Individuals and their care partners who are left confused and directionless by a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and other dementias are the target audience for a new app developed by the Alzheimer’s Association.
The free My Alz Journey app is aimed at helping newly diagnosed, early-stage individuals and their care partners navigate their journey with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, connecting them to needed information and resources. It provides personalized guidance, education, planning tools, interactive activities and links to local community resources.
“An Alzheimer’s or dementia diagnosis can be overwhelming and isolating,” said Jim Hammelev, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association of Colorado. “After receiving a diagnosis, Colorado families can use this app to understand where there are resources in the community — or online through the Alzheimer’s Association — to help them better navigate the challenges they are facing.”
Currently, there are more than 7.4 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease, including 91,000 cases in Colorado alone. An estimated 50 percent of those cases are never diagnosed.
A 2024 Alzheimer’s Association survey found 66 percent of dementia caregivers report difficulty finding resources and support following a dementia diagnosis.
People living with dementia, including members of the Alzheimer’s Association National Early-Stage Advisory Group, were instrumental in the app’s development — identifying the need for it, helping shape and test its content and, eventually, naming it.
Unpaid family caregivers, who number more than 178,000 in Colorado, also will find the My ALZ Journey app helpful in supporting those who are involved in the care of loved ones with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
Ideal for those who already enjoy using apps in their daily lives, My ALZ Journey features a simple, intuitive design that guides users through a personalized experience. The home screen offers a curated path with step-by-step guidance and resources that evolve over time to reflect the user’s journey.
The app’s library provides easy access to topic-based educational content from alz.org, answering common questions about Alzheimer’s, caregiving and planning for the future.
Users can connect directly to the Colorado chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association through the “community” section, which highlights nearby support groups, events and programs. The activity center offers interactive tools, planning resources and brain-stimulating activities to help users stay engaged and supported.
“We’re excited to have this new app as a resource for our local families,” said Hammelev. “In addition to connecting them to important disease-related information, we hope it will encourage their participation in the various local programs we offer. We want families affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementia to know they are not alone.”
My ALZ Journey is available now for free in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. For more information, visit alz.org/MyALZJourney.
To learn more about the information, programs and services provided by the Alzheimer’s Association, all at no charge, go to alz.org or call the Association’s free 24/7 Helpline at (800) 272-3900.
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