Sharing the Load: The Free Filipino App Taking the Stress Out of Family Caregiving

After caring for her mother, Larisse Lava built Kalin, a free care companion app that keeps the whole family organized, informed, and on the same page, even from abroad

In many Filipino homes, no one asks who will take care of a parent or grandparent who gets sick. Someone in the family simply steps up. It’s one of the ways we show love. But for many, it’s also their first time doing it, and the work can quickly feel overwhelming: hospital visits, medicine schedules, bills, and the constant worry in between.

Larisse Lava knows this firsthand. She cared for her mother, who passed away after battling cancer. Drawing on that experience and the stories of other caregivers, she launched Kalin, a free app with tools and resources for family members and caregivers.

“Behind every feature is a real caregiving experience, a family navigating the challenges of caring for a loved one, and the need for more accessible support,” Larisse says.

Everyone in the Loop, Wherever They Are

For many families, caregiving falls on one person while siblings and relatives try to help from a distance, sometimes from another city or country. Kalin is designed to make that easier.

The app includes care logs, medication and health tracking, scheduling tools, and expense monitoring, all organized through what Larisse calls a “care console.” The idea is that everyone involved can see the same accurate, up-to-date information about their loved one’s condition.

“Kalin lets family members stay informed about a patient’s condition wherever they are in the world,” Larisse explains. “By giving everyone access to information updates, schedules, and care records, family members can stay involved when they are far from each other.”

For families with relatives working overseas, that kind of shared view can mean fewer missed updates and fewer “Ano na ang lagay ni Mama?” calls at odd hours.

“By improving communication and organization, Kalin reduces misunderstandings, duplicate effort, and unnecessary stress,” she adds. “Ultimately, Kalin lets families focus their energy and resources on giving quality care to their loved ones.”

Larisse is also clear about what the app can’t do. It won’t take away the financial costs of caregiving. But she hopes it can help families make more informed care and financial decisions.

Every Family’s Journey is Different

“Caregiving is never a one-size-fits-all journey. Every family faces a different set of challenges,” Larisse says. “For some families, the main concern is finances. Others struggle with family dynamics and the emotional stress that comes with making hard decisions. Others are simply trying to understand what type of care their loved one needs. For some, all these concerns happen at the same time.”

That’s why Larisse wants Kalin to work for families across different situations, not just those with more means. The team is still working to simplify the app and make sure its resources fit Filipino family caregivers, including those with limited resources.

“Care technology should not be designed only for families who can afford premium healthcare or have the luxury of time and resources,” she says. “It needs to work for the families who need it most.”

Who Takes Care of the Caregiver?

Caregiving can be deeply meaningful. It can also be physically, emotionally, and mentally draining.

“Many caregivers carry a lot of responsibilities and are expected to perform and deliver across all areas. They spend so much time caring for someone that they forget their own health and well-being,” Larisse says. “That is one problem we want to address by helping caregivers feel more organized, informed, and supported.”

She sees lightening the mental load as part of preventing burnout. But Kalin’s support goes beyond the app. Through Kalin Wellness, the team uses art, movement, music, and creative expression to help caregivers reconnect with themselves. These include its Make a Mess creative wellness sessions and pop-ups like Flair at The Fifth Rockwell, where Kalin joined other lifestyle and wellness brands.

The team is also reaching out to professional caregivers, such as nurses and other frontline healthcare workers, through events like the Jose Reyes Fun Run.

“Just as we care about the patient’s well-being, we must also protect the caregiver’s well-being,” Larisse says. “When caregivers feel supported, informed, and less overwhelmed, they can give quality care while still having a life of their own.”

Spreading by Word of Mouth

Kalin is still young, but it’s finding its way to families, often through other caregivers. Larisse says the team has been working with several medical professionals and that the response so far has been positive.

One moment stuck with her. At a recent event, a visitor came to the Kalin booth because a friend had told her to look for it. That friend had discovered Kalin at the Flair pop-up.

“Moments like these are incredibly encouraging,” Larisse says. “They tell us that people are not only discovering Kalin, but are also sharing it with others who they believe could benefit from it.”

“Some have shared, ‘Aww, I wish something like this existed when my parents were still around,'” she says. “Others have told us, ‘This is really helpful. Thank you for doing this.'”

What’s Next for Kalin

Looking ahead to the next five years, Larisse expects the local care industry to grow as the population ages and more families become aware of long-term care needs.

“Our vision is for Kalin to become a trusted caregiving companion for families across the Philippines and beyond,” she says. “Apart from technology, we want to be a platform that teaches, empowers, and prepares people for the caregiving journey long before a crisis happens.”

To the Caregivers: We See You

As the country joins others in marking Caregivers Month this November, Larisse has a message for everyone caring for someone they love, whether at home or in a hospital.

“Caregiving is not a burden. It is a privilege. It is one of the purest forms of love,” she says. “To every caregiver, whether you are a healthcare professional or a family member caring for a loved one, thank you.”

“So much of what you do happens quietly, often behind the scenes and without recognition,” she adds. “But as you care for others, we hope you remember to care for yourself, too. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. Taking time to rest is not selfish. You cannot pour from an empty cup.”

More about caregiving

Don’t Lose Yourself: Why Every Lovegiver Needs Boundaries and Support
For the Tired but Loving: A Caregiver’s Reality Check
To the Caregivers Holding It All Together: This Is for You