The unfortunate reality of spinal cord injuries is that they are so debilitating that oftentimes it’s necessary for the victim to require full-time care, either by a loved one or a professional caregiver. Regardless of who may be the one tending to the aftermath of such a traumatic medical condition, it’s reassuring to know that, as time has gone on, technology has continued to advance, paving the way for seemingly endless new resources.
Nowadays, caregivers are actually overwhelmed with tools they can use to address the various complications that might arise from the caregiving process. In particular, the advent of smartphones has made it easier than ever for caregivers to manage the various tasks involved. Though there are many other contenders we could have mentioned, here are some of the best apps for caregivers.
Best Apps for Caregivers
- CaringBridge: This one is essentially a forum for the loved ones and the caregiver to all stay connected to the injured individual. Users can post updates or exchange vital information about his or her care, and they can even use it to pass along encouragement, well wishes and other uplifting messages. More than just a pragmatic tool, CaringBridge takes care a step further to building a community of support.
- Mint: While the overall health and well-being of the injured person is paramount, the finances that are affected by such health care concerns certainly deserve vigilant attention. Enter this app, which compiles all of an individual’s financial accounts into one single one-stop access point, allowing a caregiver to either keep track of the cost yielded by said care or to maintain a careful eye on the victim’s financial status on their behalf.
- Lotsa Helping Hands: Similar to CaringBridge, this calendar-based app takes a community approach to caregiving, providing a place to schedule events, post other key details and offer support. Moreover, it provides pertinent stories about caregivers as well as the opportunity to assign a particular user as the coordinator of the data included within the app itself, ensuring that all details are accurate and updated.
- WebMD: Some medical professionals may caution caregivers about referencing this app too often, as its details can often be misread and lead to leaps in medical logic. However, as a quick-reference tool for simple medical queries and relevant reports about the latest medical advances, there are few options as popular or comprehensive as WebMD. Just remember to always check with your doctor for confirmation on any medical questions or advice.
- CareZone: Custom profiles are only the beginning on this app, which goes beyond popular features like shareable updates and secure posts. For example, CareZone includes a medication log (including the ability to set reminders), a task list and voice messages that can be sent to dozens of users at once. You can even invite loved ones to use the app to stay connected to the caregiver.
- EverNote: This app is a must-download even for non-caregivers, as its intuitive design and multipurpose approach to organization are renowned. Here you can save images or links, create documents or recordings, and generally document any and all data you need to have at your fingertips. Bonus: all of the “notes” added to the app are searchable. So you never have to worry about misplacing that crucial bit of information.
- Unfrazzle: Customization is key for this app, and its far-reaching applications address a wide variety of caregivers’ needs. From in-depth tracking capabilities to the creation of journals and lists that make staying organized a cinch, Unfrazzle is a life-management tool more than anything else, but given the number of factors that a caregiver has to juggle, it is perhaps one of the most essential tools you can have at your disposal.
Going Forward
Caregivers already have their work cut out for them. So any tool that can alleviate some of that stress or create a smoother experience for all involved is a welcome addition. Luckily, today’s technology has arisen to provide more than enough ways to make the caregiving experience a richer, more successful one than ever before.
The mobile apps mentioned above are only a few of the ones available to caregivers, but we hope that this initial guide to some of the most popular and useful resources out there can effectively open your eyes to the range of options out there for caregivers.
For a more comprehensive list of great apps for caregivers, check out our detailed evaluation of apps that are helpful after a traumatic injury.
