month @ SF

San Francisco Explorer Michaela explains to the group how she uses Google Translate, one of her favorite apps.

Listen to: "Google Translate: App of the Month @ SF"

 

 

Flywheel: Hail a Cab Swiftly

Lynn presents another in the series of Longevity Explorers' favorite apps, telling the group about Flywheel, her favorite ride sharing app.

Listen to: "Flywheel: Hail a Cab Swiftly"

 

Flywheel: Hail a Cab Swiftly

 

Video Conference Apps: Susan Reports

Susan Reports that her favorite apps are those used for videoconferencing.

Listen to: "Video Conference Apps: Susan Reports"

 

Video Conference Apps: Susan Reports

 

Google Maps: App Demo

Explorer John tells the group about a favorite app - Google Maps, and lists what he considers to be the more useful features:  

  • Turn by Turn directions to a place in an unfamiliar area.
  • Point to point distances, both in time and in miles (Walking, Driving, Public Transit,
    • ...

Listen to: "Google Maps: App Demo"

 

Google Maps: App Demo

 

Apps for Covid Boredom @ SF

For those who find that time passes slowly during the Covid shutdown, the San Francisco explorers discuss the apps, websites and other things they find useful to to fight boredom. 

Listen to: " Apps for Covid Boredom @ SF"

 

Apps for Covid Boredom @ SF

 

More on Video Games - Xbox

By: djcoffey

Wishing for new sights and sounds, I purchased an Xbox One X this week.

Realizing that I was more into games in the 1980's and have been left far behind since, it's quite a leap to try the Star Wars game that was included in my package.

Space Invaders and PacMan were all the rage... Read More. Add your Opinions

 

Gratitude Log - An Alexa Skill To Help You Focus On Your Blessings

By: Bob Kolock

As we socially distance during this time of stress, it is only natural for each of us to think about & be thankful for our true blessings, our family, friends, & the many things in the world around us that make life worth living. Some of you may write these down in a journal... Read More. Add your Opinions

 

Essential Apps for Elders @ Providence

Led by Ronda Sciolto, a member of the Steering Committee of the Providence Circle, the June meeting focused on technology, particularly on apps (or applications) that are particularly useful. Ronda worked in technology for many years and is the founder of “Help Me, Ronda,” a business that has the goal of helping non-digital natives thrive in a digital world by reducing barriers to using the tools of technology and making it simple.

Listen to: "Essential Apps for Elders @ Providence"

 

Essential Apps for Elders @ Providence

 

Who Prefers a Taxi vs. a Car for Hire?

Explorer Lynn starts the discussion by voicing a preference for the Flywheel taxi smartphone app. 

Listen to: "Who Prefers a Taxi vs. a Car for Hire?"

 

Who Prefers a Taxi vs. a Car for Hire?

 

An App to Meditate, Improve Mindfulness and Focus: Explorer Report

Explorer Karen tells the group about an Apple app she uses at the start of each day to help her relax and get off on a positive footing.

Listen to: "An App to Meditate, Improve Mindfulness and Focus: Explorer Report"

 

An App to Meditate, Improve Mindfulness and Focus: Explorer Report

 

Siri Endorsed for Navigational Skill

Explorer Lynn describes her initial introduction to Siri as a most helpful navigation aid while driving.

Listen to: "Siri Endorsed for Navigational Skill"

 

Siri Endorsed for Navigational Skill

 

Update on Food Delivery Services in S.F.

Explorers report their recent experiences with home grocery deliveries.

Listen to: "Update on Food Delivery Services in S.F."

 

Update on Food Delivery Services in S.F.

 

Explorer Reports on GoGo Grandparent

Explorer Barbara tells the group about a service that allows people without a smartphone to use a cell phone or a wire line to call to summon a ride from Uber or Lyft.

Listen to: "Explorer Reports on GoGo Grandparent"

 

Explorer Reports on GoGo Grandparent

 

Driving Test for Older Adults: Do We Want It?

This group talks about how to decide that it is time to stop driving. Who should decide? And would an "App for that" be useful?

Listen to: "Driving Test for Older Adults: Do We Want It?"

 

Driving Test for Older Adults: Do We Want It?

 

Food and Meal Delivery Gains in Popularity

SF Village Explorer Barbara has shown interest in grocery delivery services. Now she updates the group on her latest discovery, Envoy Personal Concierge Service.

Listen to: "Food and Meal Delivery Gains in Popularity"

 

Food and Meal Delivery Gains in Popularity

 

SF Village Explorer Endorses NextBus App

Explorer Kai expresses surprise that he does not see his favorite app - SF MUNI's NextBus app - prominently displayed in the Tech-enhanced Life graphic for the Useful Apps Club.

Listen to: "SF Village Explorer Endorses NextBus App"

 

SF Village Explorer Endorses NextBus App

 

Video Calling Discussed @ SF Village

Explorer Steve reports that he uses FaceTime to visit with his sister, who then uses it to show him something that has broken so he can explain to her how to fix it.

Listen to: "Video Calling Discussed @ SF Village"

 

Video Calling Discussed @ SF Village

 

Which Senior-focused Transportation Options are Best?

These explorers discuss various approaches to transportation for seniors who no longer drive, whether living in a car-based community or not. Security shapes up to be an important topic the explorers want to learn more about for next circle meeting.

Listen to: "Which Senior-focused Transportation Options are Best?"

 

Which Senior-focused Transportation Options are Best?

 

Explorers Learn to Read in the Dark with Smartphone Apps

Explorer Shelley wants to live an active life, but is embarrassed when in a dimly lit club or restaurant and can't read the menu.

Listen to: "Explorers Learn to Read in the Dark with Smartphone Apps"

 

Explorers Learn to Read in the Dark with Smartphone Apps

 

Explorer App Report: Gas Buddy, Open Table

Explorer Arthur reports to the group on his experience using the Gas Buddy and Open Table smartphone apps.

Listen to: "Explorer App Report: Gas Buddy, Open Table "

 

Explorer App Report: Gas Buddy, Open Table

 

Topic Hub

Useful Apps for Seniors and Boomers

Useful Apps: Older Adults, Seniors & Boomers

Discover Useful Apps for Seniors and Boomers. Reviews, analysis, tutorials for older adults who want to turn their smartphone or tablet into a useful tool.

Read: "Useful Apps: Older Adults, Seniors & Boomers"

 

 

Our Research

"Useful Apps for Seniors" Club: for seniors, boomers, older adults.

The "Useful Apps Club" for Older Adults

Unlock the potential of your smartphone or tablet to improve your life. 

The "Useful Apps Club" is for older adults and Boomers who have a smartphone or tablet (or are thinking of getting one) and need help to turn it into a useful tool. We are focused on finding Apps that can change your life, and teaching you how to use them. 

Read: "The "Useful Apps Club" for Older Adults"

 

 

About the Impact Theme Series

Our Longevity Explorers (hundreds of older adults with ages ranging from 60-95 years old) meet regularly to discuss topics at the intersection of aging and technology.

Among the many topics we discuss in these meetings, we have been exploring some specific themes which we think are going to be very important for older adults in the future, and which in our opinion are ripe for innovation. These make up our Impact Themes, and Useful Apps is one of these themes.

In these discussions:

  • We share how we do things today;
  • We explore and critique existing products;
  • We talk about challenges we have that we wish products could solve; and
  • We dream up product concepts we wish someone like you would develop.

If you are developing products or services for older adults in the category of Useful Apps, listen to the Longevity Explorer discussions on this page to get insights about how to develop better products and services for older adults.

More Explorer Discussions

 

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Topics (broader coverage of this theme): 
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