Technology advances each year, and we use technological innovations on a daily basis to make
our lives better. The incredible capabilities of technology have led to the creation of
more advanced caregiver support. Technology for family caregivers has come a long way,
and many of the best innovations can fit right in the palm of your hand. Smartphones
have enabled caregivers to better care for their aging loved ones thanks to a variety of
applications, otherwise known as apps.
In 2022, statistics show that there were more than 50,000 medical apps available. The leading Android App,
Blood Sugar, has around 3 million downloads, followed by other health and fitness
apps that also garnered millions of downloads. This means that the options available to
us now are even more extensive.
While the options are vast, this also implies a more challenging selection process. You need
to sort through a seemingly endless list of choices before you find the caregiver
apps that are best suited to you & your loved ones’ needs.
How to Choose the Best Caregiver Support Apps
Every caregiver app comes with unique features that make it suitable for its target user. The
best apps will provide you with the caregiver support you need on a daily basis. As you
evaluate the app that’s best for you, here are a handful of features to consider:
- Price: There is a broad variation in the price of caregiver
apps, ranging from hundreds of dollars to free of charge. Be cautious
though — many of the free apps have hidden costs that can arise once you
download the app and start an account. For example, there may be premium
features that can be unlocked only if you upgrade to a
subscription.
- Customization: Your loved one is unique and so are their
treatment needs. Consider making a list of your loved ones unique needs,
and then look for an application that can for sure be customized to meet
these individual needs before moving forward with your app
selection.
- Compatibility: Some apps are only available for certain
devices. Make sure the application you choose is compatible with all the
devices and web browsers you intend to use.
- Product Support: Choose a company with verifiable contact
information and readily available customer service support.
- Quality Control: Read reviews! If you want to know how good
an application is, see what other people are saying. When it comes to
the care of your loved ones, you don’t want to settle for poor customer
service or usability.
The Best Caregiver Apps
Once you know what qualities to look for in a caregiver support app, it becomes much easier
to conduct your search, and you can feel more confident in your download or purchase. Of
all the different caregiver apps available on the market right now, here are some of the
best that we’ve identified:
CareZone
This app is on the affordable end of the pricing spectrum, as it is free to users! The
emphasis with Carezone appears to be on sharing critical caregiving information between
multiple users. This makes it particularly useful for families where caregiving duties
are split between several family members. CareZone allows users to invite friends and
family to become ‘helpers.’ The app then allows ‘helpers’ to share task lists, health
journal entries, medical files and information on medication management so that it is
all organized in one convenient place.
Apart from staying on track with medical reminders, the app provides monthly delivery of
medications. You can also scan your insurance to get digital copies and know if you save
money on Medicare. Pharmacies may even find this app helpful because of the automated
platform that improves the overall pharmacy workflow. These include transferring
prescriptions and improving customer communications. On the downside, the application
only covers reminders for adding prescriptions or taking medications. Appointments or
medication scheduling is something that you need to add to your own calendar. But since
it is free of cost, Carezone is tough to beat.
Kinto
Kinto is a mobile app designed for families caring for aging loved ones, particularly those
with dementia. This caregiver support tool aims to make your life easier by allowing you
to manage and organize caregiving responsibilities and keep the rest of your family or
friends up-to-date on the status of your loved one’s well-being. Monitor all relevant
health records, including medication lists, insurance data, and allergy history — in
just one app. Kinto also gives a summary of all key medical information for easy
transfer to family members, doctors, and caregivers.
In addition to keeping track of medications, the app also allows you to securely store legal
and financial documents. You can create To-Do Lists and connect with other caregivers
for additional support through support groups. The app provides an environment that is
specially curated for caregivers to get support from a Care Coach and socialize with
peers. A Care Coach is an expert in the field who guides you all throughout the
caregiving journey, so you can accomplish goals and feel empowered at the same time. The
app supports shared use for up to six family members. Kinto is free and available for
iOS and Android systems.
Alzheimer’s Daily Companion
This free app for Android was created to specifically provide caregivers who are helping loved ones
with memory loss. The app is equipped with searchable solutions for different situations, so you
can learn the right support to provide to someone with Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related
illnesses. Browse through the tips and advice created by the experts, or you can also share your
own experience with others through the app. There are training resources and relevant materials
about Alzheimer’s available to caregivers, too.
The app also helps in handling behavioral patterns in their day-to-day activities, including during
baths and meals. That means you get support when dealing with communication struggles and
complex behaviors. The Alzheimer’s Daily Companion app can connect you to a 24-hour live
Alzheimer’s Association helpline should you ever need it. With this feature, you get immediate
advice from the experts through phone or email.
Medical Guardian MyGuardian Portal & App
In addition to this list of caregiver apps, the Medical Guardian MyGuardian Portal & App stands
out as a comprehensive solution for those seeking a reliable and user-friendly platform that
pairs directly with their personal emergency response device. Designed with both caregivers and
their loved ones in mind, the MyGuardian app offers a seamless experience for managing and
monitoring health and safety when your love one is equipped with a Medical Guardian device. The
app allows users to access real-time alerts, track activity, and manage emergency contacts,
ensuring that caregivers can stay informed and responsive to their loved ones’ needs. It also
has an intuitive interface for monitoring device status, viewing health trends, and setting up
personalized alerts.
Available for both Android and iOS, the MyGuardian app is a great tool for caregivers looking to
enhance their support network and ensure the well-being of their loved ones with peace of mind
and confidence. For more information, visit the Medical Guardian website or download the app from the Google Play
Store or Apple app store.
