The job of many elderly home care providers is becoming much easier to manage because of advances in technology and the availability of certain applications. Some of the most useful apps are focused on making organization easier. These apps also often increase communication between medical providers, patients, and caretakers to allow for more streamlined management.
The following app categories have transformed the caregiver position:
- Medicine information and organization
- Payment and applications for logging hours
- Apps for taking notes and logging information about the patient
These apps remove a lot of stress from the caregiver’s position.
More Technology for Caregiver Positions
Another form of technology that has made elderly home care easier to manage is the development of online patient portals, which allow doctors and nurses to send messages to patients. This allows for faster resolution of medical issues and fewer phone calls from the caregiver position.
The way that email is used in elderly home care has also evolved. Email contacts with seniors can be a much easier way for seniors and their loved ones to communicate with each other and the home care agency. Treatment plans can be discussed and laid out more efficiently if they are typed and outlined in e-mail form.
Let’s look into a few of the apps a little more in-depth.
Some of the Best Apps
CaringBridge: This app allows a large number of people to connect through the use of the app. This includes the patients, caregivers, doctors, nurses, and the family of the patients. Routines and special instructions can be passed on to the caregiver by family members and medical staff.
iPharmacy Pro: This app allows caregivers to identify pills very quickly. If there is a medication or dosage the care provider has questions about, they can reference this app instead of taking the time to call a doctor or a pharmacist.
Elder411: This fantastic app has most of the information a caregiver needs. There are pages upon pages of guides about communication, senior safety tips, equipment information, and much more.
Alzheimer’s Caregiver Buddy: This app is designed to assist family and professional caregivers in time management skills. Caregivers can learn effective activities to keep their patient’s minds stimulated.
FirstAid by Red Cross: Medical emergencies with a patient can be traumatic for a caregiver. This app contains comprehensive sets of instructions to help care providers with what to do in specific situations. With this app installed, caregivers will be much better prepared to react in case of an emergency.
Moving Into the Future
So much technology exists that it’s hard to predict the future of homecare apps and other resources. One thing is certain; with groundbreaking technology available, building on these programs will surely unveil exciting new interfaces and dashboards moving into 2022.
App to Watch
The one app that is coming down the pipeline but has not yet launched fully is MyLifeline, which will revolutionize many aspects of elderly home care. This app allows caregivers to get notifications about their patient’s health statuses and alerts the caregiver when the patient needs help. There are also tools to remind family members of important appointments or tasks they should complete for their parents or grandparent.
It seems the most valuable apps are the ones that include every element the process of senior care. The caregiver, medical workers, the family, and perhaps the patient can communicate and plan collectively, which leads to a better overall experience for all parties involved.
