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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Product Support: Choose a company with verifiable contact information and readily available customer service support.
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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.
