by Anais Durand

At bespoken, we know that looking after your loved ones can be tough, but you’re not on your own. This week, we present you with Jointly, an app designed for carers.

A rapidly ageing population coupled with rising life expectancies for those with illness or disability mean care is a huge and growing issue for society. Across the UK there are 6.5 million carers – half juggling care with work, a third caring for older relatives alongside raising children. In January 2014, Carers UK made an innovative move into the app market with the launch of Jointly – a tool to help families manage care for loved ones.

Technology can now be used to ease the challenges of distance or shared caring. Carers UK’s position as the leading research and development company in caring technologies has allowed them to come up with Jointly, a pioneering app that is designed especially for carers. The Jointly app allows carers to be more organized by addressing some of the most stressful aspects of caring. The app is divided in different sections such as tasks, medications and calendar. It offers a practical and easy-to-grasp way to share information and co-ordinate tasks among various circles.

The app provides the user with a range of features designed to alleviate the pressures on carers, such as:

• Private and secure group messaging that keeps people informed and better connected
• Profile and contacts page, with easily accessible vital information such as medication lists
• Shared calendar and task lists to coordinate responsibilities, organise what needs to get done and store important information.

The Jointly app is accessible from anywhere, whether you use your phone, tablet or desktop/laptop computer. Jointly is available to download as a mobile app from Apple and at Google Play stores for a one-off payment of £2.99. A PC/Laptop version is also available from jointlyapp.com. Once you have purchased Jointly you can invite as many people as you want to share the care with you. There is no additional cost for the people you invite to join you.

What about you, do you think Jointly has the potential to improve communication between carers and those being cared for? Let us know your thoughts below!