Smartphones and tablets provide a wide range of applications that contribute to independent senior living. Whether you're looking for a healthy dessert recipe to whip up for friends and family or a platform for staying abreast of daily news, there's an app perfect for seniors. Even if you're not particularly tech-savvy, most apps provide a friendly user experience that makes them easy to navigate. Before you know it, quality apps become routine resources for seeking out information, playing games and communicating with loved ones. However, with hundreds of thousands of apps available, it can be tough to separate the good ones from the crowd. Here are five apps that are particularly senior-friendly:
1. Clevermind
Clevermind is an app specifically designed for those with Alzheimer's disease or other cognitive impairments. According to the Clevermind website, the app not only provides a variety of memory exercises to increase neuroplasticity, but also includes social and entertainment elements. This application is rather robust, and besides games includes news, trivia, books, movies and more. Clevermind currently costs $2.99 and is available at the Apple Store.
2. NPR
The NPR family of applications is perfect for staying up-to-date on all the latest news. The organization has three main offerings: NPR News, NPR One and NPR Music. The news app allows users to read or listen to recent news and easily share it with friends and family. NPR One takes this concept a step further by providing a curated blend of local and national news catered to your personal taste. NPR Music rounds out the organization's offerings with access to more than 100 public radio channels. The NPR collection of apps is available for free for both Android and Apple devices.
"The TED app provides access to more than 1,400 talks."
3. TED Talks
There are few things as interesting as a good TED Talk. TED, standing for technology, entertainment and design, is a conference that originated in 1984, bringing together innovative and creative thinkers to spread unique ideas. Today, TED Talks take place around the world and feature a wide range of tech geniuses, brilliant artists, world leaders and Nobel laureates. The application provides access to more than 1,400 TED Talks and it's easy to make playlists so you can watch multiple lectures in a row. The TED Talks app is available for free for both Android and Apple devices.
4. FlipBoard
FlipBoard pulls together interesting news from numerous reputable sources. The FlipBoard website refers to the app as "your personal magazine," and conglomerates news based on topics you choose. You can easily save stories when you're reading on the go, and the app connects to social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, so that users can share with friends and family. This cool application is free for both iPhone and iPad.
5. Epicurious
Epicurious apps are perfect for any avid home cook or aspiring baker. Besides having a database of more than 30,000 professionally tested recipes, Epicurious also offers an app of food-related games. The Epicurious Recipe app brings together a comprehensive menu of delicious dishes from world-renowned chefs, popular food magazines and internationally recognized restaurants. Whether you have a hankering for a specific meal or need to brainstorm culinary ideas for a special occasion, the Epicurious Recipe app can provide a recipe. This app makes it simple to store your favorite dishes, learn about what produce is in season and create a digital shopping list. Epicurious apps are available for free for both Android and Apple devices.
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