Looking for an easier way to stay on top of your health? Your smartphone is the perfect tool for managing your diet, activity levels, doctor's appointments and more. Find the right app, and you can check up on symptoms, browse specialists, make better food choices, or work on mindfulness with a quick tap of the screen: anywhere, anytime.
We've rounded up ten of our favourite apps for health-conscious seniors below, with more to come in the future. We've also included handy information on how to add apps to your phone, plus the difference between free apps, paid apps, and in-app purchases.
Apps for health care and appointments
Health Direct
Available on: Google Play, App Store
Supported by the Commonwealth and State governments, Health Direct is a simple, 100% doctor-approved source of health information and advice. It's a helpful tool for finding local practitioners (especially after-hours), and includes an easy-to-follow Symptom Checker.
Health Direct also includes factual, clinically-reviewed information on health conditions and medications. You can use the app to research and find health services near you, learn more about your current prescriptions, or determine the seriousness of symptoms when you're unwell - so although it's no substitute for a professional consult, it's an empowering tool for Australians wanting to take control of their health.
Health Engine
Available on: Google Play, App Store
Health Engine is the easy and free way to book and manage appointments with doctors, specialists and health practitioners. With a database of more than 11,000 registered clinics and services, the app simplifies the process of finding the right practice and appointment time for any health issue.
Health Engine allows users to find and book appointments instantly at any time, plus reschedule or cancel easily. You'll also get information on practitioners and health services, patient reviews, and directions to facilities. If you find yourself regularly juggling doctor's appointments, Health Engine is the simplest way to manage your health care 24/7.
Apps for brain training
Luminosity
Available on: Google Play, App Store
Developed by scientists and designers, Luminosity is a fun, challenging way to test and strengthen your brain. The free app includes over 40 specially-developed games, designed to test your core cognitive abilities.
Luminosity's mix of problem solving games, puzzles, memory tests, critical thinking and logic teasers adapt to your own abilities and patterns, so you can continue to work on the areas that need improving. You'll receive feedback on your strengths and weaknesses, plus a record of your achievements so far, so you'll always be motivated to beat that high score. If you're concerned about future cognitive decline, or just want a fun game with brain-boosting benefits, Luminosity is one of our favourites.
Apps for exercise and fitness
MapMyWalk
Available on: Google Play, App Store
Walking is one the easiest, cheapest and accessible ways to stay in shape, or amp up your existing fitness goals. And whether you're a beginner or a seasoned power-walker, MapMyWalk is the perfect free tool to keep track of your progress.
The app allows users to track and discover walking routes, save and improve on distance and time, record additional statistics such as pace, elevation and calories/kilojoules burned, and connect with other MapMyWalk users. There's even options for tracking other activities, such as running, cycling, cross training or yoga, so all your favourite fitness options are covered.
Daily Yoga
Available on: Google Play, App Store
If you'e looking for a beginner-friendly, low-impact exercise for mind and body, Daily Yoga's convenient workout plans are the gentle way to get into the practice without paying exorbitant studio fees. The app features options for new to advanced practitioners, with workouts focused on toning, weight loss, flexibility, strength, and more.
The app is free to use, although paid subscriptions are available if you're interested in premium features. In addition to detailed instructions on over 500 poses (plus 200 built-in HD yoga classes), Daily Yoga also features guided meditation and relaxation, an online community, and plenty of tools for you to track your progress.
Apps for healthy eating
MyFitnessPal
Available on: Google Play, App Store
Whether you're trying to lose fat, gain muscle, or simply eat better to feel better, MyFitnessPal is the ultimate app for tracking diet and exercise. With an easy-to-use daily food diary that automatically calculates the calories and nutritional value of most foods - plus a barcode scanner - it's an easy (and free) way to make healthier choices every day.
MyFitnessPal also includes tools for logging exercise and steps, so you can compare your 'calories in' and 'calories out' at a glance. Everything about the app is personalised, making it easy for users to set goals and work on positive lifestyle changes. You can also connect and sync other fitness apps and devices, add your friends, and join supportive online health and fitness communities.
SideChef
Available on: Google Play, App Store
Looking for some recipe inspiration that's also health-conscious? SideChef is a pocket library of more than 4000 recipes, searchable by diet, ingredients, keywords or cuisine. Each meal features step-by-step instructions and videos, shopping lists, voice instruction and clever tips, with options for beginners through to masterchefs.
While there's plenty of naughty foods listed, SideChef also makes it easy to find healthy options (and adjust serving and ingredient sizes to meet your needs). The app also lets users rate and review recipes, share photos and recipes with other SideChefs, and save favourite foods to a personal cookbook. With a fun, food-focused online community and plenty of healthy meal inspiration, SideChef is a great (and free!) way to master new recipes and learn new culinary skills.
Apps for sleep
Sleep Cycle
Available on: Google Play, App Store
If you've upgraded to a smartphone, why not a smart alarm clock? Sleep Cycle is a sleep tracker and morning alarm, that works with your body to find the right time to wake you each day. The app analyses your sleeping patterns and picks an optimal time during your lighter sleep phase to gently rouse you, so you're more likely to feel refreshed and fully awake.
Simply set a 30-minute window for when you need to wake up, place your phone by your bed, and Sleep Cycle does the rest - using sound and movement monitors to determine just which sleep phase you're in at all times. You'll also get access to your nightly sleep statistics, plus customisable alarm melodies.
Apps for women's health
Breast Check Now
Available on: Google Play, App Store
With around one in eleven Australian women diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, regular self-checks are one of the best ways to detect early changes and potentially save your life.
So if you need a monthly reminder to feel yourself up in the name of good health - or want to refine your breast-checking technique - Breast Check Now is a simple and free app that will help you create (and stick to) a self-check plan. You'll receive monthly notifications when it's time for a self-exam, plus the option to record notes after each check so you're on top of any changes.
Apps for mental health
Pacifica
Available on: Google Play, App Store
If you suffer from anxiety or depression - or just want to get in control of stressful or negative thinking - Pacifica is an easy-to-use, psychologist-designed app full of useful tools for managing mental health.
The app features plenty of self-help exercises, including mediation, mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy techniques, as well as mood and thought tracking and daily challenges. Users are also part of a supportive community of peers, so you'll have plenty of resources for overcoming anxious or stressful thinking. Pacifica is free to download and use, but there are premium paid subscriptions available if you'd like unlimited access to all features.
How to find apps
You'll need to find and download an app to your phone before you can use it, but where you'll need to go to do this depends on the brand of your phone. You'll also need to be connected to the internet, either through WiFi or your mobile network.
If you're a new iPhone user, apps are available from the App Store. Tap the blue App Store icon on your phone, and it will take you to the Store where you can browse apps by category and popularity, or search for specific apps by name. Once you find an app you like, tap it for more info, reviews, and screenshots, or hit the GET icon to download.
You'll need an Apple ID to download and buy apps on your iPhone. This was probably set up when you first got your phone, but for more help, you can read up on Apple IDs and iCloud here.
If you're not using an iPhone, you're probably the proud owner of an Android device - it's the go-to operating system for brands such as Samsung, Huawei, Google, Nokia, Sony, LG, Motorola and more. In this case, you can find apps by opening the Google Play Store on your device.
Once you've found and opened Google Play, you'll need to be signed in with your Google account in order to download apps. If you don't already have this set up, you can create one by opening the Settings app on your phone, then scrolling to Accounts and selecting Add Account. Tap Google, then follow the prompts to enter your personal info.
Like Apple's App Store, the Google Play Store allows you to browse and search for apps by name and subject. Found an app you want to try? Tap the three dots to the side of the app name and select Install, or tap the app name for more information.
What about paid apps and in-app purchases?
While all the apps we've listed in this article are free, you will find some applications require you to pay an upfront charge to download and use them. If you do tap on a paid app, you'll receive a pop-up asking you to sign in or verify your account before making the purchase, so you're unlikely to buy an app by accident.
Other apps are free to download, but feature in-app purchases - the ability to buy added features or extras from within the app. This mostly applies to games, but again, if you are using an app with this feature, you'll be prompted to confirm your purchase via your Apple ID or Google account before buying.
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