21 highly rated apps for family caregivers

Caring for an aging parent or loved one can involve a lot of moving parts. Caregiver apps may make some responsibilities easier, from organizing schedules and medication reminders to tracking health information and keeping your care circle connected. In this article, we’ve gathered 25 apps designed to simplify caregiving duties and help you support your loved one’s health and well-being.

To save you time sorting through app ratings, our list focuses on highly rated options. At the time this article was written, we reviewed caregiver apps and included those that received a rating of 4.5 or higher out of 5 with one noted exception that had no rating available. Here’s a helpful list of caregiver apps.

What responsibilities do family caregivers manage?

If you’re supporting an older adult, you may be balancing responsibilities across several areas. Here are some of the tasks a family caregiver might manage on a typical day:

• Physical care: Helping with daily activities such as bathing, grooming, mobility, and home safety modifications.

• Medication management: Overseeing medication intake, arranging refills, and working with medical professionals.

• Medical appointments: Organizing and attending medical appointments while maintaining and sharing relevant health records.

• Emotional support: Providing companionship and emotional comfort to a loved one.

• Household management: Managing household chores, meal planning, grocery shopping, and a safe living environment.

• Financial management: Handling bill payments, budgeting, insurance claims, and expense tracking.

• Safety and security: Addressing potential home hazards and supporting a loved one’s well-being.

• Communication and coordination: Serving as the primary contact for family members, health care professionals, and other caregivers.

• Health monitoring: Observing and recording changes in health conditions and maintaining comprehensive health records.

• Transportation: Arranging or providing transportation for errands and outings.

• Advocacy: Protecting a loved one’s rights, needs, and preferences in health care and lifestyle decisions.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s understandable. You’re managing a lot. Technology, support networks, and other resources available through caregiver apps may help lighten the load while you continue providing thoughtful care. Here are several apps that might make your day-to-day responsibilities easier.

Caregiver apps for managing care responsibilities

When caregiving tasks start to pile up, shared tools can help you stay organized. These caregiver apps are designed to support communication, task management, and care coordination.

• CaringBridge: This caregiver app provides a centralized, secure place to update family and friends about an older adult’s health, progress, and specific needs. Family caregivers can create journal entries, share medical updates, and receive supportive messages from loved ones, helping everyone stay connected throughout the caregiving journey. (View the app) Rated 4.9 out of 5.

• eCare21: This caregiver app offers remote health monitoring capabilities. Family caregivers can track vital signs, monitor medication adherence, and receive alerts about concerning changes in an older adult’s health. This real-time information can help caregivers stay proactive and respond to potential issues promptly. (View the app) Rated 4.7 out of 5.

• Symple: Designed as a comprehensive health journal, Symple allows family caregivers to record different aspects of an older adult’s health. By tracking symptoms, medications, and overall well-being, caregivers can gather information to share with health care professionals, supporting more accurate diagnoses and informed treatment plans. (View the app) Rated 4.5 out of 5.

• CareZone: CareZone helps family caregivers organize several aspects of care. It simplifies medication management by tracking schedules, dosages, and refills. The app also provides a place to create to-do lists, store important documents such as medical records, and share care updates with family members. These features may help everyone stay informed and navigate family disagreements. (View the app) Rated 4.5 out of 5.

• Connected Caregiver: This app helps family members and other caregivers share updates, manage tasks, and coordinate care with health care professionals, supporting clear communication and effective care management. (View the app) Rated 4.7 out of 5.

Apps for caregivers to monitor health

Keeping up with health information can be time-consuming. These caregiver apps turn a smartphone into a tool for monitoring medications, symptoms, and other health information.

• Medisafe: A comprehensive medication management app that provides reminders, tracks medication adherence, and offers drug interaction warnings. (View the app) Rated 4.7 out of 5.

• Welltory Heart Rate Monitor: A stress and energy management app that provides insights into well-being, heart rate, sleep quality, and stress levels. (View the app) Rated 4.7 out of 5.

• WebMD: Offers a symptom checker, medication information, and health guidance to help manage an older adult’s health conditions. (View the app) Rated 4.7 out of 5.

• iBP Blood Pressure: Helps track and manage blood pressure readings, allowing family caregivers to monitor trends and share information with health care professionals. (View the app) Rated 4.8 out of 5.

Caregiver apps for household and family organization

Managing a household can feel like a juggling act, especially when you’re also coordinating care. These apps can bring everyday tasks into one place and make them easier to manage.

• Grocery Gadget: Simplifies grocery shopping by creating and sharing lists with family members, supporting meal planning and shopping coordination. (View the app) Rated 4.5 out of 5.

• RxSaver: This free app helps family caregivers and older adults save money on prescription medications by providing discounts, coupons, and price comparisons at nearby pharmacies. (View the app) Rated 4.8 out of 5.

• Uber Health: Although it isn’t technically an app, this Uber feature provides transportation for medical appointments, helping loved ones get to checkups on time. (View the service) No rating available.

Caregiver apps for physical and emotional well-being

Your well-being matters, too. These apps are designed to make it easier for family caregivers and older adults to support physical activity, mental engagement, and emotional well-being.

• Lumosity: Offers brain-training exercises and games intended to support cognitive health and help older adults stay mentally engaged. (View the app) Rated 4.7 out of 5.

• SilverSneakers GO: Offers workout routines and fitness challenges for older adults, supporting an active lifestyle. (View the app) Rated 4.5 out of 5.

• TED: Continued engagement can support mental well-being. The TED app provides access to a large library of educational videos and inspiring talks on a wide range of topics, encouraging lifelong learning. (View the app) Rated 4.5 out of 5.

• Ianacare: This caregiver app helps coordinate caregiving responsibilities by creating a support network where family, friends, and neighbors can share tasks, updates, and important information. (View the app) Rated 4.7 out of 5.

• Happify: This digital self-care app provides science-backed activities and games intended to reduce stress and improve emotional well-being, making it a useful tool for family caregivers managing their mental health. (View the app) Rated 4.5 out of 5.

Apps for dementia caregivers

• It’s Done: This app serves as a digital checklist for family caregivers and the people they support. It tracks everyday tasks, medications, appointment reminders, and more, helping ensure essential parts of a daily routine aren’t missed. (View the app) Rated 4.7 out of 5.

• My House of Memories: This app gives people living with dementia and their caregivers a way to revisit memorabilia and moments from the past, supporting recall and meaningful interaction. (View the app) Rated 5 out of 5.

• Alzheimer’s Daily Companion: This app provides family caregivers supporting someone living with Alzheimer’s disease with resources, calming techniques for difficult moments, daily care tips, and a community where caregivers can find support and share experiences. (View the app) Rated 4.5 out of 5.

• Dementia Caregiver Solutions: This app provides advice and possible solutions for people caring for someone living with dementia, helping them handle everyday challenges, manage symptoms, and support their loved one’s quality of life. (View the app) Rated 5 out of 5.

Supporting an aging parent as a primary family caregiver can be challenging, especially when you’re balancing care with work, family, and other responsibilities. Caregiver apps can help streamline tasks and support communication among family caregivers, other care circle members, and health care professionals. These tools may reduce stress, improve organization, and help you provide more coordinated care for your loved one.

Mobile apps can also make it easier to expand and coordinate your care network. Available through platforms such as Google Play and the Apple App Store, these tools can help you stay organized. Some are free, while others offer added features through monthly or yearly subscriptions.

Features may include syncing with wearable devices and communicating directly with health care professionals. Beyond logistical support, some apps offer support groups and encouraging messages that remind you that you’re not navigating caregiving alone.

Start by choosing the app that addresses your most pressing need, whether that’s medication management, household organization, health monitoring, or communication.