Staying hydrated is essential for healthy aging. For older adults, dehydration can lead to confusion, dizziness, constipation, urinary tract infections, and even hospitalisation. But remembering to drink water regularly isn’t always easy - especially for those managing multiple medications or living with cognitive changes.
That’s where hydration reminder apps can help.
These simple tools send gentle notifications to drink water throughout the day and can be a powerful part of an overall wellness routine. Whether it’s through visual prompts, smart scheduling, or integrated health tracking, the right hydration reminder app can help seniors stay well, think clearly, and avoid preventable health issues.
Here are some of the best options available today - plus how Elli Cares supports hydration in the context of broader wellbeing.
1. Elli Cares
– Best for Seniors With Cognitive Changes or Family Support Needs
Elli Cares is a dementia-friendly mobile app designed to help seniors manage their day independently - with hydration a key focus.
Features:
- Scheduled hydration reminders with customizable times
- Option for video reminders from loved ones
- Family members can see whether reminders were actioned
- Tracks other wellness metrics like mood, movement, and medication
Elli Cares stands out for being designed specifically for seniors and people with memory loss - with larger fonts, clear navigation, and family dashboard visibility.
2. WaterMinder
– Best for Simplicity and Visuals
WaterMinder is a popular app that tracks daily water intake and sends reminders based on your goals.
Pros:
- Simple, visual interface with a human silhouette showing hydration levels
- Pre-set reminder times or smart interval reminders
- Apple Watch and HealthKit integration
- Can adjust for weather and activity levels
Considerations:
Not specifically designed for older adults, so may feel a bit too data-heavy for those with vision or cognitive challenges.
3. Plant Nanny 2
– Best for Seniors Who Enjoy Gamification
This playful app encourages hydration by linking it to plant care. Each time you log a drink, your virtual plant gets watered too.
Pros:
- Fun and interactive - a great motivator for people who enjoy visuals
- Custom reminders and water goal tracking
- Encourages consistent hydration with light-hearted design
Considerations:
More suited to tech-savvy seniors or those who enjoy gamified experiences.
Waterllama
– Best for Apple Users Who Love Wellness Integration
Waterllama offers hydration tracking with a cheerful, animal-themed interface that appeals to all ages. It’s simple, colourful, and well-suited for iPhone and Apple Watch users.
Pros:
- Adorable interface and animal avatars to keep motivation high
- Tracks different drink types and shows hydration levels
- Easily integrates with Apple Health
- Offers themed challenges to encourage daily goals
Considerations:
Currently only available on iOS, and may feel too whimsical for some older adults preferring a more minimalist layout.
Why Hydration Reminders Are Especially Important for Seniors
As we age, our sense of thirst diminishes, even when the body needs water. Seniors may also limit fluids to avoid frequent bathroom trips, or forget to drink altogether due to memory loss or distraction.
Hydration reminder apps:
- Help build healthy daily habits
- Prevent issues like falls, urinary infections, or fatigue
- Offer non-intrusive support that respects independence
- Reduce the burden on family members by sharing the care load
Why Elli Cares Stands Out
Unlike general water-tracking apps, Elli Cares builds hydration reminders into a wider wellness ecosystem - including:
- Medication support
- Mood and symptom tracking (coming soon)
- Safe zone alerts and behavioral monitoring
- Family visibility into how reminders are being used
It’s a hydration tool within a compassionate care system - especially valuable for those living with dementia or needing additional support to live independently.
Related Posts:
