We tend to associate technology with the younger generation, yet, older adults are surprisingly proficient with modern technology. Perhaps it’s not surprising, then, that tablet apps for seniors are becoming increasingly popular.
In fact, 59% of Americans aged 65 and above go online and 77% of this population use cell phones. Plus, 23% of this population actively plays games using cellphones, computers, or gaming systems. Impressive, right?
This suggests that the idea of seniors and tablets isn’t really as absurd as it first sounds. Not only do these figures indicate significant technology use, but the numbers are continuing to grow.
And sure, cellphones are popular too, but tablets can be an even better choice. Their screen size tends to make them easier for seniors to see than cell phones, which offers a pretty major advantage.
Picking Tablet Apps and Games
The range of apps and games for tablets can be daunting. For example, some of the categories include puzzle, word, casual, card and board games – and that isn’t even counting the more practical apps, like audiobook players and eBook readers.
This can be pretty overwhelming even if you were just looking for a small number of Apple or Android apps for seniors.
We conducted a scan of games and apps available on tablets and also talked to seniors to create this collection of recommendations.
The lists below highlight some of the most powerful apps and games for seniors, along with why they matter. Further on, we look at why tablets work well for seniors and other areas to consider. All apps discussed are free unless otherwise noted.
Tablet Apps for Seniors
Casual Games
The Angry Birds Series
The Angry Birds games are fun and silly. They’re puzzle games, but the simple control and fun graphics make the series a good pick for seniors.
The main games in the range involve shooting birds out of a slingshot to knock down various structures. The game Angry Birds 2 (for Apple and Android) is a good place to begin.
There is also Angry Birds Friends (for Apple and Android), which follows similar ideas, except that there is a strong social component. Games like this can be a fun way to interact with other people remotely.
The series has now spawned other games that use the same characters, but follow different styles. For example, Angry Birds Evolution (for Apple and Android) is an RPG-style game and Angry Birds Dream Blast (for Apple and Android) is a bubble popping game.
Any of the games could be a good choice for seniors. The simple style really does work well and it’s easy to get lost in the games.
Big Fish Casino
This free app (for Apple and Android) offers a range of casino games, including blackjack, poker, roulette and slots. The game starts users off with a certain number of chips and if you run out of these, real money must be spent to buy more.
FarmVille 2: Country Escape
FarmVille (and many similar apps) have attracted large audiences through Facebook and devices. This particular app (for Apple and Android) is FarmVille’s main tablet offering. It is a game that requires strategy, reading and planning, so it might not be suitable for all seniors.
However, some seniors enjoy the amount of thinking and strategy that is involved. This can be much more appealing than simplistic games.
Additionally, this game has a social element, allowing players to join a co-op, where they can help one another and chat to one another. I’ve seen players get so caught up in the chat that they barely touch the rest of the game.
There is also a game called FarmVille 2: Tropic Escape (for Apple and Android). This one follows the same ideas and functions as the previous example, but with an island theme.
You might also come across FarmVille 3 – Animals (for Apple and Android).
That version looks good, but highlights one critical problem – compatibility. Some games will work well on any device without much issue. Others won’t. Some require specific types of devices, others are resource intensive, while still others take up a ton of space.
In fact, I can’t even review FarmVille 3, as it isn’t compatible with any of my devices. All tablets are different, so you’ll need to experiment to find out which apps work best. But, we do have a list of best tablets for seniors, which highlights some tablets that are worth trying.
Peggle Blast
Peggle Blast (for Apple and Android) looks complicated at first, but the game is easy to pick up and can be a lot of fun without being confusing. The original game and its sequel (Peggle and Peggle Nights) are both available for the computer, as full games that you can purchase.
Peggle Blast is the free version of the computer game and has in-app purchases. Many aspects of the game are the same as the original. The name relies on chance as much as anything, which can be a good thing for some people.
The Sims FreePlay
This task-based game (for Apple and Android) is a variation on the well-known computer game The Sims. The game follows a slice-of-life style, where users are directing their characters (Sims) and telling them to complete various tasks.
Like Farmville, many tasks take time, so it’s sometimes necessary to simply come back to the game later. However, The Sims requires less strategy, which can make it more appealing.
The Sims FreePlay is also a large and resource-intensive game (the initial download alone is around 800 MB), so it won’t work on all tablets.
EverMerge
This game (for Apple and Android) is generally considered a merging game. The idea is simple, you’re combining three or more of the same item to create something new. The game follows a fairy tale theme, where many of the characters should be familiar to users.
Merge games have simple principles and they’re often relaxing to play – especially this one. Yet, there is strategy involved too. The game can even get engrossing.
Relaxing tablet apps for seniors can be just as important as difficult ones. After all, you don’t always want to be thinking hard.
Gardenscapes
Gardenscapes (for Apple and Android) is one of many match-3 games. There are even spin-off games by the same company, including Wildscapes and Homescapes.
Match-3 games tend to rely on gem boards, where you are moving pieces to make matches of three or more. There are often specific goals for a board, such as clearing all the overgrown tiles or getting a certain number of green pieces.
The Candy Crush series (also for Apple and Android) is easily the most famous match-3 series out there and can be another good choice. However, we prefer Gardenscapes, as the game also focuses on building a pretty garden and landscaping.
This approach stops the game from feeling like an endless string of levels.
Just be aware that the game is fairly large at this point and updates can be a pain. You can’t download and then play the game nearly as quickly as with options like Candy Crush Saga.
A Note on Free Games
Many of these free tablet apps for seniors, particularly games, use a freemium model. This means that the game is free to play, but there are various in-app purchases.
While this style works well most of the time, it’s important to weigh up what will work for your situation. In particular, many freemium games give people a limited amount of energy that recharges. To get energy faster, you need to pay money.
The energy limit can be incredibly frustrating for people who want to play for long periods at a time. And, for some seniors, the whole idea might be confusing.
If you’re worried about this style, look for paid games instead, particularly those that get good reviews. Having to pay up-front for a game can be frustrating, but most paid games don’t have in-app purchases, so they’re less confusing for users.
Memory/Brain/Puzzle Games
Block Puzzle & Conquer
This Apple and Android game has an odd name, but it is basically just a block puzzle. The goal is to fit blocks within a shape – without rotating them.
It is simple to understand but can get challenging as people progress through the game. The app is easy to use too, which is always a bonus.
Jigsaw Puzzles Epic
Jigsaw puzzles are a fantastic option for seniors, and doing them on the tablet is an easier option. Jigsaw Puzzles Epic (for Apple and Android) is a free app that comes with a large number of puzzles.
Users can choose how many pieces their puzzle is (from 4 to 400) and also whether the pieces of the puzzle can rotate or not.
More puzzles can be purchased from the in-game store, but the free puzzles should last most people for a long time.
Minesweeper
Minesweeper is a classic puzzle game where the objective is to clear a board of tiles without detonating hidden mines, using numerical clues to deduce safe squares. It sharpens logic and deduction skills, making it an excellent tablet game choice for seniors seeking both entertainment and cognitive exercise. For a touch-friendly and intuitive experience, seniors can enjoy Minesweeper at Play Minesweeper where the game is available in beginner, intermediate, and expert modes.
Wordscapes
Wordscapes is a fun series for anyone who enjoys word puzzles. The classic version can be found for Apple and Android by following the links. The same company has other versions too, like Word Flower and Word Vista.
The versions are all slightly different, but the basic idea is that you get a circle of letters and need to work out what words can be made from them. While the initial puzzles are easy, the levels start to get challenging before long.
There is a hints feature too, along with competitions, daily puzzles, and a social aspect. These features all help to make the app more interesting. They also reduce the risk that a user will get completely stuck on a puzzle and unable to progress.
Another bonus is the tablet version ends up with very large print (which doesn’t show in the screenshots, as these were from a phone). The large print is perfect for seniors with eyesight difficulties.
Wordscapes Search
Speaking of classic word searches, there is a new entry in the Wordscapes family that is perfect for Wordscapes fans. This is available on Apple and Android (just like most of the apps on this list).
The app has the same level-based focus as Wordscapes, so users progress through levels, rather than choosing puzzles. These start off basic and get progressively more difficult.
The style can be appealing. Having individual levels to work through like this provides a sense of progression, rather than simply doing the same thing over and over again
Words With Friends 2
Words With Friends (for Apple and Android) is a turn-based social game that plays like Scrabble. The social element of the game comes from the way that you play against other people, taking turns with them.
The game also gives you the ability to chat with the people you are playing against, which can be good if seniors are playing against friends. The free version has ads, which can be a pain, but the social aspect of the game can be appealing to seniors.
There is an original and a classic version of the game if you don’t like Words with Friends 2.
Solitaire
This game is exactly what the name suggests – basic solitaire. There’s nothing complicated here. While there are many versions of solitaire, the one we suggest comes from the company MobilityWare (for Apple and Android).
This particular version has more than 100 million downloads on Google Play and an average rating of 4.5. The basic version is free and is supported by ads. If the ads get annoying, you can opt for the paid version instead.
There are various extra features, like daily goals, for people who are looking for a little more – or you can just stick to solitaire itself.
Mahjong Solitaire
There are many Mahjong games out there, but once again, we’re sticking to the version from MobilityWare (for Apple and Android).
The game looks good and plays well. There are some interesting options too, like the ability to choose between traditional Mahjong tiles and tiles that look like playing cards.
You can also choose whether playable tiles are highlighted or not. Highlighting playable tiles makes the same easier, but some Majong lovers would hate the idea.
Freecell
Freecell is a strategic solitaire card game where the objective is to move all cards onto foundation piles, organized by suit in ascending order, using eight tableau columns and four free cells for temporary storage. The game requires careful planning and sharpens cognitive skills, making it especially beneficial for seniors seeking a stimulating yet relaxing pastime on their tablets. Play Freecell on Solitaired.com or find Freecell on the app store..
Entertainment Tablet Apps for Seniors
Kindle
There are many eBook reading apps for devices and Kindle (for Apple and Android) is just one of them. Kindle can be a good choice, as buying books through the app (or online) is relatively simple and the prices are often reasonable.
In fact, you can buy Kindle books from the Amazon store. Most apps for eBook reading offer options to make the book easier to read, such as increasing font size or altering the contrast. Using this type of app can be a great way for seniors to read and give you the ability to make any book into a large-print book.
There is also a program called Kindle Unlimited. This has a monthly fee and provides unlimited access to a wide range of eBooks and audiobooks. While many books are excluded from the plan, it can be a fantastic choice for fast readers or people who aren’t certain what type of book they want.
Audible
Audible (for Apple and Android) is one of many apps for playing audiobooks. As with Kindle, this app makes it easy to buy books, and both Kindle and Audible are tied into Amazon.
The books can be a bit on the expensive side, but Audible offers a monthly plan that gives users one audiobook per month and 30% off all other audiobooks. This is a great option for seniors who have trouble reading (or don’t want to).
Netflix
Although it’s membership-based ($7.99/month), Netflix (for Apple and Android) is a great way for seniors to watch movies and television shows.
Its competitor Hulu (also for Apple and Android) is also a good option ($7.99/month for Hulu Plus, free for basic Hulu), as Hulu often has more classic shows than Netflix offers. If you have a network subscription, you may be able to access other apps, like HBO Go, which lets you stream content from specific networks.
Need a Tablet?
We take a look at the various options, what they have to offer, and how they compare. Hit the button to find out more!
Other Tablet Apps for Seniors
Big Launcher
This app (for Android). creates a new home screen for Android devices which much larger icons. This can enhance readability for seniors who struggle to see icons on devices, particularly on smaller devices.
This is one of the relatively few Apple or Android apps for seniors that has actually specifically been designed for this population. I found the app useful, but it works better on some devices than on others.
There are other apps by the same company that provide large font in other areas, like BIG Phone for Seniors and BIG SMS for Seniors.
A similar app is called Simple Launcher. This one tends to get better reviews, although the icons aren’t as large.
Medication Apps
Various apps can help with medication management. This includes offering medication reminders and helping to keep track of medication.
We’ve covered these in another post, but a particularly good one to start off with is the Medisafe Pill Reminder & Medication app.
There is a wide range of different medication reminder apps that can be very useful for anyone taking multiple medications. I covered these in another post, so I’m not going to go into detail about them here.
Google Photos
Google Photos is a service that Google offers. It provides a way to backup and organize photos, while sometimes also making interesting creations from your images.
The service is available as an app (with more than 25 million downloads through the Google Play store). It can be downloaded as an app for Windows phones, Apple phones and Android phones. It can also be accessed online and through apps for Windows computers.
While storing your own photos is a key feature of the app, there are other interesting features too, such as:
- The ability to easily share photos between family members. This is a powerful way for seniors to stay up-to-date with their family, particularly their grandchildren.
- Automatic organization features, including albums and the ability to search by place, person or item. For example, searching ‘garden’ will use Google AI to bring up photos that relate to gardens and the outdoors.
- Automatic backups can be setup (or turned off) – perfect for seniors who take photos regularly but do not have the technical knowhow to back them up.
Choosing Good Apps
We’ve talked about a number of different apps here, but we’ve only scratched the surface.
Both Apple and Android have immense stores that are constantly updated with new apps. This means the options for Apple and Android apps for seniors are pretty much endless.
Look at Categories and Interests
One of the first things to look at when picking apps for seniors is to explore the type of app the senior may enjoy.
This may take trial and error, and patience. But, app stores have categories, such as puzzle and casual games. You can also search for a specific type of app, like ‘word search’, although doing so won’t give you precise results.
When deciding on apps, the star rating can also give an indication of app quality. Typically four- or five-star apps are worth trying while anything three stars or under is questionable.
In many cases, though, it may be a case of downloading apps and trying them out. I don’t recommend this for paid apps, but there is a huge number of free apps in the apps stores that you can choose from.
Consider Physical and Mental Limitations
Many seniors will be limited in what apps they can enjoy because of physical or mental issues. Thinking about these limitations can help you to figure out what types of apps might be most suited for them.
- For example, seniors who have problems with their eyesight might benefit from audiobooks instead of eBooks. Seniors who have failing hearing can use a headset with the tablet (which makes things less annoying for you too). This makes it easier for them to hear what is going on.
From the mental perspective, some seniors will struggle with games that are complex or challenging mentally, while others won’t have an issue.
This means that you may have to look for games that are simple to play.
This is particularly true for people with dementia, as they can become frustrated easily. Yet, they can enjoy easy games, especially ones where losing isn’t possible. For example, one study found that bingo could increase mental functioning in participants with Alzheimer’s disease.
Other types of games that can work include puzzle games and simple matching games.
At present, there are few apps available that were specifically developed for seniors, but this is changing. Research is beginning to focus on developing games for seniors. Hopefully, this means that more games will be available in the future.
Nevertheless, many of the games designed for other age groups are still very suitable for seniors.
Certainly, seniors really can enjoy games on tablets, even though their skill levels can vary dramatically.
For example, an elderly woman I know plays Angry Birds, because the controls are relatively easy to use. Although she enjoys the game, she doesn’t fully understand the physics or strategy behind it, so ends up repeating levels frequently.
In contrast, my dad has dementia, yet he is still able to play blackjack online (quite successfully too, I might add), which continues to surprise the family. It must be because of years spent playing blackjack in real casinos – but it’s a strong indication that seniors can be capable of more than we imagine.
What to Expect with a Tablet
The term tablet refers to touchscreen-based computers that tend to be light and easily portable (like the one in the image). The iPad is one of the more well-known examples of these, although there are many others.
Because they are a type of computer, tablets have their own operating system and can run a large number of applications (apps), including many different games.
Tablets may range from a screen size of around 5 inches all the way up to around 10 inches, with screen sizes from 7 to 10 inches being the most common. Most tablets will run either an Apple or an Android operating system, which is why this article provides links to the iTunes store (for Apple) or the Google Play store (for Android).
In fact, many people try to find the best Apple or Android apps for seniors, but with so many options out there, it can be a pretty confusing task.
The touch screen interface of these devices tends to be relatively easy for seniors to learn and many of them tend to pick up on what to do very easily. Larger tablets work best for seniors, especially those with poor eyesight, as these have larger font sizes and the onscreen buttons tend to be bigger.
The Appeal of Tablets for Seniors
For caregivers and for seniors, tablets can be appealing in a number of ways.
- One important appeal is that the games on tablets can keep seniors mentally active. Research has indicated that cognitive activity may be one key component in helping to decrease the negative effects of aging on cognition.
- Another appeal is that tablet games can give seniors something to do with their spare time, keeping them entertained and engaged. This can be particularly important for caregivers who want a little bit of a break.
- In some cases, tablet apps can even be a way of keeping seniors socially engaged, as some games allow for multiple online players or support communication between individuals. This can be particularly good for seniors who struggle to leave the house.
- Likewise, seniors may play the same games as one another, offering them the chance to talk to each other about the games.
With so many different types of games available for tablets, you should be able to find games that work for any senior, with a little bit of searching.
Teaching and Learning
As you might expect, there is a bit of a learning curve with tablets. Some seniors will be able to pick up on how to use tablets and games easily. Others will need more teaching.
The main thing that you may need to teach seniors is the basics of interacting with a tablet.
Tablets use touch screens, which are easy to understand. However, seniors do need to learn how to touch the screen to get the desired outcome and learn the impacts that their actions have on the device.
Seniors often learn to use the touch screen relatively easily, but may sometimes find specific tasks challenging.
- For example, one elderly woman I know can use a tablet for a number of games without any assistance, but still has trouble unlocking the tablet.
- Likewise, you may find that you have to teach and reteach some concepts multiple times.
- Some seniors may be able to figure out games intuitively, but others may need to be taught how to play specific games. This may be a matter of sitting down with them and stepping them through any new game they start.
At the end of the day, this is something you’ll have to figure out on a case-by-case basis. As seniors get better at using tablets, you’ll find that they pick up new games more easily and need less help in general.
Finding a Tablet
Most of the games that seniors will play on tablets aren’t particularly intensive in terms of graphics or processing power. Because of this, getting a good tablet for a senior doesn’t have to be an expensive investment.
In fact, if you have technically minded people in your extended family, you may be able to get one as a hand-me-down.
For example, I know a couple who recently upgraded to newer and faster tablets for personal use.
Their previous tablets ended up being gifted to their mothers. This provided a fantastic introduction into tablets for the seniors, without costing anyone any money.
Additionally, most of the apps discussed here can also be found for Android and Apple smartphones. Smartphones tend to have a much smaller screen, so aren’t suitable for all seniors, but they do offer an alternative to tablets for seniors who have good eyesight.
Need a Tablet?
We take a look at the various options, what they have to offer, and how they compare. Hit the button to find out more!
In The End
Tablets can be a wonderful way of keeping seniors entertained, and there are so many different apps available.
In this post, I’ve focused mostly on apps that I have had experience with and have seen seniors using, but there are many more out there. If you have other ideas for apps for seniors, please let me know in the comments below.
More than anything, the trick to finding the perfect apps for seniors is to engage them in the selection process.
This will let you see what they are most interested in and what type of games they enjoy the most.
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Radomir Odstrcil says
Some time ago I published my Android game – Minesweeper Dreams, which my father (senior) enjoys to play.
Maybe other can appreciate to try it out, as well.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.odstrcilsw.android.minesweeperdreams