engleski

The use of online discussion forums by people with Alzheimer Disease and their caregrivers

This paper presents findings from the study which investigated information needs of patients with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and their caregivers in Croatia. The study was conducted with the help of quantitative analysis and content analysis of statements on the Croatian Internet forum (Forum.hr) posted by the patients with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and their caregivers. Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a progressive disease connected with the loss of memory and other cognitive abilities which interferes with one’s behavior, interaction with environment and the overall quality of life. It is believed that approximately 50 million people all around world suffer from this incurable disease or some other type of dementia. Although each person experiences dementia in their own way, eventually they are unable to care for themselves and need help with all aspects of daily life. In the paper only a portion of obtained results is presented, specifically the quantitative findings on the frequency of the posts, their characteristics and the demographic characteristics of the people contributing the posts.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) ; patients ; caregivers ; information needs ; Internet ; online forum ; Croatia

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