Digital resource offers assistance and direction for individuals battling dementia online

Digital resource offers assistance and direction for individuals battling dementia online

New Web Platform, DementiaNet, Launches to Support Dementia Care

In a bid to improve care coordination and provide tailored resources for people living with dementia and their caregivers, a new web platform called DementiaNet has been launched this week.

DementiaNet was developed using extensive research and the lived experience of its co-founders, with a focus on simplicity and clarity. The platform offers a highly personalised and empowering approach to online support, aiming to be the go-to place for all dementia-related needs.

The number of people living with dementia in the UK is expected to rise to 1.4 million by 2040, and with 1 in 3 people estimated to care for someone with dementia at some point in their lives, the need for such a platform is evident.

In a survey conducted by DementiaNet in 2024, 88% of respondents expressed unhappiness or dissatisfaction with existing general dementia-related information. Fewer than one in three felt "fairly satisfied" with the help they found. DementiaNet aims to address this gap by offering a more tailored experience, providing relevant information to help users at the earliest point of their journey.

DementiaNet's key features include care coordination tools, personalised information and resources, community and support network access, monitoring and progress tracking, and a user-friendly interface. The care coordination tools facilitate communication among healthcare providers, caregivers, and patients, helping manage appointments, medications, and care plans in one place.

The personalised information and resources offer access to educational materials tailored to the stage of dementia and individual needs, providing guidance on managing symptoms and behavioural changes. The community and support network access connects users with local support groups, services, and social activities, enabling them to share experiences among caregivers via forums or chat.

The monitoring and progress tracking tools allow tracking of cognitive changes, mood, and physical health indicators, facilitating early detection of issues for timely intervention. The user-friendly interface is designed for ease of use by older adults and caregivers with varying tech skills, accessible on multiple devices.

DementiaNet also includes an online forum to combat emotional and social isolation experienced by many people, a secure digital vault, downloadable planning tools, and a step-by-step dashboard to help manage tasks like care planning. The platform is available free of charge with optional paid features for the secure planner and document store.

Two of the co-founders of DementiaNet have personal experience with the dementia journey, and they emphasise the overwhelming amount of generic information available online. Brian Schur, one of the co-founders, expressed difficulty in finding information when his mother-in-law was diagnosed in 2022. Hugh McGouran, another co-founder and chair of a dementia charity, shares this sentiment, stating that DementiaNet aims to fill this gap.

Dementia support groups can use the search tool to add their event or gathering to DementiaNet, making it easier for users to find relevant activities in their local area. The built-in search tool connects users with these activities, further enhancing the platform's accessibility and usability.

With the launch of DementiaNet, there is hope for improved quality of life for people living with dementia through timely and coordinated care, reduced caregiver burden, enhanced communication among multidisciplinary care teams, early identification of changes in condition, and empowerment and engagement of patients and caregivers in care decisions.

1. The new web platform DementiaNet, launched to support dementia care, is powered by science and personal experiences.
2. This platform focuses on cutting-edge technology and artificial intelligence in its approach to dementia care coordination.
3. DementiaNet aims to revolutionize digital health, providing a comprehensive solution for managing chronic diseases like dementia.
4. With a growing emphasis on workplace-wellness, DementiaNet offers resources to employers seeking to support employees and their families dealing with dementia.
5. The platform acknowledges the importance of addressing medical-conditions and emphasizes the need for information on respiratory conditions, digestive-health, eye-health, hearing, and more.
6. DementiaNet also caters to matters of mental-health, mens-health, sexual-health, and skin-care, recognizing the interconnectedness of various aspects of health and wellness.
7. To address autoimmune-disorders, therapies-and-treatments, and nutrition, DementiaNet offers educational resources and personalized advice to users.
8. As part of the platform's efforts to cater to the needs of an aging population, DementiaNet offers resources on aging, women's health, parenting, and cardiovascular-health.
9. The platform's lifestyle section provides tips on fitness-and-exercise, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, fashion-and-beauty, and personal-growth.
10. In recognizing the impact of stress on overall health, DementiaNet's offerings extend to stress management techniques to promote wellness.
11. Life-long learning is integrated into DementiaNet, offering education-and-self-development programs for users seeking to enhance their knowledge on various topics.
12. The platform's big-wins section celebrates users' achievements and milestones in their health and wellness journey.
13. Shopping facilities within the platform allow users to purchase aids, equipment, and accessories related to their specific health needs.
14. With a commitment to career-development, DementiaNet provides resources for healthcare professionals seeking to further their skills and knowledge in dementia care.
15. Recognizing the interconnectedness of various aspects of life, the platform also offers resources on relationship-building and supportive resources for pet owners.
16. DementiaNet offers travel and accommodation options tailored to the needs of users with dementia and their caregivers.
17. In addition, there are resources on car maintenance and driving safety to ensure users with dementia can remain mobile and independent.
18. The platform's casino-and-gambling section offers games and resources to users seeking entertainment and relaxation.
19. To promote responsible gambling and ensure users' safety, DementiaNet provides information on responsible-gambling practices.
20. A sports section within the platform offers resources on various sports, fitness, and wellness activities for users to participate in to maintain physical fitness.
21. The platform provides resources on sports nutrition, helping athletes and fitness enthusiasts make informed decisions about their diets.
22. Recognizing the importance of cybersecurity in today's digital age, DementiaNet offers resources on securing personal devices and data.
23. To support caregivers in managing their loved ones' symptoms, DementiaNet provides information on CBD and its potential therapeutic benefits for neuroprotection and inflammation.
24. The platform also offers support to those living with neurological-disorders, providing resources and information on managing conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
25. DementiaNet recognizes the impact of skin-conditions on various aspects of life, offering resources on skin-care, skincare products, and skin-health treatments.
26. With a commitment to addressing the unique needs of all users, DementiaNet offers resources on various issues such as data-and-cloud-computing, technology, and gadgets.
27. In addition to serving as a resource for users globally, DementiaNet also aims to share knowledge and connect caregivers and patients across the world, fostering a global community that supports one another in their health and wellness journey.

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