More Helpful Apps for Caregivers 2017- Monitoring & Meals

By Anna Hazard

View the Rest of the Series

Part 1 - More Helpful Apps for Caregivers 2017 (Scheduling & Medication)
Part 3 - More Helpful Apps for Caregivers 2017 (Stress Relief)

Introduction

This second part on our update regarding iOS and Android smartphone apps for caregivers focuses mostly apps for remotely monitoring a senior loved one's health & activity and food & recipe apps that would be helpful for busy people with little time on their hands or with other special needs.
 
Most of these programs are suitable for use by both patients and caregivers (and is required by some of them). Remember to discuss any planned monitoring attempts with your loved ones before proceeding with those particular style of apps.

Apps

Elderly Care

• iOS | Android (Free)
  
• This app focuses on information, articles, and tips on how to deal with daily life and new findings regarding elderly care

Care4Today

• iOS |Android (Free)
  
• This app functions as a medication reminder tool that can be used by both the patient and the caregiver at the same time. The caregiver can remotely monitor reminders for taking pills (and send along their own personal reminders as well) and view logs for how well the patient is adhering to their schedule.

Easy Logger

• Android (Free,  Pro Version Available for $5 per month)
  
• This app allows the caregiver to monitor their loved one's cell phone use including phone calls, text messages, app use, as well as GPS live location tracking.

Phone Sheriff

• iOS | Android ($89.00 per year)
  
• This app allows a caregiver to remotely monitor their elderly loved ones through their cell phones with real time updates, GPS tracking, notifications when the patient crosses set Geo fences, a panic button for the user to immediately alert their caregiver of an emergency, as well as monitoring of text messages and app use

Senior Monitor: Elder Care For Grandma & Grandpa

• iOS (Free, with available in App Purchases)
  
• This app allows the caregiver to remotely view live video & audio feeds of their elderly loved ones directly through their smartphones. Real time communication with multiple feeds (monitoring multiple people at once) is also available.

Care | Mind

• iOS (Free)
  
• This app integrates with Fitbit to allow a caregiver to remotely monitor their loved one's vital signs such as sleep, step activity, and heart rate. It also allows the caregiver to receive alerts when abnormal heart rates are detected (when used with Fitbit Charge HR) or for other custom set-ups (such as for extended periods of inactivity, a poor night's sleep etc)

FoodSmarts

• iOS | Android (Free)
  
• This app was developed by the National Stroke Association and  provides personalized nutrition guidance, recipes, and available items at local grocery stores and restaurants based upon the inputted dietary preferences and the presence of chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and others, with an emphasis on helping to reduce stroke risks.

All Recipes Dinner Spinner

• iOS | Android (Free)
  
• This is not explicitly an app meant for caregivers, yet it remains a popular fixture in the caregiving community due to its ability to make finding, recording, and collating easy & delicious recipes for those who have little time for shopping and cooking. Includes a 30+ million user group of cooks to interact with and build upon.

BigOven App

• iOS | Android (Free)
  
• This app is a complete home cooking tool with over 350,000+ recipes, a menu planner, food inspirations based on friends, family, & people you follow, a recipe uploader, grocery list, and a nifty function that suggests meals based on your indicated leftovers in the fridge.

Kitchen Stories

• iOS | Android (Free)
  
• This app alloves its user to find easy-to-make recipes grouped in thematic packages (such as 20 minute dishes) that include step-by-step photo & video guides. It includes automatically generated shopping lists, measurement converters, and a recipes sorter.