Interview with a blogger…Kathy from KnowItAlz.com

There are so many interesting blogs out in cyberspace that tackle the issues of Alzheimer’s Disease. Most focus on research, education, and resources. But many have evolved because the blogger has someone in their life who has Alzheimer’s disease. These types of blogs are similar to the old fashioned diary or journal and offer a slice of life perspective. They give Alzheimer’s a human face.

Kathy is one such blogger. She started KnowItAlz while caring for her father who suffers from Alzheimer’s Disease. Reading Kathy’s blog is a little like reading a letter from home…she even provides you with a cast of characters so you always know who’s who.

I talked (via email) with Kathy the other day, asking her about blogging about Alzheimer’s.

Here’s what she has to say.

Kathy, what motivated you to start KnowItAlz?

When my mom died suddenly in 2004, my sisters and I decided that I was best equipped to care for Dad at home. It quickly became clear that he was not able to live by himself. My approach to getting him to move in with us was to just ask him if he would mind staying with us for a couple of weeks. Then we just eventually moved all of his things over, and he just transitioned into the move without ‘the talk’.

My goal as a caregiver is to provide a happy, stress free life for Dad, to preservie his pride and dignity, and search out the finest medical care available.

I started KnowItAlz so that I would be forced to think of at least one happy or funny thing every day. I feel that concentrating on the postive side of caregiving makes me a better daughter for my sweet Dad.

So tell us a little about the KnowItAlz blog.

I write a daily entry that shows the lighter (and sometime’s even ridiculous) side of caring for someone with dementia, and offers tips to caregivers. I am hoping to use my experiences as well as the experiences of others to make the caregivers that read the blog find the silver lining.

Here’s one such post:

When I Check out (June 23, 2007) Dad and I were at the grocery store this afternoon buying items for our big cookout. While in the checkout line, Dad noticed this week’s Newsweek magazine. The cover story is about caregiving and Alzheimer’s (a fantastic story by the way, if you haven’t read it).

He cracked us both up.

What do you personally get out of the KnowItAlz blog ?

I feel joy when reading comments from other caregivers that credit KnowItAlz for making them smile, or cheering them up. These are hard working, loving people that often have very few laughs.

And what keeps you blogging ?

I want people to know that an Alzheimer’s diagnosis is not the end of the world for the diagnosed person, or the caregiver. I want to show that even after 7 years into this disease, my Dad and I enjoy moments and memories we have left, and will go out fighting. And laughing.

So when you have free minute, stop by KnowItAlz and say hi to Kathy…