5 Tech Tools to Add to Your Caregiving Regimen
There’s no question that technology has made a significant difference in how we work, play, and live. It also provides many benefits for caregivers and their children or family members living with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Technological tools and resources can offer reliable safety measures for care recipients, save time when making appointments or managing medication, and deliver healthy food, medical supplies, and household devices to their doors. At Direct Care Innovations, our goal is to provide an integrated business management platform that frees caregivers to focus on the individuals they support. The valuable and user-friendly tech tools listed below can do the same. Keep reading to learn how.
1. Medication Management
If an individual needs help keeping prescriptions organized, tracking treatment schedules, or remembering to administer medications, a medication management system may be the solution they need. Various medication dispensers and management systems, such as Hero and MedMinder, can track complex prescription regimens. From smartphone notifications to automatic pill dispensing, they handle all aspects of prescription medication management, saving time and taking one more task off someone’s to-do list.
2. Meal Planning & Prep
Planning, shopping, and preparing healthy food, snacks, and meals is another important and time-consuming task for caregivers. Thankfully, technology has made meal planning easier than ever. With online grocery shopping, meal delivery services like HelloFresh or Factor, or restaurant delivery apps like GrubHub or DoorDash, individuals can access various healthy snacks and meals. If someone has specific dietary requirements or follows a particular nutrition regimen, nutrient-rich groceries or ready-made meals can be at their door in no time at all.
3. Safety Solutions
Perhaps someone living with I/DD doesn’t require 24-hour care, yet they still want to keep track of their condition when their caregiver is not with them. Wearable devices, including Life Alert or smartwatches, are reliable and effective solutions. Each wearable device has its features, but you can typically find devices that monitor heart rates, track locations, and alert emergency services during a critical event. These safety solutions can give people living with a disability more independence, helping them feel safe when they’re home alone.
4. Productivity Apps
Caring for someone with a disability requires juggling caregiving tasks and remembering pertinent information regarding their care. The never-ending to-dos of caring for another can be challenging to track and manage. Caregivers can take advantage of a simple technology service they most likely already have in their home or phone — virtual assistants. Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant, and several other virtual assistants can be used to set reminders, add items to shopping lists, and manage busy schedules. Tasks can be added to these apps or simply spoken to a smart speaker. For example, if someone needs to schedule an appointment but doesn’t have time to do it at that moment, they can say, “Alexa, remind me on Tuesday at 3:00 pm to reschedule my husband’s next doctor’s appointment.”
5. DCI Platform
Direct Care Innovations is dedicated to empowering caregivers and enhancing the quality of care for individuals with I/DD. Through our robust platform, we provide comprehensive healthcare business management services tailored to the unique needs of caregiving agencies. Our platform offers a range of modules designed to streamline operations, from electronic visit verification to payroll and billing, and scheduling and shift trading, allowing caregivers to efficiently manage their day-to-day tasks and focus more on delivering exceptional care to those they serve.
Health Care Technology & Business Management Software
By leveraging these technological resources, providing care for an individual with I/DD can be accomplished with less stress and in a shorter amount of time. Join us in revolutionizing the caregiving industry and experience the difference DCI can make in your organization’s efficiency and effectiveness. Contact us at (480) 295-3307 to learn more or request a sales demo today.
Source: Miller, Elizabeth B. “How Technology Can Be a Part of Your Caregiving Team.” Blog article. Hero Health Inc. Web. 29 Mar. 2024