Home Care Apps for Family
Six trusted apps and services that help adult children coordinate care for an aging parent — without burning out the family group text.
Lotsa Helping Hands
A shared calendar for family and friends helping a parent. Sign up for meals, rides to the doctor, lawn care, sitting-with-Mom shifts. Removes the awkward "who is doing what" group texts.
How to start: lotsahelpinghands.com → "Start a Community" → invite siblings, neighbors, the church group. Anyone with the link can claim a task.
Visit websiteCaringBridge
A private health-update site for one parent. Post one update — diagnosis, surgery results, hospital discharge — and the whole extended family sees it. Cuts repeat phone calls in half.
How to start: caringbridge.org → "Start a CaringBridge Site" → fill in the parent's first name and the situation. Share the link with family by text or email.
Visit websiteCarely
A private family group chat built for caregiving — medication notes, doctor visit summaries, photos, mood check-ins. Keeps caregiving conversations out of the regular family thread.
How to start: App Store / Play Store → "Carely" → start a free trial → invite siblings and the parent. One person handles billing.
Visit websiteCircleOf
A free caregiving app that combines a shared task list, group chat, and a library of how-to articles for adult children new to caregiving. Built by AARP-backed partners.
How to start: App Store / Play Store → "CircleOf" → create a circle for your parent → invite family by phone number.
Visit websiteHeartwise (blood pressure tracking)
A simple blood pressure and pulse log your parent fills in, then exports to a PDF for the doctor. You can be added as a viewer so you see readings from across the country.
How to start: App Store → "Heartwise" → enter morning and evening readings → tap "Share" to email the report to you or the doctor.
Visit websiteEldercare Locator
The federal directory of every aging service in your parent's county — meals on wheels, transport, adult day programs, in-home aides, legal help. Run by the US Administration for Community Living.
How to start: eldercare.acl.gov → enter the parent's zip code → see local programs. Or call 1-800-677-1116, weekdays 9am-8pm Eastern.
Visit websiteA note on which to pick first
If a parent had a fall or new diagnosis this week, start with CaringBridge to update everyone at once, then add Lotsa Helping Hands so neighbors and church friends can sign up to bring meals. CircleOf is the next step once siblings want a daily caregiving chat. Eldercare Locator is the call to make if you need professional help — meals, rides, an aide.
Eldercare Locator