Carer support apps

Carer support apps

  • Caregiving can be rewarding but also brings challenges for the carer's health.
  • These apps aim to support carers to manage their responsibilities and reduce stress.
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Caregiving can have many rewards but can also be challenging and stressful at times. The role of a carer is often hidden in families/whānau and communities partly because many people consider it to be something that you just do. Support is usually focused on the person needing care, but as more people become carers, it's important that you take good care of yourself and get support. There is much evidence that the high demands of caregiving often lead caregivers to experience stress that affects their physical, mental and social health. Learn more about carer wellbeing. 

There are a few carer support apps which are designed to help people who provide care for others (mainly family caregivers), to manage their responsibilities, reduce stress, and access resources. These apps can assist carers looking after older adults, individuals with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or mental health conditions.

Before choosing an app, think about how it will benefit you and what you want it to be able to do.

  • An app will only be helpful if you use it, so it needs to be something you like using and find easy to use.
  • If you find the app difficult to use, or you don't like the imagery or look of it, or the language it uses, you may want to find another one that suits you better.
  • For more guidance on how to choose health apps, see How to choose a health app. 
 App  Description

Caring Village app

 Caring Village app helps families coordinate care for an ageing loved one. Read more about Caring Village app.

CogniCare – support for dementia care

 CogniCare app aims to support carers looking after people with dementia. Read more about CogniCare app.

Other apps you may find helpful

You may find the following apps useful:

  • Mental health and wellbeing apps: To learn techniques such as guided meditation and mindfulness to help you cope with feels of anxiety, depression and stress. Read more about mental health and wellbeing apps. 
  • Medication reminder apps: Apps that can help you keep track of medications - they can send you a reminder to give medicines, and you can record when you have given the dose. Read more about medication reminder apps.
  • Patient portal apps: Apps that enable New Zealanders to access local online health services through patient portals. Patient portals are secure online sites, provided by GPs, where you can request repeat prescriptions, access your health information and interact with your general practice. Read more about patient portal apps.

Dementia | Mate wareware
Ageing – what is normal and when to seek medical advice
Ageing topics
NZ Health App Library
Consumer guide: how to choose a health app
Clinicians guide: how to choose a health app
Security and privacy of health apps

References

The following references relate to articles about apps for caregiver support.

  1. Rosenfeld L, Torous J, Vahia IV. Data security and privacy in apps for dementia – an Analysis of Existing Privacy Policies(external link)  Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2017;25(8):873-877.
  2. Grossman MR, Zak DK, Zelinski EM. Mobile apps for caregivers of older adults – quantitative content analysis(external link) JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2018;6(7):e162.

Disclaimer: The NZ Health App Library is a free consumer service to help you decide whether a health app would be suitable for you. Our review process is independent. We have no relationship with the app developers or companies and no responsibility for the service they provide. This means that if you have an issue with one of the apps we have reviewed, you will need to contact the app developer or company directly.

Factsheets – using health apps safely

How to choose a health app
Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ

Privacy and security tips for using health apps
Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ

Credits: Healthify editorial team. Healthify is brought to you by Health Navigator Charitable Trust.

Read more at: https://healthify.nz/apps/c/carer-support-apps
Healthify is brought to you by Health Navigator Charitable Trust