What's the difference between a reminder app for seniors and a regular reminder app?
A regular reminder app sends a notification at a set time, and you set it up by tapping through menus. A reminder app for seniors is built to be simple. With Elsy, you just say 'Remind me to call my sister on Sunday at 11.' She also remembers what you tell her and writes down your life stories.
If your phone already has a reminder app, why would you want one made for older adults? The short answer is that with an app like Elsy, you talk instead of tapping through menus, and she does more than send notifications.
What is a reminder app?
A reminder app helps you keep track of tasks and appointments. Regular reminder apps usually connect to your calendar, keep to-do lists and send notifications at set times. They're built for getting things done, and plenty of people rely on them every day. But they aren't always designed with older adults' needs in mind. In the UK, almost half of people aged 75 and over can't do all the basic things needed to get online, according to Age UK.
What regular apps do well
These apps work well if you want to get more done in a day. But they don't account for forgetfulness or trouble with your hands and fingers, and setting them up usually means typing and tapping through menus.
Why choose a reminder app for seniors?
A reminder app for seniors, like Elsy, is designed to be easy to use and to fit into your daily routine. It reminds you about medicines and plans, and that can make everyday life a lot easier. In a Canadian study, 35 people aged 52 to 78 tried four medicine apps, and they preferred the simple ones that take you one step at a time. An app for seniors can also give you someone to talk with and a way to share your life stories, which can be good for your wellbeing.
Features made for older adults
You talk with Elsy out loud, she remembers what you tell her, and she writes down your life stories. Reminders can help give your day some structure, and a daily conversation with Elsy can help keep your mind active and be good company. Read more about what a reminder app can do that paper notes can't.
How regular and senior reminder apps compare
Regular reminder apps have plenty of features and handle the basics well. A reminder app for seniors like Elsy puts more weight on being easy to use and fitting the way you live. Elsy has features that can make it easier to manage on your own, like medicine reminders, and you can send a short message to a family member in Your circle: "Tell my son I got home fine from the doctor." If you like, your family can also follow how you're doing. See more about reminders and daily routines with Elsy.
What Elsy adds
Elsy is an AI companion, so reminders are only part of what she does. She talks with you, remembers what you tell her about your habits and interests, and can share information with your family. What they see depends on their level in Your circle, from just the life stories you send them, at the lowest level, up to what Elsy remembers about you at the Full trust level.
Reminders and life stories with Elsy
You create a reminder by telling Elsy what you need: "Remind me to call the hair salon tomorrow at 9." When you tell her about your life, she writes it up afterward as a life story with your own words as quotes, and you can send it to your family whenever you like. See how life stories work. Your family never sees transcripts or recordings of your conversations, apart from the life stories you send them, which contain your own words and may include short excerpts of your voice. Read more about how Elsy works.
Easy to use
Elsy is made to be easy to use, even if you don't have any technical skills. You just talk to her, and she can adapt to what you need. You can show her a photo of a letter or a medicine package, and she'll read the text for you. If you've turned on Sync with calendar, she can see what's in your phone's calendar, and the reminders she creates go into it too. That makes it easier to keep track of important appointments.
What it's like day to day
Because Elsy is made for older adults, she can be easier to get along with than a regular app. She remembers what you tell her, for example that your grandchild has a birthday next week, and she can bring it up the next time you talk. That makes the conversations more personal.
“And I have to say, Elsy came as a real surprise. It's easy to say 'Elsy', but it's ten times simpler than it sounds.”
Helge, 72, talks with Elsy (translated from Danish)
Elsy in your daily life
Elsy can become a regular part of your day. She can help you keep track of medicines and appointments, and the life stories she writes are something you can send to your family.
How to get started
Download Elsy from the App Store or Google Play, open the app and tap Talk to Elsy. Try saying a reminder out loud, for example "Remind me to water the plants on Saturday at 10." Then look for it under Reminders. You can try Elsy free for 3 days on your own phone. See how Elsy works step by step.
Frequently asked questions
Can I just talk to Elsy instead of typing?
Yes. You talk to Elsy, and she answers you or acts on what you said, like creating a reminder. The whole conversation happens by voice, so there's nothing to type.
Is my data safe with Elsy?
Your conversations are recorded and stored securely so Elsy can remember what you tell her, and your stored data is hosted in the EU. So that Elsy can hear you and answer, what you say is processed by AI services in the United States. We never sell your personal data, and we don't use it to train general-purpose AI models. What your family sees depends on each person's level in Your circle, and it never includes transcripts or recordings, apart from the life stories you send them, which contain your own words and may include short excerpts of your voice. If a family member set Elsy up and gave consent on your behalf, everyone in your circle is at Full trust and also sees what Elsy remembers about you. Read more in our privacy policy.
Can Elsy help me keep track of my medicines?
Yes. Tell her something like "I take a blood pressure pill every morning at 8," and she'll add it and remind you when it's time. When you tell her you've taken a dose, she makes a note of it.
This is general information, not medical advice. Every situation is different, so talk to a doctor about yours.