Keeping Track of Mom’s Health? There’s an App for That!

Mom lives 50 miles from you and your siblings. It’s close enough that any of you can get there whenever you need to, but far enough that none of you can help her keep tabs on her diabetes and arthritis as easily as you’d like.

There’s good news for you — and all the other long-distance caregivers in the US, a number estimated at 7 to 10 million: There’s an app for that!

In fact, there are several to choose from. Here are two that are available on iPhones and Android phones, as well as online:

CareZone

CareZone is comprehensive, allowing you to create lists of medications, record doctor appointments and health issues, and create a list of contacts for everyone on your loved one’s “team.”

It also allows for uploads of important documents such as insurance cards, power of attorney forms and advance directives.

Access to the information is easily shared, which is convenient in a crisis but needs to be used cautiously in order to protect privacy.

One downside of CareZone is that it does not allow anyone to be assigned or to volunteer to take on a task, such as taking Mom to her next doctor’s appointment.

CaringBridge

While not as comprehensive as CareZone, CaringBridge allows tasks to be divided among all caregivers. It also provides a central location where friends and family can log in to check on Mom’s status during a health crisis, a much more convenient solution for caregivers than receiving an endless flow of inquiries via text and phone.

App participants can also send each other messages, creating a way to provide support to the patient and their caregivers without disrupting them with notifications.

Since health crises sometimes lead to financial crises, CaringBridge allows participants to set up a GoFundMe page where friends and family can contribute toward medical expenses, directly through the app.

Neither of these meet your needs? New apps appear (and disappear) every day. If you’re looking for the right app for your situation, consider the following factors:

• Is it available on both iPhone and Android?
• Is it easy to use, or does it require a high level of tech-savvy?
• Does it allow you to do the most essential tasks you need, whether it’s keeping track of medications or sharing responsibility for taking Mom to the doctor?

Technology makes many things easier, but it isn’t the answer for everything. If Mom’s care is becoming too difficult, the best solution may be human and not electronic. Tower Lodge Care Center, in Wall, NJ, offers warm, compassionate care, where every resident feels like a part of the family. Call us at 732-681-1400, or by clicking here, to speak with us about Mom’s needs and to schedule a tour.