Updated: 1/16/2020
Caregivers need help. With 39.8 million Americans in a caregiving role–a job that often requires an individual to be “on call” 24/7–anything that can be done to offer some assistance could make a world of difference.
Caregiving apps have been created to make caregiving a little easier. Below are a list of some apps to consider using as you care for an aging parent or loved one who suffers from an illness or disability.
All-in-One Caregiving Apps
The following apps are your all-in-one caregiving apps. They allow you to keep track of appointments and surgeries, connect with family members to coordinate care and give updates on your loved one; some will also provide helpful caregiving tips and advice.
CareZone. Available on iPhone (Free), iPad (Free), Android (Free). Keep notes and observations, manage and share to-do list with friends and family members, log medical information, upload photos and store insurance information, online account credentials and other hard-to-remember details. Receive helpful tips on relevant health topics. With CareZone, you can create a custom profile for each person you're caring for so you have all of their information at your fingertips.
App Sources:
- https://carezone.com/home
- https://lotsahelpinghands.com/
- https://www.caringbridge.org/
- https://www.facebook.com/Unfrazzle/
Alzheimer’s Caregiving Apps
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, out of the 43.5 million adult family caregivers (globally) that care for someone 50 years old or above, about one in three (14.9 million) care for someone who has Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia. As such, the need for apps specifically geared toward an Alzheimer’s caregiver is massive. The following apps offer help in this particular area.
Balance: For Alzheimer's Caregivers. Available on iPhone ($.99), iPad ($.99). Connect with multiple caregivers in real time to coordinate care, communicate with doctors directly about symptoms, communicate with other family members using chat feature and get latest Alzheimer's news and caregiving information. Keep up with refills, dosage and reactions.
App Sources:
- https://www.comfortzonecheckin.com/default.aspx
- https://dementiasolutions.ca/dementia-caregiver-solutions-app-page/
Educational Caregiving Apps
Caring for an aging parent or loved one often entails learning about the illness or disability that caree is experiencing. These apps help you navigate the different symptom and treatment information you need to know.
WebMD. Available on iPhone (Free), Android (Free), Web (Free). WebMD is not new. In fact, it’s one of the Internet’s most trusted health sources. It is available in app form on Android and iPhones. You can use their app to look up a pill or symptom at the drop of a hat. If you need basic tips on caring for a particular health problem, you can find that here, too.
App Sources:
Health Status Apps
These apps have been designed to help keep track of the health of your loved one. Some of these can even be tracked by other family members if they have the app on their phone and their loved one is wearing the tracking device.
GreatCall Link. Available on iPhone (Free), Android (Free). Keeps track of daily activities and when things get off track. Friends and family can download app on their phones and receive alerts when the caree contacts a 5star agent in an emergency. It will alert all concerned individuals with the date, time and reason for the call. You can also track when the main user (the one in need of care) leaves or arrives home and has a low battery on their device.
App Sources:
- https://www.greatcall.com/services-apps/link
- https://www.caremindapp.com/
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a lot of Caregiving apps to choose from. While several of these have similar features, choose one that best suits your needs as a caregiver. Try out a few of the apps mentioned above and let us know how they helped in the comment section below!
Other Sources:
- https://www.caring.com/articles/caregiving-apps
- https://www.providermagazine.com/reports/Pages/2015/Top-Rated-Caregiving-Apps-To-Consider-Using.aspx
- https://www.aplaceformom.com/blog/best-and-worst-apps-for-caregivers-07-03-2013/
- https://www.mhealthtalk.com/the-best-smartphone-apps-for-caregivers/
- https://www.sunriseseniorliving.com/blog/may-2015/the-5-best-apps-for-caregivers.aspx
