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Five smart phone apps for caregivers

Smartphone apps are cheap. You really have to marvel at what has happened to the software world in the past decade. In the bad old days, giant enterprise software vendors roamed the earth, and multi-day training sessions could (and did) make a grown person cry. Expensive licensed software, baffling user interfaces with obscurely named data elements that only the engineers could understand. Although the consolidated 'horsemen of the software apocalypse' still run large enterprises, today, end user expectations have, uh, diminished in scale. Smart phones may cost a few thousand per year in data plans, plus the phone, but software has miniaturized into inexpensive, colorful and graphic versions that by definition, must be intuitive to use, personal and functional – at less than $10/month for a service and only a few dollars for the apps.  Why no 'free' apps that are everywhere -- they're not really free. The premium version will have a price: we’re part of a hospital system that wants to help you, we’re funded by advertising. And as with phone pricing,  if you're paying for insurance or other care, 'free' is a charming euphemism.  Descriptions are from the vendor sites.

Caregivers Touch.  "Drawing from personal caregiving experiences and expertise in the areas of computer technology, healthcare, scientific research, education and business management, Caregiver’s Touch was created to help any caregiver manage and access a loved one’s critical information. Caregiver’s Touch helps the individual navigate the organizational challenges of caregiving, while allowing information to be shared with anyone they choose. Includes: Calendar of appointments, contacts, medications, medical history, hospitalization history, emergency, insurance, and other key data about care recipients. iPhone and web, in iTunes store."  $4.99. Learn more at Caregivers Touch.

Tell My Geo. "A personal-health-record app/service allows any health provider including emergency responders to access your medical history via your smartphone. Tell My Geo combines that function with a GPS locator that enables caregivers who also have the app loaded onto their smartphone to track a lost loved one. Another safety feature allows a person to call a loved one simply by touching a photo image, rather than having to remember a name." Android, $9.95/month. Learn more at TellMyGeo.

Elder 411. "iPhone App contains over 500 pieces of expert advice, which are categorized into 10 eldercare topics. Each section is organized by media type whether written, audio, or video, as well as an “Ask Dr. Marion” category. You can also create and attach notes to any written, audio, or video tip." iTunes store, $1.99. Learn more at Elder 411.

Personal Caregiver. "One of a growing subcategory of medical apps that track medications, Personal Caregiver has the added benefit of allowing you to schedule and track the medications of up to three people, including your own medications. It also allows you to receive recall alerts from the Food and Drug Administration and more. iPhone, detailed medication information with a $9.99 premium edition." Learn more at Personal Caregiver.

Pocket First Aid & CPR. "All content provided by the American Heart Association, the nation's oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of heart disease and stroke. Learn more by visiting www.heart.org. Powered by Jive Media, the leading producer of consumer medical applications for mobile devices."  $1.99, either iPhone or Android. Learn more at Pocket First Aid & CPR.

Comments

CareTree.me is another app that falls into the category of assisting caregivers and families stay connected, while being at the $10 per month price point. CareTree was one of 10 startups in North America invited to present at AARP's national conference and was winner of best startup at the 2012 Chicago Health 2.0 conference. Use 'PromoCarl' to try it for free at www.caretree.me

I like the idea of the product mentioned in the post:
http://memotouch.com/TakeaTour.aspx

However, my mom already has an ipad.

I don't want the extra expense of an extra device.

Does anyone know of a similar service as an ipad app?

Specifically: it would be great if the elderly person could confirm taking each dose of medicine, and the care-giver can check the website or be notified if the elderly person doesn't log in (or log taking it)?

Thanks,
Mike

Interesting but I can't see my mom taking a picture of her pills eat time she takes them.

I'm not too worried about her getting the pills mixed up, just failing to take them.

I have considered wifi enabled pill boxes, and a variety of other options.

I cheapest and best would be something where she could record a dose taken on her android phone or ipad, and then allow me to log into the website and monitor compliance (or be notified of missed doses)

Thanks for any suggestions,

Mike

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