Our Recommended Apps: 21 and up

This month we are highlighting some of the apps that we find ourselves frequently using in sessions, recommending to clients, and sharing around the office. While technology can be a polarizing subject on many fronts, we feel that when used with a specific purpose in mind (such as skill building), it can be a very helpful tool.

If you have been following the blog this month, you have learned a lot about apps that we like for children and youth of various ages. Today we turn our attention to apps for adults. Although this is a really wide age span, I believe this is an area that is little talked about. I want to share 3 apps today for those 21 and up. Each one works to address a different outcome. Hopefully you will be inspired to use your smart device to assist you, or someone you love, in some of these areas this year!

1. Keezy – This is an app that I have just recently discovered, but it is becoming one that I love to use. I use it mostly for creative expression and improvisation, because it is so simple it use. If you can tap the iPad, you can play Keezy! It is basically a mixing board, with 8 different sounds that you can mix together to make a song. If you know someone who likes electronic music (Such as Calvin Harris or Martin Garrix) this is great for them. You can also add your own sounds by recording instruments or singing with your device and mix them into a song. The songs are easily shared via email to save your creation forever. Although this exact app is not on Android, you can get one called Beat Box, that has the same idea. The other awesome thing, both these apps are free!
2. Relax Melodies – This app is great for relaxation. You can choose what sounds you want to listen to and mix them together to make it most relaxing for you, your family member, or your client. It also offers some good articles about sleep and relaxation. I use this for relaxation during sessions, and also as a base for some improvisations with small groups. It is also great to use in the background in music yoga groups. This app is available on both Apple and Android, and is free, although there is a premium version available for $2.99.
3. Youtube – This is an app that you probably already have on your device and use… And use a lot. I love to use this app to encourage communication and reminiscence with elderly clients and family members. Even if you sing really well, you might not sound exactly like Elvis Presley, or maybe you just can’t act out all the parts to a favorite show tune. This is where I love to look it up my phone or iPad and watch it with them. This can help them to share memories of the song, when they saw it performed in concert or on tv, or to engage with someone else while singing along. If you don’t already have this app downloaded, it is free and available on both Apple and Android.

These are just a few of the apps that can be used with adults. Do you have any others that you love? Have any questions about the ones mentioned above? Comment below and let us know!