Caring for a loved one - whether it’s a parent with dementia, a partner recovering from illness, or a child with special needs - is one of the most meaningful things you can do. But it’s also one of the most demanding.
Between tracking medications, coordinating with other family members, managing appointments, and juggling work and personal life, caregiving can quickly become overwhelming.
That’s where caregiver apps come in.
These digital tools are designed to simplify, support, and streamline the caregiving journey. From shared calendars to symptom tracking to emotional check-ins, today’s best apps empower families to care better - together.
Here’s a look at some of the top caregiver apps for families, including their key features and who they’re best for.
1. Elli Cares
– Best for Seniors, Dementia Support & Independent Living
Elli Cares is designed specifically to support families caring for seniors, someone with dementia or cognitive impairment. What makes it unique is its focus on gentle, proactive support - helping loved ones maintain independence while giving caregivers real-time visibility.
Key Features:
- Video recorded reminders
- Safe Zones and GPS tracking for wandering prevention
- Safe Track alerts for unusual phone behavior
- Symptom, mood, hydration, and activity logs
- Care team visibility
- Resources and support tools
✅ Best for: Families caring for older adults living independently, or with early to mid-stage dementia, especially when caregiving is shared or remote.
👉 Learn more: www.elliapp.co
2. CaringBridge
– Best for Keeping Everyone Updated
CaringBridge is a private communication platform that allows families to share updates about a loved one’s health journey. It helps reduce repetitive messaging and keeps everyone in the loop - without the chaos of group texts.
Key Features:
- Create a private blog-style page for updates
- Send out journal entries to family and friends
- Offer or request support through a planner tool
✅ Best for: Families going through surgery, recovery, or long-term illness, where frequent health updates are helpful.
3. Medisafe
– Best for Medication Management
Medisafe is one of the most popular medication reminder apps on the market. It helps users stick to their medication routine - and alerts caregivers if a dose is missed.
Key Features:
- Visual pillbox with custom scheduling
- Reminders for doses, refills, and interactions
- Caregiver Connect feature to track medication adherence
✅ Best for: Anyone managing multiple medications or supporting a loved one with complex prescriptions.
4. Carely
– Best for Coordinating Care Across the Family
Carely is built to bring caregivers together. It acts as a centralised dashboard where family members can collaborate on care plans, share updates, and assign tasks.
Key Features:
- Shared calendar and activity feed
- Notes, photos, and appointment tracking
- Care team communication (family + professionals)
✅ Best for: Families with multiple caregivers or long-distance care dynamics.
5. Lotsa Helping Hands
– Best for Organising Community Support
If you’ve ever had friends and family ask, “What can I do to help?” - Lotsa Helping Hands helps you coordinate their goodwill into action. It’s a platform that allows others to sign up for meals, errands, transport, and more.
Key Features:
- Community calendar for task signups
- Message boards for updates and encouragement
- Resources for caregivers and volunteers
✅ Best for: Care situations that require community or volunteer support (e.g., post-surgery recovery, palliative care, new diagnoses).
👉 Start a community at Lotsa Helping Hands
Bonus Mention: Google Calendar + Shared Notes
– For DIY Planners
Not every caregiver needs a purpose-built app. Sometimes, pairing Google Calendar with a shared Google Keep or Apple Notes folder can work just as well for families that prefer simplicity.
✅ Best for: Tech-savvy families looking for flexibility without added subscriptions.
Why Apps Matter in the Caregiving Journey
Caregiving is not just a role - it’s a team effort. And like any team, coordination, communication, and care need to work together. Caregiver apps lighten the mental load by:
- Reducing forgetfulness and missed tasks
- Preventing duplicate efforts among family
- Enhancing connection, even across distance
- Giving peace of mind through notifications and alerts
- Supporting the wellbeing of both the caregiver and the person receiving care
Whether you're looking to track medications, check in from afar, or simply remember when Mum has her next GP visit, the right tool can transform how you care.
Here's some articles that might help you on your caregiving journey:
👉 How To Support Aging Parents Without Taking Over
👉 The Importance Of Support Groups For Caregivers
👉 How Caregivers Can Find Emotional Support
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