Tech it to the Limit

hand holding a phone selecting mobile apps

There’s an app for that.

We know seniors are using technology. Nearly 60 percent of all seniors use the Internet, including 37 percent of people age 80 and older, according to the Pew Research Center. Seniors use technology to get health information, monitor health conditions, keep up with their financial accounts, stay in touch with friends and family and for just fun.

Having a smartphone or tablet gives you access to literally millions of apps — programs you can download onto your mobile device. Some are free, and some you have to pay for, but you can find an app for just about anything, from tracking the weather to tracking your blood sugar level.

If you’re new to apps, here are few favorites to help you get you started, as you explore new possibilities for connecting with others.

1. Skype — Kids and grandkids in a different state and you don’t have the time or means to travel to see them regularly? With Skype, you can see them every day in the comfort of your own home, right on the screen of your smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer.

2. The Weather Channel — Knowing what Mother Nature has in store can help keep you safer in your home and on the road. The free Weather Channel app gives you weather forecasts, interactive radar maps and real-time weather alerts, as well as video of weather events from around the world.

3. Kindle or Audible — If you love reading or listening to books, these apps can make it easier for you to enjoy reading. The Kindle app allows you to adjust the text size and brightness on your device screen, and Audible allows you to hear your favorite books. You’ll need a Kindle or Audible subscription to read or listen to books through these apps, but the apps themselves are free to download.

4. WebMD — While you should always talk to your doctor about health concerns, WebMD is a great resource for health information. This free app lets you research conditions, check symptoms, get information on medications and treatments and check local health listings.

5. Medisafe — Medisafe is great, free way to help you keep track of your medications. The app helps you remember when to take your pills and also allows you to track blood pressure, glucose levels and other important health numbers.

6. Your bank’s mobile app — Whether you use a big mega-bank or a small community bank, chances are your bank has an app. Typically, bank apps allow you to view your account balances and transactions, pay bills online, order checks and even find branch locations and ATMs.

7. Words with Friends — This is a fun app to challenge your brain as well as connect with friends or other players. The game is like Scrabble. You get a set of letters, and you have to make words out of them.

8. Waze — Here is an app to help you find the fastest route to a destination. It helps users locate traffic, accidents and even road debris and potholes.

9. TED Talks — A great tool for those who love to learn, the app features videos talks from inspiring people all over the world.

10. Magnifying Glass with Light — This turns your phone into a magnifying glass with accompanying light.

11. Lyft — A ride-sharing app that lets you request a ride, you’ll be on your way with a friendly driver within minutes. Check out this video: Life is better when you share a ride.