CaringBridge was first developed as a web-based application, but can also be used from mobile device on both the Android and Apple smartphones and tablets. The purpose of CaringBridge is to connect people with the support of family and friends, and it is a self-described “caring social network.” We like how you can draft updates without publishing within the website, although it is not the most intuitive. We did not have this same ability of saving rather than posting, while creating updates within the app. There have been updates to simplify the interface while posting on the app and the website. Now, users can integrate their GoFundMe and MealTrain where people can easily donate with the click of a button on either the app or the website.

CaringBridge transforms your personal connections into instant support that can also be shared and expanded to assist someone going through a difficult life change, such as an emergency hospital visit, an unexpected injury or diagnosis of disease, premature birth or lengthy rehabilitation. Simply imagine any scenario where a family member or friend is in need of support, and the tools available through CaringBridge can assist with words of encouragement, photos, and even videos.

Being a caregiver by choice or by necessity is a demanding job, and though friends and family want to help, a caregiver can be overwhelmed and inundated by phone calls and email requests for frequent updates. CaringBridge allows a caregiver or even the person in need to post updates that go out simultaneously. Simply create a free CaringBridge account either via the web or on the mobile app, upload a photo (if desired) and begin posting updates.

Concerns about privacy regarding a traumatic health event are real, and while a user may want to invite as many people as possible to share in giving support, some may want to limit that support to a specific group of people. We found that both options were possible. The person who starts the CaringBridge website for another person (or oneself) has complete control and can even block specific visitors from accessing the site. CaringBridge has 3 privacy settings that can be set and changed at any time. “Low” allows anyone to visit the person’s site without logging in. “Medium” requires all visitors to sign up and log in. “High” is structured such that visitors can only view the site by invitation only. All of these options can be researched and chosen within the settings/privacy.

We trialed CaringBridge in two different capacities: 1) as an “author” (creator) of a CaringBridge site for someone recovering from a hospitalization and going through lengthy rehabilitation 2) as a “visitor,” someone invited to provide support for a two children being treated for cancer as well as two adults being treated in lengthy hospital stays for diseases.

As the daughter of an elderly man with dementia going through rehabilitation for a broken hip, this reviewer found that it was simple to set up a free account, but it was easier to do on the web version, as the mobile app on an iPhone kept crashing. We set up an account, uploaded a photo, wrote a short overview and posted the first update in about 10 minutes. Once the account was set up, we set the privacy level to “Medium,” copied the url of the site and shared it via email with friends and out of town family. Those who were already CaringBridge users simply typed in the first and last name of the man into the CaringBridge database to find his web page.

Overall, posting regular updates was quick and easy and all done from the mobile app. Occasionally there were strange text glitches that appeared, but other than that posting an update and uploading was seamless and reading updates was available in both portrait and landscape mode. Some downsides to using the app were that we were not able to enlarge the text, making it difficult for those with vision problems and the accessibility feature of “speak screen” only worked in the journal entries, but not in the comment sections.

The elderly man who was receiving the support (for whom the page was created) owned an iPad and very much wanted to respond to messages from friends and family. Because of his cognitive deficits, he found it challenging to respond to typed messages, but he was able to simply “favorite” a message from someone with a single touch on the heart icon.

Caregivers will definitely benefit as well as those going through lengthy medical treatment, hospital stays, rehab for unexpected injuries or those struggling with illness.