You may think of alarms as loud and jarring, designed to wake you instantly from peaceful slumber, but these tools assist you in numerous ways. They can remind you to take your medication, help you remember medical appointments and nudge you to call your grandchildren. The best part? Once you set alarms, they do all the remembering for you, increasing your enjoyment of life while decreasing stress.

Why Alarms Work Well for Retirement Living

Keeping track of a busy schedule can feel like juggling too many balls, especially in your golden years. Maybe you've noticed yourself forgetting the occasional pill or missing your favorite TV show and you're wondering how to get back on track. Alarms come to the rescue in these instances, giving your brain a break. You don't have to remember everything once you outsource reminders to your smartphone — it's like having a personal assistant in your pocket. If you reside in an assisted living community like Bethesda Gardens Arlington, this tool can prove exceptionally helpful. Staff and caregivers can do a lot, but your smartphone can fill the gaps, helping keep you independent and confident.

Getting Started: How to Set an Alarm

Setting an alarm on your smartphone is easier than it sounds on both Android phones and iPhones. Follow these simple steps to set an alarm:

1. Open the clock app. If you're unsure which app it is, look for the clock face icon.
2. Tap on Alarm, then tap the plus (+) sign or Add button to create a new alarm.
3. Set the time you want the alarm to sound and choose the sound you want to hear.
4. Label the alarm to match its function, such as "Take Morning Pills" or "Go for a Walk."
5. Choose the repeat option to set the alarm for daily, weekday or weekend reminders.
6. Save the alarm setting and you're done.

Once you save the alarm, it should ring at the time you set with your chosen message and sound.

Using Alarms in Your Daily Routine

Set multiple alarms — each with its own special job — to keep your life more organized. Alarm settings to get you started include:

• Medication reminders. Setting alarms helps out when you must take certain medications at specific times. For example, you might label alarms such as "Take your blood pressure pill" or "Evening insulin." Multiple reminders mean you never have to second-guess if you took the correct medications.
• Meal and snack times. Whether you make your own snacks or enjoy meals with others in your assisted living community, having an alarm in place gives you a heads-up that it's time to eat. Being prepared ensures you don't miss anything and helps keep your blood sugar level stable, especially if you have diabetes.
• Staying hydrated. Setting alarms offers an easy way to remind yourself to hydrate. A simple reminder every couple of hours nudges you to fill up your double-walled tumbler with ice water or brew a cup of your favorite herbal tea, keeping you happier and healthier over time.
• Appointments and activities. Haircuts, bingo night, physical therapy sessions and doctor visits — your phone can help you remember them all. Create alarms with clear titles that tell you when or where, setting them early so you can be ready in time for the event. You can also pair the settings with the calendar function for extra convenience.
• Exercise breaks. Getting up and moving around helps you take better care of your body, so set daily reminders for stretching and light movement. Even a small amount of exercise can make a big difference in how you feel, and alarms ensure you don't forget to take care of yourself.
• Family calls and social time. Set alarms for regularly scheduled calls with your children, grandchildren and friends, especially if they don't live in Arlington, TX, with you. Keeping these connections strong gives you something to look forward to and elevates your overall happiness and satisfaction with your life.

Making Alarms Work With Memory Care

If you're experiencing more challenges with remembering essentials, alarms can act as gentle nudges that keep you on track. You can set the alarms yourself or ask a caregiver to help you set recurring reminders to perfectly fit your needs. Most smartphones also let you record voice memos instead of using regular alarm sounds, so you can tell yourself exactly what you need to do when the alarm rings. This works particularly well if you're in memory care because it's more comforting, familiar and effective than blaring sounds that don't provide the information you need.

Using alarms on your smartphone may seem minor, but the convenient functionality can have an outsize impact on your daily life. Gentle reminders that keep you focused help you stay independent and connected, reducing stress, preventing missed medication times and freeing your mind to think about what truly matters — such as enjoying morning coffee or chats with a friend. Give it a try by setting one or two alarms today, and over time, you'll wonder how you lived without this handy tool.

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