About AlzAuthors
Navigating Dementia with AlzAuthors
AlzAuthors was created for caregivers by caregivers who understand. We offer hundreds of trusted Alzheimers and dementia resources to empower and support you on your caregiving journey. You are not alone!
Managed by six daughters who have each experienced the loss of a loved one to dementia, AlzAuthors strives to make a difference to your dementia journey.
Numbering more than 350 authors who chose to share their own personal stories by writing books, blogging, starting podcasts, or creating films, we provide carefully vetted information to help others survive and thrive throughout their caregiving years.
We know the pain of being forgotten.
We have all witnessed decline.
We’ve provided countless hours of caregiving.
We know many others have done the same.
We believe in the power of sharing our stories.
How It All Began
In June, 2015, authors Marianne Sciucco, Jean Lee, and Vicki Tapia became friends on social media after reading each other’s books. Recognizing the power of collaboration, the trio began promoting their books together and writing blog posts about Alzheimer’s, dementia, and caregiving for different caregiver websites. They believed three voices could increase impact.
In June, 2016, they decided to create a blog to gather resources in one place for caregivers and those living with memory impairment to find solid support. They invited authors to write short posts about the “story behind their story,” and these writings birthed AlzAuthors.com. Within that first year, over 60 authors became “AlzAuthors.”
Our Mission
We are a community of authors sharing Alzheimer’s and dementia stories to light the way for others.
Our Vision
We aspire to lift the silence and stigma that often accompanies Alzheimer’s and dementia, the most important illnesses of our generation, affecting an estimated 55 million people worldwide.
From Alzheimer’s Disease International:
- The number of people affected is set to rise to 139 million by 2050, with the greatest increases in low and middle income countries
- Already 60% of people with dementia live in low and middle income countries, but by 2050 this will rise to 71%
- A new case of dementia arises somewhere in the world every 3 seconds
- Up to three quarters of those with dementia worldwide have not received a diagnosis
- Almost 80% of the general public are concerned about developing dementia at some point and 1 in 4 people think that there is nothing we can do to prevent dementia.
- Almost 62% of healthcare practitioners worldwide incorrectly think that dementia is part of normal ageing
- 35% of carers across the world said that they have hidden the diagnosis of dementia of a family member
- Over 50% of carers globally say their health has suffered as a result of their caring responsibilities even whilst expressing positive sentiments about their role
Our Commitments
- Honor the personal experiences of those impacted by Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
- Advance the understanding of Alzheimer’s and other dementias through collective knowledge.
- Connect authors of carefully vetted books, blogs, podcasts, and films created from personal experience with caregivers and others seeking support for their dementia journeys.
- Promote works from around the world, welcoming a diversity of experiences.
- Encourage healing by embracing the power of vulnerability and the knowledge that you are not alone.
Our Collaboration Today
The AlzAuthors management team, now including Ann Campanella, Susan Landeis and Christy Yates, continues to seek out and evaluate the best books and resources on Alzheimer’s and dementia written from personal experience. Each week we feature a new author or podcast. We’ve curated more than 400 carefully vetted resources: books, blogs, podcasts, and films.
Some Of Our Valuable Offerings
- Our authors tell the “story behind their story” on our blog, giving readers deep insight into their dementia journeys and why they chose to share them. Competition for a blog post is high: We receive requests for inclusion weekly from authors worldwide. Each resource goes through a rigorous review process to ensure it meets our quality standards and adds value to the caregiving journey.
- Our Untangling Alzheimer’s and Dementia podcast, hosted by Marianne Sciucco and Christy Byrne Yates, offers interviews with our authors who share their caregiving stories, offering insight and support. We are a featured podcast on the Whole Care Network.
- We frequently offer online events on a variety of topics featuring our authors. Past programs include: Poetry for the Dementia Journey, Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Dementia (But Were Afraid to Ask) Part One and Part Two, Dementia with Difficult People, and Dementia & the Arts. The events are recorded and published on our podcast and YouTube channel.
- Our YouTube Channel features videos and interviews with our authors sharing their stories and advice to support caregivers.
- Free Booklets featuring our authors’ work, including Caring for a Mother with Dementia and Poetry for the Dementia Journey and others highlighting specific titles in our collection.
- Free Caregiver Tip Sheets, such as 13 Helpful Tips for the Long-Distance Caregiver, 10 Tips to Create a Holiday to Remember, and more.
- Our Custom Caregiver Collections are small libraries which provide support to families and caregivers and are available for purchase.
- AlzAuthors Amazon Book Club alerts readers to the newest books in our collection.
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