In this digital age, technology has revolutionized the way we care for our loved ones. Caregiver mobile applications have become indispensable tools, offering a myriad of features to help manage the complex tasks associated with caregiving. From medication reminders to health monitoring, these applications are transforming the caregiving landscape. Here, we will explore some of the best caregiver apps available in 2023, providing a comprehensive review of their features, benefits, and how they can assist you in providing the best possible care for your loved ones.
1. Managing Communication: CaringBridge
CaringBridge stands out as an exceptional tool for facilitating easy communication with family and friends. It’s a perfect app for a family rallying around a loved one in need of care, particularly those facing surgeries, rehabilitation, or procedures associated with conditions such as cancer, heart disease, or diabetes.
CaringBridge offers a space for multiple caregivers and family members to share pertinent information like updates, encouragement, and coordinating care. There’s a guest book offering a place for journal entries, medical updates, photos, stories, and tributes. CaringBridge is unique in that it creates a place for more than managing a loved one’s care — you can uplift, stay in the loop and help each other through a difficult time.
Download CaringBridge for iOS Download CaringBridge for Android
2. Coordinating Care: Lotsa Helping Hands
Lotsa Helping Hands is a caregiving app that helps you create a community of care around your loved one. You can invite family, friends, volunteers, and care aides to join and then manage everything from sitters and errands to appointments and family gatherings using an interactive calendar. There’s also a section of the app called “Helping Hands,” which serves as a message board and a well-wishes wall where caregivers, family, and friends can leave messages of encouragement for the person receiving care or for someone else in the care circle.
Download Lotsa Helping Hands for iOS Download Lotsa Helping Hands for Android
3. Storing Information Securely: Caring Village
The Caring Village app is designed specifically for family caregivers to help them easily coordinate and keep track of their loved one’s care. It also serves as a safe app for storing important documents and other sensitive information about the care recipient. You can create customizable care plans for your loved ones plus personalized to-do lists. The app’s features also include a centralized calendar, document storage, a place to list medications, and a wellness journal that allows you to share entries with the rest of your “village.”
Download Caring Village for iOS Download Caring Village for Android
4. Preparing for Emergencies: First Aid by American Red Cross
The unfortunate reality of caring for someone is that an accident can happen at any time. No matter how cautious you are, normal challenges that come with aging like reduced mobility and balance can lead to accidents and injuries. The First Aid: American Red Cross app offers professional advice, helpful videos and animations for first-aid learning, and step-by-step instructions during emergencies. An integrated 9-1-1 call button is also included for additional safety.
Download First Aid: American Red Cross for iOS Download First Aid: American Red Cross for Android
5. Monitoring Health: eCare21
Providing round-the-clock patient monitoring, eCare21, through wireless and wearable devices such as a smartwatch or FitBit, allows you to track the wearer’s glucose, heart rate, activity, medication, weight, calorie intake, and sleep. Caregivers, patients, family members, and doctors can access this helpful information anytime via the app.
Download eCare21 for iOS Download eCare21 for Android
6. Managing Medication: Medisafe
For caregivers tasked with administering medications, Medisafe alleviates concerns by offering reminders and practical information. Caregivers must remember things like dosage timing and record-keeping, whether or not to take it with food, potential side effects, and tracking benefits or drawbacks. Medisafe helps caregivers with reminders, progression tracking, and even finding coupons and other incentives.
Download Medisafe for iOS Download Medisafe for Android
7. Coordinating Care: Ianacare
Ianacare (iana means “I am not alone”) app was designed to equip and empower caregivers with the resources and support they need. The app provides the ability to organize caregiver teams and request or receive help from family and friends.
Download Ianacare for iOS Download Ianacare for Android
8. Health Monitoring: eCare21
eCare21 provides round-the-clock patient monitoring through wireless and wearable devices such as a smartwatch or FitBit. You can track the wearer’s glucose, heart rate, activity, medication, weight, calorie intake, and sleep.
Download eCare21 for iOS Download eCare21 for Android
9. Medication Management: Medisafe
Medisafe is an easy-to-use app that helps manage your loved one’s prescriptions and medications. It offers personalized reminders for when medications —and what dosage — need to be taken, and a tracker is used to confirm it.
Download Medisafe for iOS Download Medisafe for Android
10. Self-Care and Support: Ianacare
Ianacare app was designed to equip and empower caregivers with the resources and support they need. The app provides the ability to organize caregiver teams and request or receive help from family and friends.
Download Ianacare for iOS Download Ianacare for Android
Conclusion
These are just a few of the best caregiver apps available in 2023. With the rising demand for improved caregiving, these apps aim to make the process less stressful and more manageable, helping caregivers to provide the best possible care for their loved ones. Whether it’s managing medications, monitoring health, or simply staying connected with your caregiving team, there’s an app out there that can make your role as a caregiver a little easier.