Reviewing the Validity of Caregiving Websites Available to the Public
Hanna Mallette
Colorado State University

Abstract When searching the internet for websites containing help and advice for today’s caregiver, I found that there are many sites containing information that is neither accurate nor useful. Upon reviewing two of these available websites, WWW.Parentgiving.com and WWW.Dementiacaregiving101.com, I found that although these sites contained many of the same topics, their information was not equally credible. I came to the conclusion that there are hundreds of websites containing insufficient information concerning todays aging population available to the general public.

Reviewing the Validity of Caregiving Websites Available to the Public When being presented with the difficult task of caregiving, many people feel isolated in the everyday struggles that are coupled with their responsibility. Often times they have no one to turn to for answers to their questions and concerns, therefore, the internet becomes their primary resource. Although the internet is an excellent source of information on just about anything one can type into the Google browser, the amount of data available can be overwhelming and much of the information found on many websites is not reliable. When “Help for dementia caregivers” is entered into Google, 293,000 results are returned. One could potentially spend weeks sorting through invalid, potentially harmful information. However, upon reviewing these sites, I found that there are few sites that do contain helpful, reliable information. I reviewed two websites that were geared towards adult caregivers who are caring for a parent with Alzheimer's. Although both websites contained much of the same information, there were considerable differences that a reader must take into account when searching for information concerning caregiving for a loved one. The first website reviewed was WWW.Parentgiving.com. Upon entering the site, the first thing noticed was the easy to use links designed to guide the user to exactly what they are searching for. Each link is clearly geared towards the purpose of the website, which is stated as being created for “time-starved caregivers” to “provide better care for their aging parents by providing: in-depth information and helpful checklists about a variety of caregiving topics” (“About parentgiving.com - ,” 2010). When a link is clicked, many different articles appear with specific titles to ensure fast and easy solutions. The articles are written in terms that most anyone can adequately comprehend, and the authors or reputable sources are identified in each article adding validity to the information given. To further validate the website, the creators and monitors are listed, and their contact information is given. “The Parentgiving Team” is made up of three founders who cared for their aging parents themselves, each with a page length biography explaining their experience as caregivers to reassure readers that they are getting up to date and useful information (“About parentgiving.com - ,” 2010). The website provides blogs and question and answer forums, created and managed by certified doctors, adding additional credibility. The website guarantees confidentiality, by controlling the release of personal information of any of its users. Although the first name and state of users submitting questions are made public, the email address or any other contact information remains confidential and will only be used by the website managers (“Privacy policy” 2009). I found the website title “The ultimate senior care resource” (“Parentgiving” 2010) reassuring and would frequent WWW.Parentgiving.com as an inexperienced caregiver. Not only does this website give credible information, but it goes a step further by providing links to many resources to assist caregivers. The links include topics ranging from how to lower the cost of caregiving to emotional support for caregivers. The information is unquestionably valid because, unlike many of the sites listed, this site provides the credentials of the website developers and authors of the articles, along with contact information for help or concerns. The second site reviewed was WWW.Dementiacaregiving101.com. The name of the website elicits a sense of reliability and ease of use in the reader, with the stated purpose of the site being to assist those who are caregiving for an elder with dementia (Farris, 2010). Just as the previous site reviewed, the links are straightforward and the articles written in simple terms. An added benefit to this site are video clips, with additional information on many topics, that can be easily viewed without special technology. This is where the similarities end. Whereas the previous website referenced nothing but healthcare professionals, the second site reviewed is sourced solely by lay persons. The homepage clearly states that the website was created by two “sisters who were caregivers for their mother as she battled Alzheimer’s Disease.”(Farris, 2010). All articles are written by these two sisters. Yes, these two have experience caring for a loved one suffering from Alzheimer's Disease, but they do not provide the level of expertise of credibility of medical doctors. Compared to the creators and writers on WWW.Parentgiving.com, their information does not cover as wide a variety of topics or give as detailed information, e.g., the many symptoms and various stages of progression that can be experienced by different individuals suffering from the disease. The sisters are writing the articles only from the effects that they experienced with their mother, which may lead many readers to draw the conclusion that the information lacks depth and is biased. Even though there is a question forum with contact information, readers may be hesitant to contact the two sisters for fear of an inaccurate information, that could potentially harm a loved one. In my opinion, these two women have created the website with the best of intentions to assist caregivers who cannot afford professional help. Despite their good intentions, this is one of many websites available to the public that has minimal, inaccurate information, focused only towards the observed symptoms and progression experienced by one individual who suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease. It was surprising to find the hundreds of websites containing unreliable, inaccurate, and potentially dangerous information concerning care giving for a parent with dementia. It is clear that when searching the internet for information concerning the aging population, there are numerous inadequate and inaccurate websites available to the public. It would be a huge mistake for a caregiver to choose to use any of the websites without reviewing the validity and credibility of the authors and information, as they could potentially harm a loved one. For this reason users of web based data sources must exercise extreme caution and plan on expending considerable time in filtering through the hundreds of thousands of data sources to sort the good from the bad.

References
(2009, June 11). Privacy Policy. Retrieved Nov. 17, 2010 from Parentgiving, Inc, Montclair, NJ. Web site: http://www.parentgiving.com/elder-care/privacy-policy/.
(2010). Home. Retrieved Nov. 17, 2010, from Parentgiving, Inc, Montclair, NJ. Web site: http://www.parentgiving.com.
(2010). Parentgiving. Retrieved Nov. 17, 2010, from Parentgiving, Inc, Montclair, NJ. Web site: http://www.parentgiving.com/elder-care/about/.
Farris, P., & Stultz, L. (2010). Help for Dementia Caregivers From Someone Who's Been There! Retrieved Nov. 17, 2010, from Dementia Caregiving 101, Mesa, AZ. Web site: http://www.dementiacaregiving101.com/index.html.