AHEALTH

An easy health app for seniors that rewards small, steady habits

Updated

For many older adults, the best health app is a simple one that encourages small daily habits instead of pushing hard goals or asking for money up front. AHEALTH, formerly Moneywalk, is a free iPhone and Android app that gives you points for walking, sleep, water, meals and taking medication. In the U.S., you can redeem those points for gift cards at stores like Walmart, Target and Amazon.

This guide explains what to look for in a health app for yourself or an older parent, what the CDC recommends for adults 65 and older and how to set gentle goals that still feel rewarding.

What makes a health app easy for older adults

  • It works with just a phone. No smartwatch or fitness tracker to buy, charge or pair.
  • It encourages instead of pressures. Small, steady rewards for everyday habits are easier to stick with than strict targets. Apps that ask you to put money down on a goal can cost you if you miss it.
  • It covers more than steps. Medication reminders, water and sleep matter as much as walking for many older adults.
  • The rewards are useful. Gift cards for stores you already shop at are easy to understand and easy to use.
  • It's free. You shouldn't have to pay to start building healthy habits.

How AHEALTH works for older adults

AHEALTH uses your phone's own step count, so your steps are counted as long as your phone is with you. You earn points as you walk, up to a daily limit, plus random bonus points along the way. There's no deposit and nothing to lose if you have a slow day.

In the U.S., the same points also come from other everyday habits. Point amounts differ by habit and can change over time.

  • Medication. Set medication reminders and earn points when you log a dose.
  • Water. Log each glass of water you drink, up to a daily limit.
  • Sleep and meals. Log your sleep and what you ate.
  • Quick daily habits. Stair climbing, brisk walks, squats, breathing exercises, affirmations and a daily health quiz.

Points are redeemed in the app's Gift Shop for email gift cards from more than 25 brands, including Walmart, Target, Amazon and Starbucks. Gift cards start at $5. See how AHEALTH rewards work.

How much activity do adults 65 and older need?

The CDC recommends that adults 65 and older get, each week, at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity such as brisk walking (for example, 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week), at least 2 days of muscle-strengthening activities and activities that improve balance.

If that feels like a lot, start smaller. The CDC says to be as physically active as your abilities and conditions allow, and that some physical activity is better than none.

For daily steps, a 2022 analysis of 15 studies found that for adults 60 and older, the benefit of more steps leveled off at about 6,000 to 8,000 steps a day. Sleep matters too: the CDC recommends 7 to 8 hours a night for adults 65 and older.

How to set gentle goals that stick

  1. Start from today, not from a target. Look at how many steps you usually take and add a little from there.
  2. Add one short walk. A 10-minute walk after a meal is an easy first step. Walking with a friend or family member makes it more fun.
  3. Set up medication reminders. Logging each dose builds a routine and earns points at the same time.
  4. Drink a glass of water with each meal. Log it right away so you don't forget.
  5. Check in once a day. Open the app, collect your points and see how close you are to your next gift card.

If weight is one of your goals, read how many steps a day it takes to lose weight. For older adults, it's best to plan any weight loss with your doctor.

Helping an older parent get started

  1. Install AHEALTH from the App Store or Google Play on their phone.
  2. Allow the app to read their step count when it asks.
  3. Suggest they keep the phone in a pocket or bag when they walk, since steps only count when the phone is with them.
  4. Show them where to log water, medication and sleep, and where the Gift Shop is. Before the first redemption, they may be asked to verify a phone number.

Talk with a doctor before starting a new exercise routine, especially with a heart condition, joint pain or balance problems. A rewards app can help build habits, but it isn't medical advice.

Frequently asked questions

What is an easy health app for a 70-year-old?

Look for an app that works with just a phone, rewards small daily habits and doesn't ask for a deposit. AHEALTH, formerly Moneywalk, is free, uses the phone's own step count and gives points for walking, sleep, water, meals and medication that can be redeemed for gift cards in the U.S.

Is AHEALTH a weight-loss app?

AHEALTH is a healthy-habits app, not a diet program. It rewards walking and logging meals, water and sleep, which can support a weight goal. Older adults who want to lose weight should talk with their doctor about a safe plan.

Can AHEALTH remind me to take my medication?

Yes. You can set medication reminders in AHEALTH and earn points when you log a dose.

Does AHEALTH need a smartwatch?

No. AHEALTH uses your phone's own step count, so you don't need a smartwatch or fitness tracker.

How many steps a day should older adults aim for?

Start from where you are and add steps gradually. A 2022 analysis of 15 studies found that for adults 60 and older, the benefit leveled off at about 6,000 to 8,000 steps a day. The CDC also recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate activity a week for adults 65 and older.

Related guides

All AHEALTH guides

Sources

This guide is for general information and is not medical advice.