Technology can be overwhelming, but we’re here to help! Well, we’re not here to help with the I.T. part, but we can point caregivers toward helpful resources.
Truthfully, even searching for helpful resources for caregivers can feel like a lot to handle. Before you know it, what started as a quick search on the internet can turn into a long adventure of clicking from one website to another, hoping that you’re finding the information and the help you need.
In this month’s blog post, we are focusing on apps, websites, and podcasts for caregivers. The way we see it, these types of technology can provide caregivers with four main benefits: organization, information, connection, and self-care.
Used well, technology can make things a little easier, fill your toolbox, and remind you that you’re not alone. With that in mind, we’re offering these lists as helpful places to start. We want to emphasize that these particular resources are only a few of the many that are available, and we’ll look forward to sharing more in the future.
What technology do you find helpful as a caregiver? We would love to hear your suggestions in the comments section below!
- CareZone (app and website):
- Why this is helpful: Organize files, contacts, medications, and photos of important documents. Log and track health information. Coordinate care with family members and other caregivers using a shared calendar and journal.
- CaringBridge (app and website):
- Why this is helpful: Share news, updates, and photos with everyone on your list at the same time. Tell your community how they can best help you, and receive notes of encouragement.
- LotsaHelpingHands (app and website):
- Why this is helpful: Post specific requests for support for tasks such as meal delivery, rides, visits, and appointments. A simple Help Calendar allows your community to find ways to help and coordinate logistics. Share updates and receive well wishes.
- Online health management tools through your doctor’s offices (like www.mywakehealth.org and mynovant.org):
- Why they are helpful: Connect your personalized health records, communicate with your doctor, access your test results, keep medication records, request prescription refills, get appointment reminders, and more.
- The Family House Family Facebook group
- Why this is helpful: This group is a public Facebook group for former guests of the SECU Family House in Winston-Salem. You can share stories and updates as well as provide support to other former guests.
- Caregiver Action Network
- Why this is helpful: In addition to providing a helpful toolbox that addresses a variety of topics, this website offers an online Care Community where caregivers can share ideas as well as The CAN Story Project where you can share your stories.
- Smart Patients
- Why this is helpful: This website includes an online community for people who are experiencing similar health concerns and caregiving situations. Caregivers can learn from one another, share stories, and provide support.
Many disease-specific organizations (like the American Cancer Society and the Alzheimer’s Association) provide online support communities for caregivers and patients.
- Family Caregiver Alliance
- Why this is helpful: This website provides helpful information about health conditions, caregiving issues and strategies, fact and tip sheets, and webinars and videos. Includes the Family Care Navigator, which directs people to resources in their states.
- Family Caregiver Council
- Why this is helpful: This website steers caregivers to information and resources that address a variety of topics including caregiving, driving and transportation, finances, housing, legal, and health & disease specific.
- National Caregivers Library
- Why this is helpful: This website offers extensive information about caregiving, links to topic-specific resources, checklists, and forms related to a variety of topics.
- Moneygeek
- Why this is helpful: This website provides helpful information about a variety of caregiving topics that range from coordinating care, finding legal tools, family dynamics, respite care, long-distance caregiving, and more.
- GoodGrief podcast
- Why this is helpful: This podcast explores the losses that define our lives, often with interviews of guests who share their own stories of grief and their journey toward meaning and wholeness.
- Your Caregiving Journey podcast
- Why this is helpful: This podcast explores a wide variety of caregiving situations with guests who offer their own expertise and stories as caregivers.
- Dave, The Caregiver’s Caregiver
- Why this is helpful: This website, along with the weekly podcasts, is designed to help caregivers take care of themselves and avoid burnout.
- Insight Timer app
- Why this is helpful: This app offers free guided meditations, relaxing ambient sounds, and discussion groups that offer community support.