Caregiver Apps to Help Relax
Our friends at The Naperville Senior Center shared this month’s article with us. If you haven’t learned about their Adult Day Care services, check out their website at http://www.napervilleseniorcenter.com/.
It’s no secret: the technology industry is a young person’s game. Despite the rising senior population, very few technologies cater (or even accommodate) older generations. This is a real problem for caregivers who are struggling to find a happy medium between their loved one’s needs and the ever increasing presence of technology. But all is not lost for the modern day caregiver. Though few, there are apps out there that help with the tasks of care giving. Here are some of our favorites:
Care Zone: If you have a large family, you know it’s difficult to get everyone on the same page. Often times everyone knows some parts of the puzzle when it comes to your loved one’s care, but a lack of communication leads to confusion and ignorance. CareZone eliminates that problem. Through this app you can add anyone who watches over your loved one as a Helper. Once listed as a Helper you can choose what features of the app they can view or edit, including meal time observations, medication information, and more. Plus, if you ever need to quickly share a message to your whole support network, Care Zone has a feature where you can broadcast that news to up to 100 people at a time. What’s better? This is all free!
Pain Care: Another great free app. Pain Care serves as a one-stop pain journal. Record intensity, pain triggers, time of day, treatments used, and more all in one place. This app is very useful when trying to determine patterns of pain and discomfort. Maybe mom feels the most pain when she has been sitting all day, maybe dad needs to be at a healthy BMI to feel most comfortable, or maybe there is a new medical treatment your doctor might consider. No matter what you find, Pain Care helps you navigate your loved one’s symptoms in a way that paper methods just don’t do.
Lotsa Helping Hands: For most caregivers, scheduling can be a daunting task. Trying to coordinate who does what, when, and how is a job in itself. Lotsa Helping Hands eliminates this issue by facilitating all of the planning needed to care for an aging senior. Through this website you can mark which days care is provided, which days require extra help, and which days need special attention. Once set up, it is easy for all members of your care community to access the calendar and volunteer to help out. No more phone tag or miscommunication—Lotsa Helping Hands happens in real time! The only problem is that there is no phone app to go along with the website as of now. This may change in the future, but for now you need a computer to access this caregiving tool.
INRFOOD: If you’re having trouble keeping track of which foods are safe for your loved one, INRFOOD is a wonderful app to try. The app keeps track of all dietary needs and preferences in the house and cross-references those needs when you are at the grocery store. Simply scan the product’s barcode and the app can tell you everything. INRFOOD comes with a 30-day free trial and then you have to pay. However, the payment is a one-time fee of three dollars. The one-time payment also adds features like video tips from dietitians and much more. Well worth the price.
Technology is all about convenience and caregivers need all the convenience they can get. Even though, by and large, most technology is designed for the young, apps like these reach across the age gap. At the very least they add peace of mind to your day!
To learn about additional ways you can get caregiving assistance for a loved one, contact a certified Elder Law Attorney such as Linda Strohschein and her team at Strohschein Law Group. To set up an appointment, contact Strohschein Law Group at 630-377-3241.