Medical advancements have extended our lives but those extended lives means a much greater number of medically frail individuals being sent home from the hospital. The result is that between 2010 and 2013, the number of caregivers grew by 10 percent according to new research that looked at over 3,000 adults nationwide.
While caregiving affects those 30 to 64 in greater numbers, for the most part, it involves nearly every demographic, from every education level, every age group and every household income level. To cope with their duties, caregivers have become heavy (the researchers called them voracious) technology users, much more likely than their non-caregiving peers to turn to technology and online resources for help. But researchers also say that the technology industry isn’t doing enough to provide the necessary information these types of users need to stay on top of the newest research or medical procedures and that there is still a long way to go in providing them with access to doctors, providing a means to track symptoms and a method to manage medications.
How are you staying on top of your caregiving? Are you using online support groups, online resources such as eCareDiary, or medication reminder apps?
