Table 1.
Cost and function of 15 smartphone apps for older adults to use daily while in isolation during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
| App Name | Developer | Cost | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Networking Apps | |||
| FaceTime | Roberto Garcia, Apple Engineer | Free app built into Apple products upon purchase | May be used on any Apple products including iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, and MacBook; enables phone and video call communication, either one-on-one or in groups between Apple product users. |
| Skype | Skype Technologies | Free to download the app and use features domestically. $2.99 monthly subscription for international use. | May be used on mobile devices and computers; allows for communication between Skype users via one-on-one or group phone or video calls. |
| Medical Apps: Telemedicine | |||
| Teladoc | Teladoc | Free to download app. Expenses depend on the user’s health insurance (accept Medicaid, Medicare, and some commercial insurance). Per the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) guidance, telehealth is covered at the same rate as in-person visits during the COVID-19 crisis. | Connects patients to a board-certified doctor 24/7 through phone visits. If needed, a prescription can be sent to the patient’s pharmacy. |
| K Health: Primary Care | K Health Inc. | Free to download app. Expenses depend on the user’s insurance. Per CMS guidance, telehealth is covered at the same rate as in-person visits during the COVID-19 crisis. | Provides digital primary care for patients and free risk assessments for COVID-19. |
| Doctor on Demand | Phil McGraw, Jay McGraw, Adam Jackson | Free to download app. App works with or without insurance and is available at reduced rates through many major health plans and large employers. The average cost of a video consultation copay with insurance is $24, and $99 flat rate fee without insurance. Per CMS guidance, telehealth is covered at the same rate as in-person visits during the COVID-19 crisis. | Provides face-to-face digital connection with a doctor, psychiatrist or psychologist through video on people’s iPhone or iPad; provides urgent care, behavioral health, preventive health, and chronic care management; provides services in many languages when appointment is scheduled. |
| Medical Apps: Prescription Management | |||
| GoodRx-Save on Prescriptions | Trevor Bezdec | Free to download, but individuals may opt to purchase GoodRx Gold membership for $5.99/month per individual (and $9.99/month for up to six family members, including pets) for greater discount on prescriptions | An online app that finds prescription discounts and offers medication coupons. |
| Medisafe Medication Management (Medisafe) | Rotem Shor | Medisafe is free, but Medisafe premium monthly subscription is $4.99/month, and premium yearly subscription is $39.99/year. | Provides personalized medication reminders for each medication; provides vital drug interaction warnings; keeps users connected with caregivers through real-time missed medication alerts. |
| Health & Fitness Apps | |||
| Calm | Michael Acton Smith and Alex Tew | Free to download and use limited version of app. Free 7-day trial of the premium version after which access costs $12.99/month, $59.99/year, and $299.99 for a lifetime subscription | App for mindfulness and meditation to lower stress and improve sleep. |
| Headspace: Meditation & Sleep | Headspace Inc. | Free to download, but costs $12.99 per month for access to the meditation sessions beyond the introductory ones. Alternatively, can cost $95 for an annual subscription. | Relaxation app with guided meditation and mindfulness techniques to lower stress and improve sleep. |
| Yoga: Down Dog | Yogi Buddhi Co. | Free to download app. Monthly subscription is $7.99/month, but until May 1st, users have access to all features due to COVID-19. | Allows users to practice yoga in their homes with over 60,000 configurations to create a new workout daily. Includes beginner and tailored OA classes. |
| MyFitnessPal | Under Armour Inc. | Free version available. Premium access costs $49.99 per year. | Online calorie counter and diet plan. Users can log exercise and step count. |
| Food & Drink Apps | |||
| DoorDash-Food Delivery | DoorDash Inc. | Free to download but delivery and platform service fee and fee for meal; subscription fee of $9.99 a month available to receive unlimited, no-fee deliveries on orders of $15 or more (but subscription is currently only available in some areas). | Food delivery service. Allows users to order food from participating restaurants and cafes. |
| Instacart | Maplebear Inc. | Free to download, but fee for delivery service (can be paid per delivery basis, but delivery is free with monthly membership of $9.99 or annual membership of $99 | Same-day grocery delivery that allows users to request specific items from grocery stores. |
| Apps for Visual & Hearing-Impairment | |||
| Be My Eyes-Helping the Blind | Hans Jorgen | None | Connects blind and visually impaired people with sighted people who assist them with tasks. |
| Glide - Live Video Messenger | Glide | Free to download, and free for the first 90 days. A 3-month subscription costs $1.99, and a 1-year subscription costs $6.99. | Allows you to send “lightning-fast” video messages, enabling on-demand communication using sign language and visuals. |
COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019.
OA, older adult.