Importance of the Internet and Apps for Carers

There’s no doubt that today’s world is technology driven and regardless of what industry you work in, using the internet on your mobile or tablet has become a way of life. It is often our first port of call when we want to know something. In fact, Google logs over 3.5 BILLION searches every day from people around the world.

Websites, social media pages and databases are constantly updated to include fresh information and resources that are designed to help people make better-informed choices about all aspects of their life.

One of the most important things as a carer is that you keep up to date with the latest information about the disability or disease you are working with, and your role in general, and one of the ways in which you can do that is through the internet.

But it’s not only Google searches that can help carers create a better environment for themselves and those in their care. Today, apps are becoming an increasingly popular technology for carers.

In 2014, research by a UK based company PatientView found that in over 1,100 respondents to a patients and carers’ survey, across 31 countries, more than 90% sought healthcare information online, with 30% using health APPs.

Those accessing healthcare apps were seeking five main things:

1. To help them understand their condition and their treatment choices better
2. To provide them with support and planning options
3. To track and monitor symptoms
4. To communicate easier with their doctor or nurses
5. To raise public awareness of their condition

One of the biggest benefits of using apps over the internet is accessibility – not only can you access the app from your mobile device at any time of day or night, from anywhere in the world – but in many cases, you can also sync your app to that of your client, family member or other carers to ensure everyone is working together. This is one of the most crucial aspects of caregiving.

Although there are thousands of apps available, some are more specialised than others. Take for example Hireup, an app that is used by both carers and people who require care. It is a social networking tool that allows people seeking care, to connect with caregivers based on shared interests and their personality or personal preferences, along with their needs.

Another great app is MedAdvisor, which allows you to connect with your local pharmacy and have an automatic list of your medications. Through a feature called Carer Mode^®, you can add medication profiles for multiple family members and access all their medication details from a single account. This is ideal if you need to monitor medicines for kids, spouse or elderly parents.

Life360 – Family locator is a GPS tracker that you can install on yours and your loved ones’ phones so you can keep track of each other’s location at all times. If you are a carer for your partner or parents, and want an easy way to find them at any time of day or night, this app is ideal. You can also see where they have been in the past 48 hours.

And CarePartners Mobile allows the caregiver to add a task list, delegate specific jobs to a number of carers, who all have access to the same information. It basically creates a community for the carers to talk to each other and exchange information about the care recipient.

Technology is advancing at record speed and having apps such as the above, and utilising them, is guaranteed to make your life as a carer much easier – which in turns provides a better outcome for your care recipient.