There are so many Apps being developed all the time; to make everyday life easier to manage and promote independence and safety at home and when out and about. The ILC Therapists have searched for some that we think could be helpful and you can read about them here. These Apps are produced and maintained by third parties and are included as information, not as a recommendation. See our Apps disclaimer.
View our app suggestions below for staying safe at home and when out and about:
Family Locator by Life 360: Life 360 works by tracking someone else who also has the app and has been added to your “circle”. Within a circle, everyone can track one another. You can have up to 10 people in a circle and you can have more than one circle. You can also set up geofencing around certain locations for individual users from 250 feet up to 2 miles. Pros: Allows tracking of multiple users with an SOS option. Cons: Yearly or monthly prescription for premium upgrades which the app advertises a lot – could lead to accidental sign up. Cost: £1.84-£54.99 per item. Apple or Android. Version: 5.5.3 Storage Space: 31MB. See website for an up-to-date version.
Red panic button by Ultimate communication software Ltd: The application enables users to push a central button on their phone screen to allow immediate contact with a carer, friend, or family member who can respond or contact the emergency services, with details of your location. Pros: Allows for quick SOS email/text/social media link when the user needs help. Cons: Can reduce battery life even when not in use, as it is always tracking your location. Apple or Android. Version: 1.4.109. Storage Space: 21.1MB. Cost: £4.99
My SOS family by my SOS Ltd: SOS alert app works when the user presses and holds the ‘help me’ button in the app, it sends an automated help text, email, or call to the nominated person/s number with a link to the user’s Google map location. There is an option for the person to add text or photo with a reason for needing help. The app can also be opened and help requested through a voice-activated virtual assistant (e.g. Alexa) or help activated by a voice trigger phrase within the first minute of opening the app. It also has the facility to set a timer with a custom message, so if the person is unable to cancel because something’s happened (e.g. not returning from the toilet in the expected time due to a fall), SOS alerts are automatically sent when the countdown reaches zero. Pros: The person receiving the notification can reply to take ownership, and the app then notifies other responders that the help request is being dealt with. Cons: The person needs to recognise the need for help and be able to open the app to access the help button. Apple or Android. Version: 3.1 Storage space: 73.3MB, Cost Free 30-day trial then a monthly or yearly subscription £3.49/£33.99.
ICE – In Case of Emergency: ICE – ‘In case of Emergency’ is an app that allows emergency medical information and contact details to be accessed by emergency services or others without requiring passwords to unlock the phone. The information sits on the user’s lock screen. Pros: Very easy to set up and can have multiple contacts on the screen. Cons: Not all symbols are clear and the font size is often unable to be changed/not working on the app. Cost: Free to download with in-app purchases. Android Only. Version: 2.1.3 Space Required: 4.0M