Mobile health apps can help older Americans but only about four in 10 use them, and those most likely to benefit are least likely to take advantage of them, a new survey reveals.
Health apps monitor everything from calories and exercise to blood pressure and blood sugar. They also help users manage chronic conditions or achieve health goals.
What the study shows
"Now that most older adults have at least one mobile device, health-related apps can provide an opportunity to support their health-related behaviors, manage their conditions and improve health outcomes," says Dr. Pearl Lee, a geriatrician at Michigan Medicine-University of Michigan who worked on the poll report.
But this phone poll of more than 2,100 Americans between 50 and 80 years of age found that only 44% had ever used a health app on their smartphone, tablet or wearable device.
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Respondents who were least likely to have done so included those in poor health and those with lower levels of education or income, according to the National Poll on Healthy Aging from the University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation.
People with incomes over $100,000 were nearly three times more likely than those with incomes under $30,000 to use health apps (43% versus 15%). Those with college degrees were more than twice as likely to do so as those who had not completed high school.
Half of those who never used a health app or who stopped said they have no interest in doing so, the findings showed.
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How health apps can help older adults
Many apps can be useful to seniors, according to AARP and Senior Living.org, an organization for older people and their caregivers.
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In all, 28% of respondents in the new poll said they currently use at least one health app. One-third said they use an app to track their physical activity, while smaller numbers use apps to keep tabs on sleep, weight, nutrition or blood pressure, to guide meditation, or manage mental health and stress.
One-quarter of current users said they have shared information from their apps with their health care providers, according to a news release from Michigan Medicine.
Among respondents with diabetes, only 28% said they use an app to record their blood sugar levels while 14% use an app to log their medications. Nearly half of respondents with diabetes said they would be interested in using an app in both ways.
The poll also asked participants about continuous glucose monitors, which people with diabetes wear on their skin to monitor their blood sugar over the long term. The monitors can connect with mobile devices to feed readings into an app.
Only 11% of the respondents with type 2 diabetes said they use this type of monitor. Another 68% had heard of them, and more than half of those said they might be interested in using one, the survey found.
"People who describe their health as fair or poor — the people who might be most in need of the kind of tracking, support and information a good health app can give — were significantly less likely to use such apps than those who say they're in excellent, very good or good health," according to poll director Dr. Preeti Malani, an infectious disease physician at Michigan Medicine with training in geriatrics.
5 health apps that can help
If you are looking to start using health-related apps, here are 5 apps to get you started:
1. MediSafe
Medisafe is one of the best apps for older adults to help them keep track of the number of pills they've taken, have left, or have to take in the various hours of the day. Medisafe is also great for keeping track of your blood pressure, glucose and other health problems. With this app, you'll also easily be able to share your results with your doctor.
2. MyFitnessPal
This app is great for seniors who are looking to take charge of their fitness journey. MyFitnessPal helps users lose weight, tone up, get healthy, change their habits, or start a new diet. With this app, you'll be able to track your calories and nutritional intake, set fitness goals and develop a workout and food plan to help you achieve your specific health goals.
3. MightyHealth
With Mighty Health, you'll get a health coach that will create a plan just for you. This app offers low-impact exercises that are easy on your joints and heart-healthy nutrition plans. Doctors and trainers back this app, which makes it easier for you to reach your goals in a safe and effective way.
4. Flip50
The Flip50 app is designed to ensure that every person over 50 is living a healthy lifestyle. Through this program, you'll get weekly plans tailored to your specific needs. This includes custom weekly menus, activity plans, and stress relief/self-care tips from experts. You'll also get access to gyms and classes, as well as discounts on massages and acupuncture.
5. Noom
Noom focuses on life-long results. It's an app for all ages that can help you get fit and eat healthy through cognitive behavioral therapy techniques. However, it can specifically help the older generation in a big way. A study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research Diabetes followed 14,767 of Noom's participants and found older adults were able to safely and effectively lose weight during the program. Losing weight helps many seniors decrease their risk of diabetes and other health issues.
This list is just a starting point of several apps that are available to enhance your health. Check them out. All can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play.
