Posted By scadmin on Dec 18, 2017 | 1 comment

Today, people young and old know the constant glow of smartphones – each with apps used for just about anything you can think of! If there’s one thing we’ll only see more of, it’s software for the ever-increasing range of mobile devices available to consumers. In all honesty, there are way too many apps to even keep track of, yet some are absolutely essential for smartphone-wielding seniors to install! No matter your interests or familiarity with operating these devices, we’ll explore some of the best apps for seniors in 2018!

Before we get into all this technological-tomfoolery, it’s important to note that there are differences in the operating systems of phones made by Apple and those featuring Android platforms. For each of these apps listed, we made sure to provide versions for both iOS devices and Android phones, this way you can achieve the same result regardless of what type of phone you have!

If you’d like to follow along with this article, go ahead and open up the App Store if you have an iPhone or iPad, or Google Play if you have an Android phone. If not, just sit back and check out these best apps for seniors in 2018 coming in hot…

Best Apps for Seniors in 2018

1. Parking Reminder Apps

Ever park your car in a giant parking lot, spend hours shopping and then completely lose track of where it is? We’ve all been there, and for seniors it can be a major inconvenience. For those driving to new places or parking in a city, these apps can be extremely helpful. No one wants to walk around in circles just to get back to their vehicles — especially older adults! To solve this issue, there are two apps available:

• ParkIt – for iOS 

• ParKing Reminder – for Android 

Both of these apps allow you to track where your car is parked using GPS, and will even provide on-screen directions for how to find it. If your car is Bluetooth enabled, ParKing Reminder will automatically track your car’s location once you exit the vehicle, saving you the headache of remembering to start the app. ParkIt for iPhone is also has a great feature where it will send you parking meter expiration reminders. Either way, these two apps are on our list for best apps for seniors in 2018 and beyond!

2. Lumosity

So maybe you’ve downloaded a “find my car” type of app, but you are still looking for a way to keep your brain from being so forgetful… Consider checking out Lumosity, a braining training app created by scientists and game designers! This app features games and tasks designed to improve many areas of human cognition, whether that’s memory, mathematics, language, or just general problem-solving. Better yet, subscribers can track their results and access specialized tasks in order to improve in a specific area.

Download Lumosity: for iOS and the Android Version

Not only can you access this app on any type of smartphone, but it can also be enjoyed through desktop computers, smart TVs, and tablets. This is one app that is constantly improving and evolving, featuring free guidance, help with understanding your personal data, and lots of encouragement. There are paid subscriptions for greater access to data, more games, and other insights, however, it’s easy to start with the free version to see how you like it!

3. Pandora

This is one app that’s an oldie-but-a-goodie, and it’s hard to close once you’ve opened it! Pandora is an online radio that plays your favorite types of music right from your phone, tablet or computer. All you have to do is choose the type of music or an artist you like, and the app will play similar songs for you! If you’re not too keen on a particular sound, you can vote with the ‘thumbs down’ icon so that less music of that type is played. On the other hand, selecting a ‘thumbs up’ will train your app to play more similar music and eventually help you build a custom profile.

Download Pandora: for iOS and for Android

As with most music apps, there are paid versions that allow you to listen without advertisements in addition to many other features. If you’re more inclined to build specific playlists of music and want to search for individual artists, bands, or songs, consider Spotify instead!

4. Skype

This is another app that’s been around for quite some time (in software years) but it keeps proving its worth! Skype can be downloaded to any computer, tablet, or smartphone and is used to video chat, message, or make phone calls for free! You’ll just need to make an account, and then you can share your username with friends, family, and grandkids to help keep in touch over long distances.

Download Skype: for iOS and for Android

Another great benefit is the ability to contact people in other countries, through six different deals. The cheapest plan is $1.49 for 100 minutes of international connectivity, or $13.99 for unlimited minutes each month. There are few cheaper ways to stay in touch with relatives across the globe than with Skype, giving this app a firm place on our list of best apps for seniors in 2018!

5. NPR One

Whether you’re looking to stay up to date on international headlines, national stories, or entertaining shows like “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me,” NPR One is a great free app to consider! This app allows listeners to listen to a wide range of podcasts and daily broadcasts, as well as hundreds of hours of archived content. NPR One can even notify you when one of your favorite shows is about to air, making sure you don’t miss a beat!

Download NPR One: for iOS and for Android

Whether you’re traveling or just relaxing at home, this app makes a great companion for worldly and thought-provoking content!

Have an app you think should be included in our best apps for seniors in 2018? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!