By Rosanne Rogé, CSA, RFG, CFP®
Managing Director
A lot can change in two years, especially in terms of technological advances. Although many of the caregiving resources we compiled back in August 2015 are still viable today, there are some new players to the caregiving game. We have put together an updated list, complete with links to each resources1 Web site, a quick description of the site or product, and an in-depth review.
Aging In Place
AT A GLANCE: This site will keep you up to date on new technology products and changes for caregivers and the aging population.
IN DEPTH: A web site full of market research that provides thought leadership, analysis and guidance about technologies and services that enable boomers and seniors to remain longer in their home of choice.
Lotsa Helping Hands
AT A GLANCE: A painless way to organize help, as well as virtually store important information for your loved one.
IN DEPTH: An online community that brings together caregivers and volunteers to help restore health and balance to caregivers’ lives. Caregivers benefit from the gifts of much needed help, emotional support, and peace of mind, while volunteers find meaning in giving back to those in need.
CaringBridge
AT A GLANCE: Create a free, personal Web site to quickly share updates about your own or someone else’s health journey.
IN DEPTH: CaringBridge allows you to share news and updates about you, or your loved ones health, to friends and family without the burden of various phone calls, e-mails and text messages. You can communicate in a private, ad-free place, and receive emotional support and strength from your personal online community.
GreatCall
AT A GLANCE: GreatCall offers health and safety solutions for older adults and their family caregivers by providing easy-to-use mobile products. Their goal is to help aging consumers live more independent lives.
IN DEPTH: With an array of cell phones, as well as wearable buttons, they offer five-star urgent response agents, doctors and nurses, at you or your loved ones fingertips. Their services include wellness calls, medication reminders, brain games, fall detection, daily health tips and fitness trackers – to name a few.
SentinelCare
AT A GLANCE: A family of services supporting wellness and aging in place.
IN DEPTH: SentinelCare is a new approach to supporting loved ones aging in place. Sensors are professionally installed in a family members home, to ensure safety, security, and peace of mind for caregivers. Alerts are automatically sent to caregivers when assistance is needed, instead of relying on users to push a button for help.
HomeHero – California Based
AT A GLANCE: A licensed, non-medical home care provider that uses smart technology and human compassion to extend the health system into the home.
IN DEPTH: Simply visit their Web site and describe your needs, choose your certified professional, and work closely with care managers to receive health updates and daily insights about your loved one. Their goal is to make home care more accessible, transparent and affordable for everyone.
Hometeam – New York Based
AT A GLANCE: Offers in-home help by providing medical assistance, personal care, companionship and improving quality of life.
IN DEPTH: Eldercare experts and a support team are available to answer questions and provide anything your family needs. Hometeam’s iPad app tracks and monitors your loved ones home, and all caregivers receive the best training, support and management to ensure care goes beyond the basics.
Honor – California and Texas Based
AT A GLANCE: Honor connects caregivers to assist loved ones aging in place. Using Honor’s app, you can schedule care visits, pay by the hour, and receive updates on the visit and what was accomplished.
IN DEPTH: Honor care professionals can help with medication reminders, meal prep and grocery shopping, transportation, light housekeeping, check-in visits, companionship – and more. The Honor Family App allows family members to meet their selected care professional, see when they arrive, what they help with, and when they leave.
CareLinx
AT A GLANCE: An efficient and cost effective solution that enables families to easily find and manage home care for loved ones online.
IN DEPTH: CareLinx is a nationwide professional caregiver marketplace, empowering families to easily find, hire, manage and pay licensed caregivers online. The platform has more than 150,000 caregivers across the country. Their smartphone app allows families to receive updates on daily activities and care.
Care.com
AT A GLANCE: A one-stop-shop for families to meet all their care needs.
IN DEPTH: Whether your care needs are for seniors, children, pets or even just your home, Care.com has a mission to improve the lives of families and caregivers by helping them connect in a reliable and easy way. Simply visit their Web site, sign up, create a job, review profiles of prospective caregivers, and select the caregiver you wish to work with.
These are just a handful of the digitally-charged assistance available to caregivers today. With offers of encouragement, support, and specific products or services, these sites can help provide peace of mind to both caregivers and their loved ones.
1 The resources listed in this article were found in the November-December 2016 issue of Aging Today.
