9 Free Apps to help Caregivers

By Meeka Ghebrai

Courtesy of A Place For Mom

3/4/21

Caring for an older loved one involves an array of tasks — managing medications, staying up-to-date on health news, and sharing information, just to name a few. App creators have come to the rescue with helpful ways to stay organized and informed. But with so many options available, deciding which is the best caregiver app for your needs is a challenge. Here we’ve outlined the features of nine free apps, available for iPhone or Android, to help you find the best match for you and your loved one.

1. CaringBridge

Communication is critical when dividing up caregiving duties and sharing updates with concerned loved ones. CaringBridge is a family caregiver app that connects multiple caregivers through a single app, providing easy access to appointment dates, new changes in health, and other essential information. Additionally, CaringBridge has partnered with GoFundMe to allow users to raise funds to pay for ongoing caregiving and medical costs. CaringBridge enables caregivers to:

• Share diagnoses, medications, treatments, and milestones with family and friends

• Maintain their loved one’s privacy through the app’s settings

• Send inspiring messages and motivation to other caregivers who have been granted access

2. ianacare – Caregiver Coordination

Built by family caregivers, ianacare is dedicated to equipping caregivers with the tools and community access to empower them during life’s most vulnerable moments. If you’re on the hunt for apps to help plan for elder caregiving, this is an excellent option.

ianacare enables caregivers to:

• Coordinate help with family and friends

• Keep your curated community updated in a private feed

• Keep your care team organized with a collaborative calendar so others know how they can offer support without needing to ask

3. Med Guide – Illuminate Health

Med Guide is a health and wellness platform that simplifies medication management and incorporates safety features that can help prevent accidental misuse or interactions. This highly collaborative family caregiver app makes it easy for you and your care network to communicate for optimal care. Top features include:

• Medication and doctor appointment reminders

• Clinical support that checks for prescription duplication, accuracy, and drug interactions

• Side effect tracker

• Wellness routines and education

• Connects with care network

Detailed reports that include side effects and other symptoms such as allergic reactions are available to print or export to doctors.

4. Medisafe

Whether your loved one faces a short-term medical need or has a prolonged and complex condition, Medisafe makes it easy to maintain their prescriptions and medical regime with reminders and alerts when medications are missed. It’s consistently ranked as a top app for medical management and makes for an excellent caregiver app. Top features include:

• Medication reminders

• Alerts to caregivers sent when medications are missed

• Medication organizer that tracks refills and expiration dates

• Syncs with GoodRx for prescription coupons

• Medication interaction warning

5. Symple

Symple makes journaling your loved one’s feelings and monitoring their health easy. It enables you to track overall well-being, steps, sleep, meals, medications, and more. Symple enables caregivers to:

• Create and track symptoms related to diet, activity, and medications

• Import steps, sleep, and other data from Apple Health

• Use timestamped photos to keep a record of which medications were taken when

• Quickly navigate past data using the interactive calendar

• Unlock premium features such as the smart journal, which makes it easy to build a list of questions for your doctor

6. InsightTimer

InsightTimer is a free self-care resource that can help caregivers reduce anxiety, relieve stress, and sleep better. It makes it easy to master the techniques of meditation, which is proven to ease anxiety and mental stress. Top features include:

• Access to thousands of guided meditations to help manage anxiety and stress, increase mindfulness, improve sleep, and more.

• Calming music, sound healing, and chanting mantras

• Discussion groups and community features

7. 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:

• Mood and goal tracking

• 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

8. MindMate

The makers of MindMate recognized the lack of digital tools for those suffering from memory loss and cognitive decline as well as their caregivers. MindMate offers engaging daily workouts to keep both the mind and body fit. Caregivers and their loved ones can benefit from features that include:

• Games designed to challenge the four core cognitive areas: problem-solving, speed, memory, and attention

• Personalized exercise routines

• Recipes and nutrition advice

9. First Aid by American Red Cross

First aid and CPR knowledge is helpful for everyone, but essential for those responsible for the health and well-being of a loved one, making this one of the best apps for caregivers. The American Red Cross created the First Aid App to provide users with clear and concise first aid and CPR instructions in the event of an emergency. Top features include:

• Simple step-by-step instructions for everyday first aid scenarios

• Steps to take during an emergency, with a 9-1-1 call button

• Videos and animations to make learning first aid fun and easy

• Weather safety and preparedness

• Preloaded content regarding all safety information

• Content in English and Spanish

Author Meeka Ghebrai