news&views Winter 2019 | Page 6

From the CEO Daniel Mulloy | CEO and Executive Director, ARTA These Smartphones Are Actually Smart Like them or not, smartphones have become a way of life. While many people have embraced the advent of the smartphone, there are many who are still unsure of the benefi ts a smartphone can have for them, other than being a really good telephone. Retired adults are not usually targets for high-tech products. Built around teenagers and young adults, the iPhone and Android app market is fl ooded with games and social media programs for those generations. However, many applications (apps) — even those designed for any age group — aid the lives of older adults and give them helpful tools for making everyday life easier. While I am not trying to convince you to go out and buy the latest smartphone, I do believe that there are great benefi ts to smartphones that people can take advantage of. Many helpful apps can actually make life easier and perhaps even help you out in a jam. Here is a list of some innovative apps for people at any age: Find Your Car with AR - Parking lots can be confusing, and trying to locate your car among hundreds of other vehicles frustrates even the most patient driver, young or old. Car Finder 6 | arta.net AR helps you remember where you parked your car and uses augmented reality and 3D Google Maps to fi nd your parking spot. The app uses the GPS from your phone to give you walking directions back to your vehicle. medications by colour and drag them into the sectioned pillbox graphic to easily organize your prescription schedule. This useful app ensures you will never again forget to take your daily medications. Lumosity - The aging process often aff ects memory, frustrating seniors who make great eff orts to stay mentally active. Keep your mind sharp with this clever memory-improvement app that contains hundreds of games and puzzles. Designed by neuroscientists, Lumosity is proven to benefi t memory recall and information retention. Magnifying Glass With Light - As the name indicates, this simple app permits operators with less than perfect eyesight to zoom in and turn on the fl ashlight for ease of reading. This app is perfect for reading small print menus, pill bottles, or any other small print items. Pillboxie - The Pillboxie app reminds you to take medications at the scheduled times you set. Customize your Blood Pressure Monitor - Track your blood pressure and weight over time without having to call your doctor or comb through old records. The Blood Pressure Monitor app provides statistical information, periodic health reminders, and allows you to