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Technology has transformed almost every aspect of life in one way or another. It has impacted business, how we make things, how we communicate with each other, how we get around, and more. While technology has always been popular with younger generations, it has taken longer for it to catch on with older individuals. 

However, 40% of seniors now own smartphones—two times as many individuals as a decade ago. With the use of smartphones and other technology increasing among older populations, it’s important to share the most useful resources with them. In this article, we’ll highlight some of the best apps for seniors.

The Top Apps for Seniors

Smartphones, tablets, and computers are only as good as the applications that can be used on them. Here’s a list of some of the most useful apps for senior citizens:

• Medisafe – Medisafe is one of the best health apps for seniors, as it tracks all of their prescription information and helps to manage multiple medications at once. After you enter all of the prescription information, it will even send seniors a reminder when it is time to take a specific medication. 

• Video Calling Apps – Other useful apps for seniors are video calling apps that allow them to see their family, friends, and loved ones when they can’t be together in the same place. The most popular video calling apps include FaceTime, Google Duo, Skype, or Zoom.

• Maps – Whether Google Maps, Apple Maps, or another option, using a maps app can ensure that seniors know how to get where they need to go. Most of these apps also keep track of where you parked your car if you drove yourself somewhere. They can also be used to see nearby stores, restaurants, and more.

• Facebook and Facebook Messenger – Facebook and Facebook Messenger are two social media staples that nearly everyone uses. They are also helpful for seniors, as they allow them to connect with friends and family, update others on their life, and chat with people when they don’t want to talk on the phone or video call.

• Lumosity – There are many apps for memory and cognition for seniors, but Lumosity is one of the best options. It includes many games and activities that help to improve cognitive abilities, like memory, attention, flexibility, speed of processing, and problem-solving. It offers an easy and fun way for seniors to keep their minds sharp.

• Magnifying Glass + Light – This app offers a convenient way for seniors to read text that is too small. They simply use the camera on their smartphone to zoom in on the text they want to read, and they are able to see it much more easily and clearly.

• Word With Friends – There are a variety of different game apps for seniors, but Words With Friends is one of the most fun and easiest to use. The game is similar to Scrabble, and you can play against friends and family members no matter where you are, offering a fun way to exercise your brain and bond with the people you care about.

• MyFitnessPal – There are numerous exercise apps for seniors, but MyFitnessPal is at the top of the list. As one of the best fitness apps for seniors, MyFitnessPal allows seniors to track all of their nutrition information, while also providing exercise routines that can help them to stay active and healthy.

• Uber and Lyft – Two very valuable apps that can help seniors get around are Uber and Lyft. These two ridesharing apps allow individuals to call a ride to pick them up and take them wherever they need to go. This is useful for seniors who have trouble getting around or no longer drive themselves so they can do things like getting groceries, going out to eat, visiting friends or family, and more.

At Celebrate Senior Living, we are committed to celebrating the moments, victories, and memories that will last a lifetime for our residents and their loved ones. We are a Midwest-based foundation that serves Illinois and Indiana residents by offering Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Skilled Nursing living options. We also provide three delicious, healthy meals a day to ensure our residents get the nutrients they need!

If you or a loved one are interested in senior living options, schedule a tour with us today! You can also learn more by exploring our communities, which include South Holland, Niles, and Fort Wayne, or by contacting us with any other questions!

Writing a will—also known as a last will and testament—and estate planning may seem like things you don’t have to worry about until later on in life. In fact, only 1 in 3 individuals over the age of 18 has a will, and only 50% of individuals over the age of 55 have one. However, they are both incredibly important, and shouldn’t be put off until later. In this article, we’ll explain how to write a will and share other estate planning tips.

How To Write a Will

A will is only one part of your overall estate plan—a plan for what to do with all of your assets after you have passed. But a will is one of the most critical aspects of your estate plan, and should therefore be created as early as possible. Here are the steps for writing a will:

1. Name an Executor – The executor of your will is the individual who will be carrying out all of your wishes listed in your will. 

2. Identify Beneficiaries – Specify the beneficiaries who will receive your assets—who gets what? These individuals can be your family members, friends, or even charities. You can divide your assets amongst your beneficiaries any way you’d like.

3. Choose a Guardian – For individuals who have children under the age of 18, specify a guardian to care for them when you are gone.

4. Include Any Other Wishes – Include any other wishes that aren’t associated with your financial assets, such as any instructions for your funeral, deciding who will take care of any pets you may have, and any other desires.

5. Sign It – Your will is only valid if your signature is present.

6. Get Witnesses To Sign It – You must have two witnesses to sign your will. These individuals cannot be listed in your will.

7. Get It Notarized – You should get your will notarized to ensure its validity and that it will hold up in court.

It’s important to write a will because if you happen to die without one—also known as intestate—there can be unwanted consequences, such as the state becoming the executor of your estate, leaving your family and loved ones with no say in the distribution of your assets. Since a will is just one part of your estate, you should also look into other estate planning options to ensure you have everything covered.

Estate Planning Tips

In addition to writing a last will and testament, other important actions for your estate plan include:

• Itemize all of your assets, including physical property—such as your home, jewelry, collectibles, and anything else of value—and non-physical assets—such as bank accounts, insurance policies, IRAs, 401(k)s, and more. 
• Make a list of all your debts, including open credit card accounts, loans, mortgages, and any other debts you may have. Include your account numbers, contact information for the companies holding the debt, and the location of all your signed agreements.
• Make a list of all organizations you are a member of—like AARP, alumni associations, and other groups—as well as listing any charitable organizations you support.
• Make copies of all your lists in case something happens to one of them. Make sure to sign and date each copy.
• Review your retirement accounts, and ensure that they have the proper beneficiaries listed.
• Update all life insurance policies to ensure that they also have the proper beneficiaries listed.

You can also find additional estate planning tips here. While it’s not always easy to think about passing on, it is incredibly important to think about what you want, and take the necessary steps to guarantee that your loved ones are cared for after you are gone.

At Celebrate Senior Living, we are committed to celebrating the moments, victories, and memories that will last a lifetime for our residents and their loved ones. We are a Midwest-based foundation that serves Illinois and Indiana residents by offering Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Skilled Nursing living options. We also provide three delicious, healthy meals a day to ensure our residents get the nutrients they need!

If you or a loved one are interested in senior living options, schedule a tour with us today! You can also learn more by exploring our communities, which include South Holland, Niles, and Fort Wayne, or by contacting us with any other questions!

As we age, some things that were once easy can become more difficult. This is true for things like physical tasks such as lifting and carrying, maintaining a living space, cooking, and even getting around. Transportation for seniors can be one of the areas that is affected when older adults begin to lose the ability to do things independently. In this article, we’ll cover some of the different senior transportation options that are available.

The Different Transportation Options for Seniors

• Personal Transportation – The most popular option for senior transportation is personal transportation. There are over 45 million individuals over the age of 65 who are still licensed to drive. However, aging drivers are also more likely to get into accidents. Safer personal transportation options include having family members or caregivers drive seniors to and from their destinations.

• Public Transportation – Another option for seniors to get around is public transportation. Using public transportation is a cheap and easy option for older adults who have mobility and are still able to move independently. The downsides of public transportation include having to get to a station or stop, waiting for a ride, limited route options, and more.

• Rideshare Services – Seniors can also use rideshare services—like Uber and Lyft—to get where they need to go. These services are quick and offer older adults the comfort of riding in a private car. However, using the apps can be complicated, and they can end up costing a lot when used often.

• Medical Transport – Disabled seniors may have difficulty getting around with some of the other options, but they can use medical transportation to travel to their destination. Medical transportation is a specialized service that involves modified vehicles that can accommodate seniors with disabilities, medical equipment, and more. 

• Senior Living Community Transportation Services – One of the main benefits for older adults living in a senior living community is that there are usually transportation services provided. Each community normally has its own professional drivers who can take residents to their destinations, whether it’s an appointment, a trip to the store to get groceries, going to a movie, or any other destination whenever they need. This removes the hassle of driving and parking themselves, and ensures that residents get to their destination safely.

At Celebrate Senior Living, we are committed to celebrating the moments, victories, and memories that will last a lifetime for our residents and their loved ones. We are a Midwest-based foundation that serves Illinois and Indiana residents by offering Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Skilled Nursing living options. We also provide three delicious, healthy meals a day to ensure our residents get the nutrients they need!

If you or a loved one are interested in senior living options, schedule a tour with us today! You can also learn more by exploring our communities, which include South Holland, Niles, and Fort Wayne, or by contacting us with any other questions!