Learning as much as you can about your diagnosis is the first step toward empowering yourself to take control of your life and make decisions that will help you live well with Alzheimer's for as long as possible.

Benefits of learning more about Alzheimer's

It is normal to be hesitant or resistant to learning how the disease will progress and impact your life. But there are benefits:

• You may experience a stronger connection to your emotions and identity.
• Knowledge about Alzheimer's can provide you the confidence to make important decisions about how you choose to live your life and plan for your future.

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Educating yourself about Alzheimer's also may help you to:

• Come to terms with your diagnosis.
• Be an active participant in making your own legal, financial and long-term care plans.
• Reevaluate your priorities; set goals you would like to accomplish while you are still able.
• Share your diagnosis with others.
• Educate others about the disease and reduce stigma.
• Discuss available treatments and medications with your doctor.
• Recognize the symptoms of the disease so you can adapt to these changes and develop coping strategies.
• Build a care team that understands your current and future needs and wishes.
• Make a decision about participating in clinical trials. 
• Take a more active role in managing your disease.

There is an abundance of information available online, and it may have been one of the first places you turned to after learning your diagnosis. To help ensure you get the most credible, reliable and objective information, use well-respected websites.

Learn at your own pace

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Taking action helps you learn about the disease, learn from others and learn about yourself.

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As you begin learning about your diagnosis, there may be information that will be difficult for you to deal with — and that's OK. Learn about the disease and how it will impact you and your family at your own pace. Set realistic expectations about the information you are able to process. Then come back to this site to learn more as often as you need.

Some important questions to ask yourself as you prepare to learn about the disease are:

1. What are the most important questions about the disease that I need answered right now?
2. How much information am I able to cope with at this time?
3. How much do I want to learn about the disease right now?
4. What resources are available to help me learn about my diagnosis?
5. Are there resources available to me in the community where I live? Start your search by using the free Alzheimer’s Association & AARP Community Resource Finder. Discover a local early-stage program and other resources in your area. 

Alzheimer's Association resources

• On our website, you may want to start with these pages: What is Alzheimer's?, Stages of Alzheimer's and Brain Tour.
• Call the 24/7 Helpline (800.272.3900). Care specialists and master’s-level
  clinicians provide reliable information and support all day, every day.
• Join ALZConnected®. Engage with other individuals living with the disease through ALZConnected, our online networking community. Be sure to visit the I Have Alzheimer’s or Younger-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease message boards.
• Participate in support groups designed specifically for individuals in the early stage. You can also check out out early-stage social engagement programs, too. 
• Take our free, online workshop Living with Alzheimer's: For People with Alzheimer's. It covers what you need to know, plan and do. 
• Use the Alzheimer’s Association & AARP Community Resource Finder to search and learn about local services, such as care and living options.
• Connect with your local Alzheimer's Association to learn more about support programs available to you. Find my local Alzheimer's Association.