How to Develop an Elderly Care Mobile App – Complete Guide

Updated 17 Jun 2024
Published 19 Jan 2023
Satyam Chaturvedi 3988 Views
Elderly Care Mobile App

Who doesn’t have a soft corner for their grandparents?

We all do. Right?

But in our hectic daily schedule, we become so preoccupied with striking a balance between jobs and personal life that we fail to give them the attention they deserve.

In the years following the COVID-19 pandemic’s spread, the mobile application development sector has emerged as a fantastic resource for finding workarounds.

Senior care app development is at the vanguard of this change, providing cutting-edge, user-friendly solutions that swiftly connect seniors to the resources they need.

These applications are making life easier for caretakers and promoting independence for elders by providing services such as prescription reminders, appointment booking, and remote monitoring.

Overview of the Senior Care App Market

The demand for senior care apps has substantially increased as more seniors and their caretakers turn to mobile devices for assistance with tasks such as continuous monitoring, scheduling appointments, communicating with family and friends, and finding local community services.

As stated in the UN DESA report, by 2050, one in six people will be over 65.

According to the research, the worldwide market was valued at $282 billion in 2019 and should grow with a CAGR of 7.9% by 2027.

Elderly Care Market
Image Credit: demigos.com

From innovative new businesses to established healthcare conglomerates, several groups and corporations provide senior care apps.

Not all caregiving apps are created equal; some are geared toward professional caregivers, while others are meant for elders and their caretakers. The annual cost of senior care apps in the United States is over $335 billion.

Why Develop an Elderly Care Mobile App?

There are several reasons why companies and organizations may decide to develop an elderly care mobile application:

Why Develop a Senior Care Mobile App?

To Help Seniors Manage their Health and Daily Activities

Many senior care apps offer tools and resources to help seniors manage their health and daily activities, such as tracking vital signs, managing chronic conditions, and staying organized.

These types of apps can be especially helpful for seniors, who may have difficulty leaving their homes or accessing support and resources in person.

To Help Caregivers Manage Caregiving Tasks

Caregiving can be a demanding and time-consuming task, and many senior care apps offer tools and resources to help caregivers manage caregiving tasks and stay organized.

These types of apps can include features such as scheduling tools, medication reminders, and communication tools.

To Improve Access to Healthcare

Some senior care apps offer telemedicine services, which can allow seniors to access healthcare from the comfort of their own homes. These types of apps can be especially helpful for seniors who may have difficulty traveling to see a healthcare provider in person.

To Help Seniors stay connected with loved ones

Many senior care apps offer social and communication tools, such as video and voice calling, messaging, and group chat, which can help seniors stay connected with loved ones and participate in social activities, even if they are not able to leave their homes.

To offer Additional Revenue Streams

For companies and organizations that offer senior care services, developing a mobile app can be a way to offer additional revenue streams and reach a wider audience.

To Improve Convenience

Many senior patient care apps offer features that make it easier and more convenient for patients to access healthcare, manage their daily tasks, and stay connected with loved ones.

For example, apps offering ride-hailing services or task assistance can help seniors get around and complete errands, even if they do not have a car or cannot drive.

Apps that offer telemedicine services can allow seniors to access healthcare from the comfort of their homes rather than traveling to see a healthcare provider in person.

To Improve Safety

Some senior care apps offer safety and emergency features, such as fall detection, location tracking, and panic buttons, which can help seniors stay safe and get assistance in case of an emergency.

These types of apps can be especially helpful for seniors who live alone or may be at higher risk for falls or other emergencies.

To Improve Quality of life

By providing seniors with tools and resources to manage their health and daily activities, stay connected with loved ones, and access support and resources, senior care apps can help improve seniors’ quality of life.

These types of applications can provide seniors with a sense of independence and autonomy while helping them stay engaged and involved in their communities.

To meet the needs of an Aging Population

As the population ages, there is an increasing demand for products and services that can help seniors manage their health and daily activities, stay connected with loved ones, and access support and resources.

Developing a senior care mobile app can be a way for companies and organizations to meet this demand and provide valuable products and services to seniors.

Develop an elderly Care App

Benefits of a Senior Care App

Wondering how seniors can utilize an elderly care app effectively? Let’s uncover some key benefits of the Senior Care App:

  • Quick search for caregivers: the freedom to look for caregivers who suit patients’ needs well without going through an agency.
  • Trust and transparency: Patients can evaluate the qualifications and backgrounds of various physicians by glancing at their profiles. They may also read reviews and recommendations to make an educated choice regarding an expert.
  • Safety: All caregivers must pass background checks, skill checks, interviews, and sometimes more training before they are granted access to the positions that are listed on reliable platforms.
  • Tracking: Platforms can save transaction histories, track the status of medical care, and notify family members of results. This saves caregivers from memorizing every detail of every medication plan and makes it easier for them to monitor how the patient’s conditions and therapy are developing.
  • Easy payment process: These platforms pay salaries and process taxes. Furthermore, they can make payments visible to clients who make service requests.
  • Reducing costs: The average hourly rate that home care agencies received in 2019 for the services they rendered to individual customers was $21. An independent caregiver who was registered on the website charged twenty to thirty percent less during this time. The difference concerns the thousands of dollars that are spent yearly on home care services that are acquired over an extended period of time. You may be able to cut costs while still receiving essential care by hiring on-demand help at a rate of $15–17 per hour.

Types of Senior Care Apps

1. Health and Wellness Apps

These types of apps can help seniors track and manage their health by providing features such as:

  • Monitoring Vital Signs:

Some apps allow seniors to track their blood pressure, heart rate, and other vital signs, and alert them if there are any concerning changes.

Health and Wellness Apps

Managing Chronic Conditions:

Caregiver schedule apps can help seniors manage conditions such as diabetes or heart disease with the help of reminders to take medications, track blood sugar levels, or monitor other important health metrics.

Exercise and Nutrition Tracking:

Many apps offer tools to help seniors track their physical activity and nutrition, such as by logging workouts and meals. Some apps also provide personalized exercise and nutrition plans.

Mental Health Support:

Some apps offer resources and tools to help seniors manage their mental health, such as relaxation techniques, mindfulness exercises, and access to mental health professionals through teletherapy.

Telemedicine Services:

Some apps offer virtual visits with healthcare providers, allowing seniors to access medical care from the comfort of their own homes.

Types of Senior Care Apps

2. Social and Communication Apps

These types of apps can help seniors stay connected with loved ones and participate in social activities by providing features such as:

Video and voice calling:

Apps that offer video and voice calling allow seniors to have face-to-face conversations with friends and family, even if they are not able to meet in person.

social media mobile app development

Messaging:

Apps that offer messaging features allow seniors to stay in touch with loved ones through text and chat, even if they don’t have a phone or prefer not to use one.

Group Chat:

Some apps offer group chat features, allowing seniors to participate in group conversations and stay connected with multiple people at once.

3. Safety and Emergency Apps

These types of apps can help seniors stay safe and get assistance in case of an emergency by providing features such as:

Fall Detection:

Some apps use sensors or other emerging technologies to detect if a senior has fallen, and can send an alert to a caregiver or emergency services if necessary.

Location Tracking:

Some apps allow caregivers or loved ones to track a senior’s location, which can be helpful in case of an emergency or if the senior is prone to wandering.

Emergency App Development

Panic Buttons:

Some apps offer panic buttons that a senior can use to send an alert to a designated caregiver or emergency services in case of an emergency.

4. Transportation and Mobility Apps

These types of apps can help seniors arrange transportation and find accessible routes by providing features such as:

Ride-Hailing Services:

Some apps offer ride-hailing services that allow seniors to request a ride from a licensed driver, which can be helpful if they do not have a car or are unable to drive.

Mobility App Development

Public Transit Information:

Apps that provide information about public transit options can help seniors find accessible and convenient ways to get around, even if they do not have a car.

Errand and Task Assistance:

Some apps offer assistance with tasks such as grocery shopping or picking up prescriptions, which can be helpful for seniors who have difficulty leaving their homes or completing these tasks on their own.

5. Home Management Apps

These types of apps can help seniors manage their daily tasks and stay organized by providing features such as:

Bill Payment:

Apps that allow seniors to pay bills online can help them manage their finances and avoid late fees.

Appointment Scheduling:

Apps that offer appointment scheduling can help seniors keep track of their appointments and provide reminders to help them stay on track.

Home Management App Development

Daily Schedule:

Some apps offer tools to help seniors organize their daily schedule, including reminders for medications and other tasks.

Medication Reminders:

Apps that offer medication reminders can help seniors remember to take their medications on schedule, which can be especially important for seniors taking multiple medications or managing chronic conditions.

Emergency Contacts:

Some apps allow seniors to store emergency contact information, such as the phone numbers of loved ones or healthcare providers, in a secure and easily accessible location.

Important Documents:

Apps that offer storage for important documents, such as medical records or advance directives, can help seniors keep track of important documents and make them easily accessible to caregivers or loved ones.

6. Home Security Apps

These types of apps can help seniors stay safe and secure at home by offering features such as:

Security Cameras: Apps that offer security cameras can allow seniors to monitor their homes remotely, or alert them to unusual activity.

Door and Window Sensors: Apps that offer door and window sensors can alert seniors if any doors or windows are opened, which can be helpful in case of a break-in or other emergency.

Alerts for Unusual Activity: Some apps offer alerts if they detect unusual activity, such as a person entering the home when it should be empty.

Key Considerations Before Starting Elderly Care App Development

Creating a mobile application for senior citizens is not a challenging task. While designing a mobile app for the elderly, it’s important to keep a few things in mind.

Most developers are of a younger generation and overlook the limitations of aged people. Here are some of the most important things to keep in mind while designing a smartphone application for the elderly:

Things to Consider Before Starting Elderly Care App Development

Make the UI User-Friendly

Keep in mind that small text may be difficult for the elderly to read. Making the user interface bold and simple is key if you’re targeting the elderly.

As we age, we lose some of our ability to discern between colors, which can be frustrating. Some people experience a blurring or dulling of blue tones. 

To work around this, crucial UI elements should never be rendered in blue font. Carefully consider the contrast ratios of your text, and put the application through various tests using screen readers.

Subtitles are a great way to improve the user experience for video and audio content.

Size UI Elements Carefully

It is well-known that as we age, our motor skills deteriorate, making it more challenging for the elderly to use a smartphone. For better usability, touch interfaces should have larger buttons.

Hand-eye coordination declines between the ages of 60 and 65, which might make interacting with a UI more difficult.

Application developers should space out the UI elements so they don’t interfere with one another and make the app easier to use.

An important guideline to keep in mind is that app users shouldn’t have any trouble differentiating between colors. Choose a background with a simple pattern wherever possible when designing an app.

There is a higher likelihood that elderly people will have trouble distinguishing objects against a cluttered background. To make sure the app looks well, it’s important to know what colors people favor.

Avoid Complicated Elements

Users are drawn to mobile apps with a minimalistic design because they can easily pick them up and start using them right away. Slide-out menus are best avoided because they can be confusing for the elderly.

Including a “Back” button in the primary navigation to let visitors quickly undo their most recent move is a simple way to improve the user experience.

People adore mobile apps due to their usefulness and the ease with which they may get information. When making apps for the elderly, developers should not overlook the importance of gestures.

Scrolling up to get to the previous page can be a hassle for certain users. Complex gestures and indirect engagements in the app should be avoided. Try to limit the gestures to the most basic actions like tapping, swiping, etc.

Essential Features of an Elderly Care App

Quick and Easy Signup

The ease with which new users can begin using your caregiver scheduling app is directly related to the quality of the onboarding process.

A user may abandon the application if it takes too long for them to fill out the form and input all of the required information.

Reassuring your audience that you value them and can swiftly supply services is much easier with a streamlined onboarding process for your mobile app.

Features of an Elderly Care App

Services and Care Plan

The treatment plan and services provided are the most crucial considerations. Ensure that each care plan and service is listed on a single page of the application. It will make it very easy for anyone in need of care to select all of their desired services simultaneously. 

Calendar Schedule

Users may simply set up their daily schedules with the help of the app’s built-in calendar. Either the caretaker or the elderly person can quickly and simply put their plan into action, leading to improved outcomes. The rest of the day’s plans may then be coordinated more smoothly.

In-app Messages

Sharing information with others may be challenging at times due to communication barriers. Thus, the use of in-app communications will facilitate simple communication between the involved parties. 

Real-time Notifications

The role of push notifications within a caregiver schedule app cannot be overstated. Each user should receive push notifications updating them on their respective schedules, expenses, and application updates. This would increase the likelihood of people actually using the application.

Ratings and Reviews

Users should be able to leave feedback about the quality of care they received from a service provider. Others in need of a caregiver’s services would appreciate the feedback provided by reviews and ratings posted by those who have used that caregiver’s services in the past. 

GPS Incorporation

The GPS tracker, when built into tWith the in-app payment option, both parties can conduct transactions and keep track of their income and expenses relatively easily. They can also use their eWallet for discounts, prizes, and bonuses. he application, will make the caregiver’s job much simpler. With this GPS tracker, caregivers may effortlessly keep tabs on their clients’ whereabouts.

At the same time, those in need of assistance will be able to observe, via real-time tracking, how far away the caretaker currently is.

In-App Purchases

With the in-app payment option, both parties can conduct transactions and keep track of their income and expenses relatively easily. They can also use their eWallet for discounts, prizes, and bonuses.

Elderly Care App Development

Steps to Develop a Senior Care App

Step-1. Define the Target Audience and Business Model

The first step in developing a senior care app is to define its target audience and business model.

This includes identifying the needs and preferences of the target audience, such as the specific health conditions or daily challenges that the app will aim to address.

It also involves deciding on a business model, such as whether the app will be free to download with in-app purchases or a paid app.

Defining the target audience and business model at the outset helps to ensure that the app is tailored to the needs of its users and has a clear path to profitability.

Steps of Senior Care App Development

Step 2: Conduct Market Research

The next step is to conduct market research to understand the existing landscape of senior care apps and identify any gaps or opportunities in the market.

This may involve reviewing existing apps and their features, as well as gathering feedback from potential users to understand their needs and preferences.

Market research can help with senior care app development and ensure that it is unique and differentiated from existing offerings.

Step 3: Assemble the Development Team

The senior care app development team should include experienced developers, designers, and other professionals with the expertise and skills to develop a senior care app. This may involve hiring in-house staff or outsourcing development to a third-party company.

It’s important to ensure that the development team has the necessary skills and experience to deliver a high-quality app that meets the needs of the target audience.

Step 4: Define the Scope and Features of the App

The next step is to clearly define the scope and elderly care app development features, including the specific tools and resources it will offer to users.

This may involve creating wireframes or prototypes to visualize the app’s user interface and functionality. Defining the scope and features of the app helps to ensure that senior care app development stays on track and within budget.

Step 5: Design the User Interface and User Experience

The user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) of the app are critical to its success, so it’s important to carefully design these elements.

This may involve creating visual designs, mockups, and prototypes to test and refine the app’s look and feel. The UI and UX should be user-friendly and intuitive, with clear navigation and easy-to-use features.

Step 6: Develop the App

Once the UI and UX have been designed, the next step is to start the senior care app development. This may involve writing code, integrating APIs and other technologies, and testing the app to ensure that it is functional and reliable.

Elderly care app development can be a complex and time-consuming process, so it’s important to have a clear plan and timeline in place.

Step 7: Test the App

Before launching the app, it’s important to thoroughly test it to ensure that it is functioning as intended and meets the needs of the target audience.

This may involve conducting user testing or focus groups to gather feedback and identify any issues that need to be addressed.

Testing the app helps to ensure that it is reliable and user-friendly before it is made available to a wider audience.

Step 8: Launch the App

Once the app has been developed and tested, the next step is to launch it and make it available to users.

This may involve submitting the app to application stores, setting up a website or other online presence, and marketing the app to the target audience.

Launching the app is a key milestone, but it’s important to remember that it’s just the beginning of the journey.

Step 9: Monitor and Update the App

After launching the app, it’s important to monitor its performance and user feedback and make updates as needed to fix bugs, add new features, or improve the user experience.

Ongoing maintenance and updates are an important part of the elderly care app development process and can help to ensure that the app remains functional and relevant to users.

This may involve releasing regular updates or adding new features based on user feedback.

Step 10: Evaluate and Optimize the App

It’s important to regularly evaluate the performance of the app and optimize it to improve user satisfaction and retention.

This may involve analyzing user data, such as usage patterns and engagement, to identify areas for improvement.

Optimizing the app may involve making changes to the UI and UX, adding new features, or making other changes based on user feedback.

Cost to Build an On-demand Elderly Care Service App

The cost of a senior care app can vary significantly depending on several factors, such as the app’s features and functionality, the complexity of its design and development, and the size and experience of the development team.

Some other factors that can impact the cost of building an on-demand elderly care service app include:

Cost to Build an On-demand Elderly Care Service App

Platform: The development costs for an elderly care app can vary depending on the platform it is developed for, such as iOS, Android, or both. Developing an app for multiple platforms can increase its cost.

Features and Functionality: The more features and functionality the app includes, the more complex and time-consuming the caregiver scheduling app development process will be, which can increase the cost.

Design: The design, including the user interface (UI) and user experience (UX), can also impact the development costs for an elderly care app. A more complex or custom design may require more time and resources, increasing the cost.

Development Team: The size and experience of the development team can also impact the cost of building an on-demand elderly care service app. Hiring a larger or more experienced team may increase the cost of elderly care app development.

The cost to create an elder care app would be significantly impacted by the location of the development team, which would be a significant element in determining the total cost. Interested in senior care app development costs? Let’s explore how much it costs to develop an app for senior care.

  • United States of America: $120 to $150 per hour
  •  South East Asia:  $30 to $50 per hour
  • Australia: From $75 to $95 per hour
  • United Kingdom: $90 to $110 per hour
  • Europe: $60–$75 per hour

These are the fundamental Cost to Create an Elder Care App in various countries. You are free to choose the one that is most suitable for you and proceed with developing your app idea.

If we progress toward the advanced solution, the development cost would increase to $35k to $55k. The basic cost of establishing an application for senior caregivers would be between $10,000 and $25,000.

Overall, the cost of building an on-demand elderly care service app can range from several thousand dollars for a basic app with limited features, to hundreds of thousands of dollars for a more complex app with a wide range of features and functionality.

When planning the development of an on-demand elderly care service app, it’s important to consider the budget and business goals carefully.

Arka Softwares Experience in Developing Senior Care Apps

Elderly care app development is a complex undertaking that requires your participation with your development team to minimize confusion and optimize output.

In order to keep you updated and involved throughout the process, the mobile app developers at Arka Softwares use agile methodology and hold frequent sprint meetings.

We are aware that entering into such an alliance with you involves a leap of faith for you, and we will do everything in our power to ensure that the chance you take by working with us pays off. Revolutionize elderly care with our innovative caregiver marketplace application, seamlessly connecting compassionate caregivers with seniors in need, ensuring personalized, reliable support at the touch of a button.

Ready to elevate your healthcare services? Contact Arka Softwares, the leading Healthcare Software Development Company, for innovative solutions tailored to your needs

FAQs related Senior Care Apps

  • How does a senior care mobile app work?

    A senior care mobile app typically includes a range of features and functionality that allows seniors and caregivers to communicate with each other, track medications and appointments, and access important information and resources.

  • What technologies are used in aged care app development?

    A senior care app can be developed using a variety of technologies, including cross-platform mobile development frameworks, cloud computing platforms, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, database technologies, and communication technologies.

  • How long does it take to develop a senior care app?

    The amount of time it takes to develop a senior care app can vary significantly depending on the complexity of the app and the resources available to the development team. Basic senior care apps could potentially be developed in 3-4 weeks, while more complex apps with numerous features and integrations could take 2-3 months or longer to develop.

  • How do I market and promote a senior care mobile app?

    To market and promote a senior care mobile app, you may need to consider a variety of strategies, such as creating a marketing plan, building a website or landing page, creating social media accounts, and running online or offline advertising campaigns.

  • How can I keep users engaged with the app over the long term?

    To keep users engaged with the app over the long term, it is important to regularly update the app with new features and functionality, as well as provide timely and relevant content and resources. You can also consider implementing gamification elements, such as rewards or challenges, to encourage users to continue using the app.

Satyam Chaturvedi

Satyam Chaturvedi is a Digital Marketing Manager at Arka Softwares, a leading app development company dealing in modern and futuristic solutions. He loves to spend his time studying the latest market insights.

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