Bridging Research and Reality: How Digital Health Can Truly Support Family Carers
A recent study, “Exploring caregiver challenges, digital health technologies, and healthcare support” (Zainal et al., 2024), highlights something many carers already know: using digital tools in caregiving isn’t always simple.
The research found seven key barriers for carers using digital health technologies — from lack of training and poor app usability, to cost concerns, cultural barriers, and the limits of teleconsultations for complex needs.
But it also offered a hopeful roadmap:
* Training that meets carers where they are
* Inclusive design that values simplicity and empathy
* Equitable access so age, culture, and cost aren’t barriers
At the Carer Wellbeing Academy, we’ve taken these lessons to heart while developing our new suite of iOS wellbeing apps for carers:
Beacan – an adaptive wellbeing tracker offering AI-guided reflections and daily emotional support.
Anchare – a grounding companion that provides calm prompts and micro-breaks for when caring feels overwhelming with upcoming tasks.
CareLogger – a private space to record notes, appointments, and wellbeing reflections.
Unlonely – a gentle bridge back to connection through small, real-world social actions.
This research reinforces why our design principles focus on accessibility, emotional clarity, and confidence-building for carers — not just information overload.
As Zainal et al. write, empowering carers through training, inclusive design, and equitable access is key to system sustainability and personal resilience.
That’s exactly the space we’re building toward — digital tools that care as much as the people who use them.
Beacon
https://apps.apple.com/au/app/beacan/id6751804758
Anchare
https://apps.apple.com/au/app/anchare/id6752922329
CareLogger
https://apps.apple.com/au/app/carelogger/id6752929706
Unlonely
https://apps.apple.com/au/app/unlonely/id6752805747
#DigitalHealth #CarerWellbeing #Research #HealthInnovation #carer hashtag#carergiver hashtag#AI hashtag#CaregiverSupport hashtag#InclusiveDesign hashtag#WellbeingApps hashtag#CarerWellbeingAcademy