Blog about your parents’ dementia
A new online blog, where children with a parent diagnosed with younger onset dementia, can network with others who are in a similar situation, will be a portal where these “silent sufferers” can be heard.
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A new online blog, where children with a parent diagnosed with younger onset dementia, can network with others who are in a similar situation, will be a portal where these “silent sufferers” can be heard.
Created by Alzheimer’s Australia NSW, the Younger Onset Dementia and ME blog– which is a type of website usually maintained with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video, is a place for young people to connect with others, and seek information and obtain helpful suggestions.
Senior counsellor at Alzheimer’s Australia NSW, Helen Carswell, told DPS News they were seeking ‘bloggers’ over the age of 18 years to contribute to the website, and share their experiences and thoughts about their loved one’s younger onset dementia.
“We did identify that there wasn’t much support around for younger people who are experiencing the pain and hardship of having a loved one with younger onset dementia,” Ms Carswell said.
Targeted at people aged 18 to 30 years old, the blog has been active for about three months.
“The blog is a way to get the information to younger people in a different way so that it appeals to the younger person,” Ms Carswell said.
“The idea was that it would provide them with support and something they can go to for accurate information, and to form a bit of a network as younger onset dementia is a lot less common than other forms of dementia.
“It is really important for them to know that there is somewhere and something for them to go to.”
Bloggers need to sign a disclaimer before they begin to share their experiences.
If you would like to contribute your thoughts to this blog, you must be over the age of 18 years, have a parent with younger onset dementia and agree to the terms and conditions.
For more information about the Younger Onset Dementia and ME blog, email Ms Carswell on hcarswell@alznsw.asn.au. Alternatively, if you would like to talk to someone about Younger Onset Dementia, contact the NSW National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500.
