LifeCurve app

The LifeCurve app is aimed at older adults, to support and encourage ageing well. The resources can help to maintain or improve the ability to complete everyday activities of daily living. The app can be used by individuals, caregivers or whānau with the ability to have multiple profiles under one account. 

There are 2 ways to use the app.

• You can take the LifeCurve quiz and answer some questions about your functional abilities. You then receive a personalised results package with movement routines and hints and tips on how to age better, stay active and be safe.
• You can choose a goal related to taking care of yourself, managing everyday tasks more easily or improving your strength and balance, which will also provide you with personalised advice based on knowledge from physiotherapists and occupational therapists. This personalised advice may include reading information sheets, viewing exercise animations and descriptions of exercises and links to external websites which can provide more support and information.

The app has the option to make connections with other ‘partners’ who are organisations that provide relevant support services, eg, a healthcare provider or group that provides exercise classes or meal preparation services. It also has links to services that will help the user achieve their goals such as a physiotherapist or occupational therapist for help with using stairs.

The app has been updated in partnership with Māori and is very helpful in a New Zealand context. It has links to the AWESSoM Study through the University of Auckland. You can choose for your anonymised data to be used for research into ageing and you can also opt to share it with other ‘partners’.

For the complete app description, go to the app website(external link), Google Play(external link), App Store(external link) or, for a more detailed review, see reviews below.

Clinical review

Reviewer: Chris Lawrence
Date of review: December 2022
Version: 1.3
Platform: Android
Comments: Overall,  LifeCurve is a very high quality app, which will be very applicable and user-friendly. LifeCurve is designed for older people. However, the features of the app are very useful, and it could have a much wider audience. The app would be particularly useful for those people who might be struggling with activities of daily living, and need some practical help with goal setting, or finding meaningful tasks to achieve goals. There are very practical, and manageable steps to achieve goals. It is likely that due to the wide-ranging nature of the goals, that most users could find an appropriate goal to work towards. The information is presented well, and the use of graphics are excellent. It is acknowledged that there is a high level of questioning, which is needed to provide accurate information. If the user can manage this, they will get some very specific advice, which will help them work towards goal. Of particular benefit is the fact that the app links well to external services, and has been very careful to point out when external input is needed outside the app.
Safety concerns: From a safety perspective, this app is really high quality. It is obvious that a lot of time has gone into acknowledging the situations when the app can be useful, and the limitations that any app-related health advice can give. It is very clear in it’s recommendations as to when external help is needed, which is a real strength of the app.
New Zealand relevance: The app is extremely relevant to the NZ context. The linked services are all New Zealand based. The app is very helpful in a New Zealand context. It also involves links to the AWESSOM Study (Through Auckland University).

Clinical review

Reviewer: Dr Alice Miller, GP, Wellington
Date of review: November 2021
Comments: LifeCurve is an app for older people who are struggling with activities of daily living, or their caregivers and whānau who wish to find ways to help. The app requires a good level of confidence with digital media to get the most out of it. LifeCurve provides access to a wealth of resources and information which can help to support many aspects of healthy ageing. Potentially this may improve or maintain independence at home. Overall the app is a great source of healthy ageing information and practical resources, but requires some patience to find what is most relevant to you.
Safety concerns: None.
New Zealand relevance: Yes, suitable for the New Zealand audience.