Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia which leads to problems with memory, thinking and behavior. It is a progressive illness brought on by a loss of brain cell function and cell death.
Living with Alzheimer’s disease or any other kind of dementia can be an isolating experience, even for those who have the support of their family, friends, and well-wishers to tide over the bad spells. They may feel less alone by reaching out or connecting with those who are fighting the same battle as them.
Caring for a loved one who is cognitively challenged is a huge undertaking that presents its own set of unpredictable challenges. Unlike nurses who are professionally trained in handling such cases, family members have to learn from their own experience and that of other caretakers.
This underlines the importance of forging connections based on shared trauma and experience, and one of the most convenient ways to do so is through virtual platforms such as online blogs.
Sometimes, reading about someone else’s perspective can make you rethink or expand your own. It is a conversation that can sometimes be an empowering pep talk, an enlightening therapy, or a source of instructive information.
Criteria for Selection
People from all over the world record and share their personal Alzheimer’s journey through blogs that can be accessed by just about anyone. It is a medium for communicating their own struggle and the lessons learned from it to others who can benefit from this knowledge.
This article has compiled 15 of the most popular Alzheimer’s-related blogs that can help educate and inspire you to cope with this condition better. There are countless such blogs on the Internet, but the ones that made the cut fared well on the following criteria:
- Frequency of posts
- Relevance of the information
- Number of followers
- Internet mentions or popularity
- Duration that it has been active
- Includes articles about personal experience
- Provides useful tips for patients and caregivers
- Provides new research and discoveries in the field of Alzheimer’s
Top Blogs About Alzheimer’s and Dementia
1. Alzheimer’s & Dementia Weekly
Started in 2013 by Peter Berger, Alzheimer’s & Dementia Weekly is a valuable source of information about the diseases Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Inspired by the editor’s experience of seeing his mother suffer through autoimmune dementia, the blog is dedicated to the caregivers of people living with dementia who work hard to preserve the patient’s dignity.
The website presents important, accurate, and reliable information regarding these brain diseases. Since new material is being shared on the internet every 7 minutes, this online resource sorts through the new posts and presents useful articles and videos weekly.
The blog exhibits a wide variety of information, including caregiver tips, recent and relevant research, diagnosis, and medications.
2. Alzheimer’s Association
The Alzheimer’s Association is a top-notch voluntary health organization that deals with Alzheimer’s care, research, and support.
Founded in 1980 by Jerome H. Stone, the association aims at eliminating the disease with the help of progressing research, providing support and care for all patients, and reducing the chances of dementia through the promotion of brain health.
The blog stages recent researches and inspirational stories. These personal accounts give first-hand insight into the life of people living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers.
The blog also talks about the early signs of Alzheimer’s and its progression, diagnosis, and treatment. It is also a platform that enables readers to participate in events or clinical trials, volunteer as advocates, educators, or support group facilitators; and even donate to the cause.
3. Alzheimer’s Association of Northern California and Northern Nevada
The Northern California and Northern Nevada chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association aims at spreading awareness about Alzheimer’s and enhancing the support and care for patients. It funds researches for eliminating Alzheimer’s.
The blog contains inspirational real-life stories by patients and caregivers, showing how people have overcome distance and cultural differences to take care of those in need. It covers a large number of daily life topics under the blankets of caregiving, research, and education.
The website also hosts a wide range of tips for caregivers for taking care of the patient at home or even from a distant place. The association also organizes fundraisers from time to time and shares heartwarming stories of the same.
4. Alzheimer’s Daughter
Alzheimer’s Daughter is a memoir of loss that tracks the life of Jean Lee and her parents as they developed Alzheimer’s.
Started in 2012, the blog holds excerpts of this book published as a tribute to her parents. It also contains conversations with different authors of other Alzheimer’s books.
These articles share the stories of these writers to influence and inspire those with Alzheimer’s or their caregivers.
5. Alzheimer’s Matters Blog
Alzheimer’s Matters Blog is the blog of Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, which is the sole charity that works toward a singular aim of finding drugs for curing Alzheimer’s.
The blog posts recent developments and research in fighting Alzheimer’s. It talks about the different types of dementia, ongoing clinical trials, and potential cures. It also shares personal experiences of caregivers for those with Alzheimer’s.
In the site, readers can find extensive information about Alzheimer’s and dementia, including recent researches, drug development, and the impact of diseases.
6. Cognitive Vitality
A program by the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, Cognitive Vitality, discusses the association of cognitive well-being with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and mental health.
The blog provides information on various activities such as yoga and healthy eating that contribute to a healthy mind. It also talks about useful therapies and the best supplements for brain health.
7. Dealing with Dementia
Kay Bransford, the author of Dealing with Dementia, started her blog in 2012 when her parents were in the early stages of dementia. She employs humor to tell her story as a caregiver as her parents progressed through different stages of the disease.
She shares her personal experiences and gives tips on solving practical issues that a caregiver may face. The blog is a handy resource of tips and tricks and the best practices for taking care of those with dementia.
Talking about the ups and downs and various aspects of caregiving, the blog content is relatable for many caregivers, making them feel supported.
8. Early Onset Alzheimer’s Blog
Started in 2008, Early Onset Alzheimer’s blog by Linda Fisher plays a supportive role for primary caregivers of people with early-onset Alzheimer’s. This journal spells out advice and compassion for them by providing insight into the author’s role as a primary caregiver for her husband.
Her experiences motivated her to create this blog as a support for Alzheimer’s patients and caregivers. She shares wisdom, practical advice, and heartfelt stories for primary caregivers.
9. Home Care Assistance – Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement
Home Care Assistance is a company that provides personalized care services such as hourly home care, Alzheimer’s care, and specialized care for the elderly. The blog, run by the company aims at inspiring positive aging.
With articles listed under different categories including, brain health, dementia care, long-distance caregiving, nutrition, research, etc., the blog is an excellent source of strategies for caregiving.
10. Seasons Alzheimer’s Care and Assisted Living
Started by Mona Talukdar, Seasons Alzheimer’s Care and Assisted Living is a facility with nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and hospice care and provides high-quality memory care for the elderly.
The blog, run by the company, gives information about aging, benefits of assisted living, and different services offered.
The articles guide caregivers in choosing the best facility for their loved ones and in transitioning them into assisted living.
11. The Caregiver’s Voice
Brenda Avadian, a full-time caregiver since 1996, and a proficient speaker and writer started The Caregiver’s Voice as a platform where caregivers could share their concerns and help out each other.
Started in 1998, the blog now offers tips on caregiving, shares people’s experience through humor, and briefs the reader on the various symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
Brenda is an advocate for the continuum of care and aims to encourage families to utilize all available resources for supporting their family members who have Alzheimer’s.
She plans to normalize adult day services, geriatric assessment, assisted living, elder law services, skilled nursing, support groups, and clinical studies to enable both the patient and caregiver to lead a more comfortable life.
12. The Diary of an Alzheimer’s Caregiver*
*Updated on [14/11/2022] – URL removed as it’s not working anymore
Rena McDaniel started The Diary of an Alzheimer’s Caregiver in 2014, to share her experience as a caregiver to a patient with Alzheimer’s. Her blog entries are aimed at providing support to caregivers and making them believe that others share their experiences and feelings.
She enlists various resources and tips for caregiving. The posts are directed toward spreading awareness about Alzheimer’s and caregiving. They contain her personal stories, as well as stories from other bloggers.
The blog also has a section where she talks about various products and books available for caregivers and reviews them.
13. The Memories Project
The Memories Project is a tribute to Joy Johnston’s father, who died at 79 due to the complications of Alzheimer’s. The blog started as a memoir of his father, collecting and preserving all his memories and stories.
Johnston shared these accounts with the hope to inspire others to document their family history.
Eventually, the blog became a medium for Alzheimer’s awareness and providing support to family caregivers.
14. UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Blog
The blog UsAgainstAlzheimer’s is full of research, medical updates, and networks for Alzheimer’s. It also enables the readers to volunteer and be a part of the search for a cure.
It serves as a platform where visitors can share their personal experiences, contact lawmakers, sign petitions, and learn about a multitude of aspects related to the diseases, including early signs, brain health, researches, and clinical trials.
15. Truthful Loving Kindness
Belinda, diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, started the blog Truthful Loving Kindness in 2014.
Through poems, articles, and different artworks, she discusses various aspects of mental health and shares her experience of living with the disease.
The blog also shares the symptoms of dementia and links to posts by other authors that are highly relevant to the condition and provide a fresh perspective in dealing with it.
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