Apps for Caregivers Get a Dose of AI, but That Might Not Be Enough

Caregiver apps are trying to reduce the burden on families who support seniors, children or anyone with a condition needing regular management, and some now add AI features. Experts say the tools can help with coordination and questions, but they raise privacy concerns and still require caregivers to keep them updated.

A growing field of caregiver tools

According to AARP, an estimated 63 million Americans cared for adults or children with a medical condition or disability in 2025, spending up to 27 hours a week on care on average. Medisafe, created in 2013, tracks medications and reminders, can notify a caregiver about a missed dose, tracks appointments and symptoms, and checks drug interactions. Caring Village, founded in 2015, offers calendars, task lists, a wellness journal, care plans and an AI assistant called Julia. Mejo, created in 2022 by Bret Koncak, turns medical history into a one page summary that can be shared; its premium version costs $6 a month or $60 a year and adds shared journaling. Briggzy, created by Brett Rowell for his son with cerebral palsy, is in testing and may launch in 2027. Citizen Health, launched in 2024 by Nasha Fitter and Farid Vij, stores medical records in a secure portal and, with consent, uses them to help patients understand disease trajectory.

AI enters caregiver support

Mejo's team is looking into AI to help users prepare questions for medical appointments. Citizen Health launched Ari six months ago, a beta AI health teammate that lets caregivers and patients track care and symptoms by text. Ari can access medical records, patient portals and Google Calendar events, notices patterns such as medication timing and symptoms, prepares appointment summaries and questions, and can help navigate insurance and benefits. It is currently limited to rare diseases. I. Glenn Cohen of Harvard Law School is optimistic about AI in health and says it can help patients prepare questions before doctor visits.

Privacy and oversight questions

Cohen says users should understand the risks, especially with free or cheap products. Most of these tools are not medical devices, so the FDA has not reviewed them. Health information entered into AI tools is not protected by federal HIPAA rules because it does not come from a covered entity. Privacy protections may rest on contractual promises, and collected information may include details about parents or other caregivers.

Keeping apps updated remains a burden

The author says keeping her son's information in one place could help track patterns and hand off care, but regular updates are key. Denise M. Brown of the Caregiving Years Training Academy says apps can be tedious to maintain and updates often fall on caregivers. Nicole Howell of the National Council on Aging says apps may ease stress, but the broader caregiver crisis needs action from government, private groups and families.

Sources: Wired