Your smartphone or tablet device has probably been your go-to source for scheduling day-to-day events, sending emails, and even storing family photos, but now mobile devices are becoming a platform for healthcare and wellness for families. In 2014, we’ve seen a multitude of new health-focused mobile apps and it’s a rapidly growing trend. In fact, a recent study by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation states that “Globally, 500 million consumers and healthcare providers will use a mobile health app within the next two years,” in addition, “by 2018, half of the 3.4 billion mobile device users worldwide will download a health app.” Mobile apps for health and wellness allow parents and families to have valuable and useful information at their fingertips for the time between doctors visits.
We wanted to highlight some of the latest apps that can benefit you as a parent and your children. These apps include everything from teaching your child potty training basics to managing your family’s medications. Let us know if there are any new apps out there we haven’t included on this list and send us your reviews as you download them and try them out.
UP Coffee is a new app released by Jawbone this month aimed at helping users understand their caffeine intake. As a parent it isn’t always easy to get enough sleep and many parents often resort to increased caffeine intake to make it through the day. UP Coffee lets you track and monitor your caffeine intake and then see how that caffeine is likely to affect your sleep.
Cavity Dragons
If you’re having trouble getting your kids excited about brushing their teeth or they aren’t brushing their teeth long enough, Cavity Dragons is a solution for you. The app was designed to get children excited about brushing their teeth and help them create a regular dental hygiene routine.
WellaPets – Asthma Education
Helping your child understand their asthma isn’t always easy, but a new app, Wellapets, is aimed at teaching your kids everything including the basics of using an inhaler in the form of an interactive game.
MediSafe Medication and Pill Reminder
It’s easy to lose track of time especially when you’re managing your schedule along with the rest of your family. If you or your children are taking any medications or vitamins, it’s important to always take them as directed by your doctor. MediSafe allows you to track your entire family’s medication list and reminds you when someone needs to take their medication. It’s an easy and convenient way to never miss a pill.
Sleepasaurus
Are bedtime rituals difficult for your family? A new app designed specifically for children who have trouble falling asleep and waking up on time called Sleepasaurus believe they’ve found a solution to this problem. Children get to choose a dinosaur as a sleeping buddy and work through a bedtime ritual with their new friend.
SideChef
Do you or your children have food allergies and you can never find recipes to make, or do you struggle with creating quick and easy dinner recipes with the kids running around? SideChef is a new and innovative app that provides you with step-by-step cooking instructions in a hands-free way to help you create meals that meet your family’s dietary needs. You can also create & share recipes with other parents, and share advice and suggestions regarding nutrition and recipes.
Potty Training
Potty training can be a difficult task for both parents and children. It can be difficult to incentivize children to use the bathroom and motivate them to stay away from diapers. The new
app helps children learn to use the bathroom with cute animals. The app teaches children to help animals use the potty, and then lets them mimic the same behavior.
AkibaH
Although not currently available,
is an app to keep your eyes on if you are a parent suffering from diabetes or you have a child with diabetes. AkibaH aims to be the glucometer of the future, allowing you to carry your glucometer with you where you go as it is integrated into your smartphone case. The app will help you monitor your glucose levels and make suggestions on how to manage your blood sugar levels.
Karisma Kids
Understanding stress and the signs and symptoms of anxiety can be a difficult topic for children to grasp and understand. A new app called Karisma Kids aims at helping children deal with feelings of stress and anxiety. The app is aimed at children ages 3-9 who can play games, listen to audio books all while learning about stress management.
Tooth Savers Brushing Game
Similar to the new app by Oral-B described above,
is a new interactive app that helps your kids brush for the recommended two minutes while simultaneously playing a game. The game helps teach healthy brushing habits by providing children with a game that increases in levels each time they brush effectively for consecutive days to encourage them to keep up healthy habits.
