Retirement doesn’t mean hanging up your hat
For many older Aussies, retirement is a chance to start fresh, give back to the community or turn hobbies into income.
10 apps for everyday life in retirement
Monday, 04 August 2025
Who says tech is just for the kids? These handy apps are here to make your retirement healthier, safer and more fun.
Retirement is the perfect time to focus on your health, pick up old hobbies (or try a few new ones) and enjoy the things that really matter. And these days? There’s an app for just about everything.
The tricky part is sorting through the endless options. With so many apps out there, finding the real gems can feel like searching for a needle in a digital haystack!
That’s why we’ve rounded up 10 tried-and-tested apps that help make every day life a little easier.
Health and medical
Emergency and safety
Fitness and wellbeing
Communication
Entertainment and hobbies
What is an app?
Think of an app (short for “application”) like a tool or program you can download onto your smartphone or tablet. Each app does something different, just like tools in a toolbox.
Some apps remind you to take your medication, help you video call your friends and family or listen to books instead of reading them. Others are just for fun, like games or streaming your favourite TV shows.
The best part? You don’t need to be a tech whiz. Most apps are designed to be simple, helpful and easy to navigate.
Read on for our list of 10 clever apps for everyday life in retirement.
Exploring what’s next, one tap at a time. Many retirees are making the most of retirement with helpful apps at their fingertips
🩺 Health and medical
1. Healthdirect- An app that acts like a pocket health assistant. Check symptoms, find local services and link to your My Health Record to view immunisations and test results.
Available on: iOS / Android
Cost: Free
2. Medisafe - A handy app for managing your medications with daily reminders, refill alerts and a visual pill organiser.
Available on: iOS / Android
Cost: Free (Premium from $7/month)
3. Express Plus Medicare - A secure way to access your Medicare account on the go. You can make claims, update details, view your Medicare card and even track your immunisations or prescriptions.
Available on: iOS / Android
Cost: Free
🚨 Emergency and safety
4. Emergency+ - Created by Australia’s emergency services, this app pinpoints your location and helps you quickly contact 000 during an emergency.
Available on: iOS / Android
Cost: Free
Some apps remind you to take your medication, help you video call your friends and family or listen to books instead of reading them
☀️Fitness and wellbeing
5. SilverSneakers GO - Designed for older adults, this app offers low-impact workouts for cardio, strength, balance and flexibility, complete with easy video demonstrations.
Available on: iOS / Android
Cost: Free
6. Headspace - A meditation and mindfulness app with guided sessions, soothing soundscapes and daily breathing exercises to help reduce stress and improve sleep.
Available on: iOS / Android
Cost: Free trial, then approx. $18/month or $96/year (AUD)
💬 Communication
7. Google Meet / FaceTime - Easy-to-use video calling apps to stay in touch with loved ones, whether they’re down the road or across the world.
Available on: Google Meet (iOS / Android), FaceTime (iOS only)
Cost: Free
With apps on your smartphone or tablet, you could feel more connected, healthier and have more fun every single day
🎧 Entertainment and hobbies
8. Audible- Access thousands of audiobooks read by professional narrators. Great for multitasking or relaxing without needing to read.
Available on: iOS / Android
Cost: Free trial, then from $16.45/month
9. Words with Friends - A modern spin on Scrabble that keeps your brain active and lets you challenge friends in fun wordplay battles.
Available on: iOS / Android
Cost: Free (with in-app purchases)
10. Skillshare - Whether it’s photography, painting, gardening or learning a musical instrument, Skillshare offers short, beginner-friendly video lessons. Perfect for picking up a new hobby at your own pace.
Available on: iOS / Android
Cost: Free trial, then approx. $36/month or $219/year (AUD)
💡 Bonus tip: Be Connected - While it's not an app, the Be Connected website is an Australian Government resource that offers free online courses, how-to guides and local support to help older Australians feel more confident using technology.
Available at: www.beconnected.esafety.gov.au
Cost: Free
🤝Don’t forget the human touch
These apps can help make life easier but they can’t take the place of a chat with a friend, a visit with family or guidance from your doctor. Always speak to a qualified healthcare professional for medical advice and remember: nothing beats a good old-fashioned conversation.
Ready to get started?
With these apps on your smartphone or tablet, you could feel more connected, healthier and have more fun every single day. Visit the App Store or Google Play on your device and search for any of the above apps to start today.
For more information about the lifestyle and support offered at our retirement villages, call our customer service team on 1800 550 550 or send us an email here.
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