What Apps Are Available To Help Senior Caregivers
There are a variety of helpful apps available for senior caregivers.
Some of these apps can help with medication management and medication reminders, appointments, and medical information. Others can provide tips on caring for an elderly loved one, or help connect caregivers with local resources.
Many of these caregiving apps are free, but some may have a subscription fee.
With so many apps available, theres sure to be one that can help you manage your caregiving responsibilities and better maintain a healthy balance in your life.
Take a look at the list of 31 best caregiver apps that we have below!
Just For You: Caregiver Mobile Apps For The Caregiver
- Headspace: Dont forget your own self-care. Meditation is an ancient practice with health benefits backed by modern science. The practice has been linked to improvements in anxiety and stress, as well as better sleep and focus. This app guides you through the meditative process, and 5- and 10-minute practices help you fit meditation into your busy routine. Free trial. Available at the App Store and Google Play.
- Sanvello: If youre feeling overwhelmed, there are apps that can help you work through emotional challenges. Quick activities, clear goals and community support help you address stress, anxiety and depression with tactics based in cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness. This app is wonderful if you cant make it to therapy or if youre between sessions. Basic version is free. Advanced version is $8.99 per month. Available at the App Store and Google Play.
- A Podcast App Download a podcast app to hear discussions and advice on everything related to caregiving. There are a number of podcasts that will give you practical advice on caregiving and self-care, encouragement and the knowledge that youre not alone. Here are three podcasts to check out:
- Caregiver/Storyteller
- Caregiver Podcast
- Happy, Healthy Caregiver
- Eldercare Illuminated
Senior Care Manager App
Loretta’s thoughts: “This is the best organizer ever! It allows you to have a network of family and friends to help with caregiving. Each Monday, an email is sent to me with all of my mom’s appointments. I can assign them to others or do it myself. This app can keep families organized with their loved one’s appointments, medicines, to-do lists, etc., even if they don’t communicate all that well the app does all the work. All family members have to do is enter the information into the record. You don’t have to call people with updates they can access the information themselves.”
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Main Features And Functionality Of The Selected Apps
Content and Educational Features
In total, 7 apps did not state which scientific orientation was followed to develop their content and 1 app reported using therapeutic reasoning to recommend care strategies to caregivers. None of the apps made clinical claims of improving caregivers and care recipients emotional, mental, and physical health. Half of apps presented content tailored for both the person with ADRD and caregivers, 2 focused on care strategies for the person with ADRD, 1 targeted the level of care to be provided to the person with ADRD, and 1 aimed to help caregivers to organize and share multiple care tasks with a network of care supporters.
All apps relied on textual information to disseminate their content and allowed clients to select the content to be navigated 4 apps included hyperlinks to organizations websites 1 included 1-2-minute videos 1 included audios and 1 had animations. Only 1 app included an avatar, that is, a photo of the psychiatrist who had sanctioned the content of the app. Overall, 3 apps drew on case scenarios and testimonials to build caregivers skills on how to deal with a person with ADRD. Notably, 7 apps did not recommend the timing of app use to caregivers 1 recommended daily access. Most apps did not allow progress tracking, 1 used charts to demonstrate clients progress, and 1 used textual feedback.
Social Media Features
Credibility and Evidence Base
Behavioral Change Technique Categories
Apps For Alzheimers And Dementia Caregivers
- Alz & Dementia Daily Companion This app for Alzheimers caregivers is easy to navigate and loaded with practical tips from experts for everyday situations and challenges. And if caregivers would like further in-depth reading, they can seek out the companion book Confidence in Care. Free. Available at the App Store and Google Play.
- Dementia Caregiver Solutions Expert advice on 25 of the most challenging dementia-related behaviors. Youll find strategies and tips to help manage some of the high-stress situations you may face. $2.99. Available at the App Store.
- MindMate Providing actionable guidance for someone in the earlier stages of dementia, MindMate combines mental stimulation, physical exercises, nutrition advice, recipes, and secure storage for photos and memories. Each feature is designed for a holistic approach to living with dementia. Free. Available at the App Store.
- MyReef 3D Aquarium A relaxing view of 14 different types of fish in a reef, the interface allows users to interact with the fish or simply watch them swim by. This app is intuitive and easy to use, and great for people living with even advanced forms of dementia. Free with ads, $2.99 without ads. Available at the App Store and Google Play.
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Caregiver Organization And Tracking Of Important Medical Details:
- Journal feature for documenting of symptoms and sharing updates with family members.
- Calendar feature for keeping track of doctor appointments and share access with family.
- Contacts tool for quick access to doctors, pharmacies, supply providers and health plans.
- To-do List for a synchronized list of tasks and important errands that can be assigned to family or friends when help is needed.
- Notes section to store important details.
- for convenient access and easy reference.
- Sharing: In the case of an emergency or care coordination, this feature allows safe sharing and access by family members of your choice.
CareZone keeps your data safe with encryption and storage in a secure location with privacy protection. for CareZones full privacy details.
Caremind For Fitbit App
Loretta’s thoughts: “What I really love about this app is that it’s tailor-made for folks who don’t live with their loved ones. If they walked 3,000 steps per day on average and all of the sudden one day drop down to 1,000, it could indicate that someone needs to check in to determine if anything is wrong. It’s even more important if the sleep patterns change dramatically, which is also followed by this app. It can give peace of mind to long-distance caregivers.”
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Spark Memories Radio App
Loretta’s thoughts: “This is a great app. I love it because though it’s a paid app, it has a lot of songs, and when your loved one doesn’t like the song you can skip it, and if they like it, you can repeat the song. I love that you can create playlists just as you can on your phone. It’s created by a doctor who’s also a musician and developed it to spark memories in dementia patients. My mom sings along and, of course, that makes me happy.”
App Enthusiast Loretta Shares Her Top Picks
Motivational speaker and author Loretta Woodward Veney and her mom, who has dementia, have become celebrities in our dementia community, having been featured in articles in the Washington Post, the New York Times, and a PBS special featuring Alzheimer’s caregivers. As Loretta and I became good friends, I noted her enthusiasm for apps . Read on to hear Loretta’s thoughts on the best caregiving and dementia apps out there, and why they may work for you.
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Caring For Aging Parents: 13 Of The Best Apps For Caregivers
If youre caring for aging parents or a loved one, no one has to tell you how hectic life can be. Fortunately, there are many caregiver apps available for smartphones and tablets that can help you strike a better balance between providing elderly care and your other everyday responsibilities. Below are 13 of the best caregiver apps that can help keep you organized, connected, save time and reduce stress.
Apps For Medication Management And Tracking
Medisafe
Easy to use, Medisafe is a great app for managing your loved ones prescriptions and medications. Many primary caregivers love it because its sole purpose is to send you and your loved one personalized reminders for when medications and what dosage need to be taken, and a tracker is used to confirm it. Caregivers also can be alerted if medications were missed. Theres also a pill counter that alerts you when refills are needed. Plus theres a calendar, doctor appointment manager, and a logbook to share, if desired, with a physician.Available for free at the App Store and Google Play.
RxSaver by RetailMeNot
Who doesnt like to save money? The RxSave app makes comparison shopping for medications simple and finds valuable coupons that can save you up to 80% off prescription drug prices whether you have insurance or not. Just enter the name of a medication along with your ZIP code, and RxSaver will show a list of current pricing with coupons at local pharmacies. Simply choose the one you desire and save it to your smartphone or print it out to show to the pharmacy staff when you arrive.Available for free at the App Store and Google Play.
eCare21
Symple
Alzheimers Caregiver Buddy
MindMate
Its Done!
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Apps For Staying Prepared
First Aid by American Red Cross
This popular app provides instant access to lifesaving information on handling the most common first aid emergencies, including CPR. It features simple step-by-step instructions with prioritized steps to take during an emergency, plis videos and animations to make learning first aid fun and easy, and safety and preparedness tips for a range of severe weather. You can also easily call 911 at any point within the app.Available for free at the App Store and Google Play.
Daily Apps To Help Caregivers Take Care Of Their Loved Ones
Balancing schedules. Remembering medication. Tracking symptoms.
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.
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Alzheimers Caregiver Support Features On Caregiver Buddy:
- Instant advice and help for caregivers
- Education on how to handle wandering, bathing and activities of daily living
- Information on dealing with challenging behaviors and communication issues
- Learning about daily routines and how they can help
Caregiver Buddy is also integrated with the 24-7 Alzheimers Association Helpline for instant caregiver access to free, live help.
Alzheimer’s And Dementia Companion App
Loretta’s thoughts: “I love this app. There are so many amazing suggestions to help with challenging situations. It’s so helpful in the middle of the night when you’re feeling alone! There are all kinds of strategies for bedtime struggles and ways to manage sleep problems. I call it the best encyclopedia for this disease. You can learn a ton just by reading the tips. They are short and concise, just what you need when you need a quick answer to problem.”
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More Technology For Caregiver Positions
Another form of technology that has made elderly home care easier to manage is the development of online patient portals, which allow doctors and nurses to send messages to patients. This allows for faster resolution of medical issues and fewer phone calls from the caregiver position.
The way that email is used in elderly home care has also evolved. Email contacts with seniors can be a much easier way for seniors and their loved ones to communicate with each other and the home care agency. Treatment plans can be discussed and laid out more efficiently if they are typed and outlined in e-mail form.
Lets look into a few of the apps a little more in-depth.
Apps With The Caregivers Health In Mind
CareBetter
CareBetter connects you with a community of people who are also caring for loved ones with Alzheimers or other forms of dementia. You can text or email, one to one, with a fellow caregiver whos going through a similar journey and understands. The app also puts you in touch with trusted nonmedical experts in the field of dementia dietitians, care managers, financial advisers, benefits specialists, elder care attorneys who can provide guidance and answer care-related questions to help you make informed decisions for your loved one.Free to download at the App Store and Google Play.
Pacifica
Self-care is essential for caregivers. Pacifica is a mindfulness app designed by psychologists to help improve the mental health of caregivers experiencing stress, anxiety and depression. It provides guided lessons, activities and methods for meditation, relaxation, mood tracking and behavioral therapy. Pacifica helps break the cycle of negative thoughts and effectively manage mental health. It also connects you with communities and groups for sharing advice and getting support from others.Free to download at the App Store and Google Play, with extra features available for a monthly or yearly subscription.
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Best Apps For Family Caregivers
Alz & Dementia Daily Companion A great app that can help caregivers of seniors with dementia or Alzheimers disease deal with the daily struggles of caring for their senior loved ones. Its filled with practical tips on how to deal with specific situations and issues.
- Available on Google Play
Caring Village Caring Village helps family caregivers connect with each other to exchange information and support. The app also provides access to a directory of caregiving services in your area.
- Available on both Google Play and the Apple Store
Caredriver Book a ride through this app.
- Available on both Google Play and the Apple Store
Carefolk Designed by caregivers for caregivers! Filled with tools to help manage caregiver stress. Appointment reminders, calendar, organizers, etc.
- Cost: Not listed
- Available on both Google Play and the Apple Store
Caregiven This app provides caregivers with access to online support groups, educational resources, and a directory of caregiving services.
- Available on both Google Play and the Apple Store
Carely Keep track of appointments, use a shared calendar with other family caregivers and list and organize activities, tasks, etc.
- Available on both Google Play and the Apple Store
Caretrainr This app is designed to help caregivers manage their own physical and emotional well-being. It includes a workout tracker, stress management tools, and a forum for connecting with other caregivers.
- Cost: $14.99 / month
- Available on the Apple Store
Why You Should Try These Apps
Apps can be a great way to connect with your loved ones as a caregiver. If you are at home with your smartphone and love apps, give these a try. Conversely, if you are just getting your feet wet, start with a simple one, like the coloring app. If you are a distance caregiver, the organizing apps may be more up your alley. Soon enough, you’ll find yourself becoming tech-savvy and enjoying more stress-free quality time with your loved one.
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Research Aims And Questions
These converging issues and trends highlight a knowledge gap in the current landscape of commercially available apps, their integration of behavioral techniques, content focus, and compliance with usability recommendations. A minimum starting point for improving the design of apps for this population is to systematically review and inventory the apps caregivers might typically be exposed to, not just those studied and reported on in the academic literature. The review is guided by the following questions:
Sanvello: Anxiety & Depression
Sanvello is another self-care resource that is excellent for caregivers. This app is a feel-better toolkit that incorporates elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy and coaching to reduce stress and anxiety.
Top features include:
- Activities that allow you to journal and examine thought patterns
- Techniques for managing difficult emotions, building confidence, or developing a mindfulness practice
- Premium version offers therapy and one-on-one coaching and may be covered under health insurance
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The Use Of Technology And Apps For Elderly Home Care
The job of many elderly home care providers is becoming much easier to manage because of advances in technology and the availability of certain applications. Some of the most useful apps are focused on making organization easier. These apps also often increase communication between medical providers, patients, and caretakers to allow for more streamlined management.
The following app categories have transformed the caregiver position:
- Medicine information and organization
- Payment and applications for logging hours
- Apps for taking notes and logging information about the patient
These apps remove a lot of stress from the caregivers position.
First Aid By American Red Cross
When youre a full-time caregiver, there are so many things you have to remember. You never know when you may need to use CPR at any moment. Wouldnt it be nice to lifesaving information around with you in your pocket wherever you go? Well now you can with American Red Crosss First Aid app. As well as CPR basics, this app can provide you with info on identifying health concerns by symptoms. Theres also a quiz section to test your knowledge. You can download this app for free for iPhone and Android.
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