Being a caregiver for a family member can be as taxing as it is rewarding, and the role often goes underappreciated. While a support network of family and friends is crucial, apps can help alleviate some of the stresses that come with caregiving.
From helping to keep track of appointments to assisting in health emergencies, apps are tackling all areas of caregiving. Here are 10 notable apps that can help support caregivers every day.
1. AARP Caregiving
IMAGE: AARP CAREGIVING/ITUNES
This app comes from one of the most notable names in elderly care. AARP Caregiving is an app that empowers caregivers with information on how to effectively care for an aging loved one.
The app allows users to monitor symptoms, coordinate care with other family or caregivers, and keep track of appointments and medications. It also features a help center, where caregivers can find answers to urgent or commonly asked questions.
2. CareZone
IMAGE: CAREZONE/ITUNES
Dubbed a "health info organizer," CareZone helps caregivers keep track of medical information by organizing medication, allergies, insurance cards and ID cards all in one place.
Through the app, caregivers can also create to-do lists to keep track of appointments and medication times. The app also curates news relevant to your loved one's illness, disability or condition. All features are private and secure, according to the company, meaning sensitive information stays private.
3. Alzheimer's Caregiver Buddy
IMAGE: ALZHEIMER'S CAREGIVER BUDDY/GOOGLE PLAY
The Alzheimer's Association, a leader in action and awareness around the disease, developed this "caregiver buddy" app to help caregivers manage their personal stress, navigate family conflict and reach a 24/7 helpline.
The app includes features like daily care tips for tasks related to hygiene and meal times, and fun activities that will stimulate the body and mind of someone living with dementia. It also covers how to cope with new and sometimes overwhelming behaviors, like aggression or hallucination.
4. Care.com
IMAGE: CARE.COM APP/ITUNES
Need a helping hand? Care.com's app helps you find temporary, qualified care for your loved ones — including caregivers specializing in the needs of people with disabilities and aging populations — with just a few taps of your finger.
Users of the app can search resumes and applications of local professional caregivers to find the right fit for their families. Primary caregivers can even book interviews and facilitate payment through the app, making hiring a professional easy when needed.
5. Elder 411
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Elder 411, developed by award-winning geriatric doctor Marion Somers, has practical information for caregivers all in one place.
From safety in the home to communication tips, this app makes caregiving easier to navigate by starting with the basics. It even includes tips on how to manage stress as a caregiver.
Elder 411 is available for $.99 on iPhone.
6. First Aid by American Red Cross
IMAGE: FIRST AID BY AMERICAN RED CROSS/ITUNES
With so much to remember as a caregiver, it's helpful to have reminders of the basics — and that includes first aid and CPR. The First Aid app from the American Red Cross provides users with clear and concise first aid and CPR instructions to help in the event of an emergency.
The app also helps users identify health concerns by decoding symptoms, which is especially useful for people who are displaying physical symptoms but can't verbally describe what they are experiencing.
7. iPharmacy Pro
IMAGE: IPHARMACY/ITUNES
People living with health challenges are sometimes prescribed numerous medications to help ease and manage symptoms. But keeping track of everything that comes with that can get difficult.
iPharmacy Pro helps caregivers easily identify medications, check for any potential drug interactions, and track prescriptions.
8. CaringBridge
IMAGE: CARINGBRIDGE/ITUNES
Communication is critical when dividing caregiving duties among multiple people — and that's where CaringBridge can help. CaringBridge connects several caregivers through one app, allowing several people to keep track of appointments, changes in health and other essential information.
Users can also send each other inspiring messages and motivation through the app, which really helps pull together a team of caregivers in the toughest moments.
9. Symple
IMAGE: SYMPLE/ITUNES
Symple is an easy way to keep track of your loved one's symptoms like anxiety, fatigue and pain over long periods of time. The app allows you to track up to 10 individual symptoms, recording how your loved one feels and documenting any possible contributing factors to mood or health shifts.
Symple features an interactive graph and spreadsheet that a caregiver can use independently, or send to a doctor for evaluation. Users say the app is simple to use, making it easy to remember sometimes vital health information in between office visits.
The app is available for free on iPhone.
10. Pacifica
IMAGE: PACIFICA/ITUNES
Pacifica may not help with the routine tasks of a caregiver, but it does help them with something essential: self-care. Caregivers have to navigate a lot of responsibility, which studies saysometimes leads to and increased risk of depression, stress and other health impacts.
To best care for someone else, caregivers need to take care of themselves. Pacifica is a mindfulness app that aids in relief of anxiety, depression and stress. Users can track their moods and health, while also keeping track of moments during the day that trigger mood shifts. The app has in-app exercises, too, which help reduce stress and anxiety.
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