Digital Tools for Daily Health & Wellbeing
By The Primary Health Awareness Trust
Technology isn’t just for emails and games. It can also help you stay well — by reminding you to take medication, tracking your steps, or helping you speak to your GP from home.
In this guide, we’ll explore the most helpful health-related digital tools for older adults — all in plain English, with practical examples.
Medication Reminder Apps
These free apps can alert you when it’s time to take tablets or vitamins. Some even let you tick off doses and track side effects.
- Medisafe – Shows a list of your meds and reminds you at set times
- Pill Reminder (Android/iPhone) – Simple setup, large display, easy to use
You can also use your phone’s built-in alarm or calendar to set a daily reminder like: “Take morning tablets – 9:00 AM”.
Fitness & Step Trackers
Many phones track your steps automatically — you don’t need a fitness watch. Open your phone’s “Health” app (iPhone) or “Google Fit” (Android) to see:
- How far you’ve walked
- Calories burned
- Daily trends over time
These gentle reminders can encourage movement and improve heart health — even 10-minute walks make a difference.
The NHS App – A Helpful Digital Companion
The free NHS App lets you:
- Order repeat prescriptions
- View test results
- Check your vaccination status
- Manage GP appointments
It’s secure and easy to use once set up. Ask a family member or your surgery to help you log in — or join our Zoom NHS App Setup Support session.
Other Helpful Tools
- Sleep trackers – Help you notice poor sleep patterns
- Blood pressure log apps – Track readings from home monitors
- Mindfulness apps – Like “Calm” or “Headspace” for guided breathing
Remember: these tools don’t replace your GP — they support your self-care between visits.
What If I’m Not Sure Which to Try?
That’s perfectly normal. Start with just one:
- Set a reminder for a medication
- Check your step count at the end of the day
- Explore the NHS App home screen
Every small action builds confidence — and supports your cognitive resilience: the ability to stay curious, adaptive, and in charge of your wellbeing. You can explore more tools in our Cognitive Resilience Hub.
Coming Up: Building Full Confidence Online
In Blog 10, we’ll reflect on what you’ve learned and help you take your next step with full digital confidence — including how to support others too.
➡ Read Blog 10: Becoming a Tech-Confident Older Adult