Smart Phone Apps Offer Help to Caregivers

At my law firm, I meet a lot of amazing people who are dealing with serious physical and mental disabilities. I’ve also had the pleasure of meeting the family members and loved ones who take care of our clients. Caregivers are often unsung heroes, and not many people understand how demanding the caregiver role can be.

In addition to traditional support groups that help caregivers cope with the pressures they face, smart phone apps can make things a little easier. From maintaining medical records to scheduling medical appointments, these apps can help organize and simplify a caregiver’s responsibilities.

Recently, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review published an article listing some of these apps:

• Caregiver’s Touch provides space for a calendar for appointments, emergency contact list, medical history chart, military and religious history, and personal notes for up to six different patients. $4.99
• Pain Care allows patients and caregivers to be proactive in their health care by tracking symptoms, triggers, and side effects. Patients can log their levels of pain, location on the body, and duration. Free
• Tell My Geo serves as a personal health record, storing a patient’s medical history and making it available to emergency responders in the event of a medical emergency. Additionally, it has a GPS function that enables caregivers to track a lost loved one. $9.95/month
• “the little blue book” gives caregivers access to physicians, pharmacies, and hospitals in their area throughout the United States. Free

Given the growing popularity of smart phones, it’s only natural that more and more apps will become available. By taking advantage of these simple but helpful apps, you can reduce the confusion and stress associated with your role as a caregiver. And sometimes it’s the little things that make the biggest difference.