Caring for a loved one with dementia means navigating shifting realities with patience, creativity, and love. In the Smart Patients community, caregivers share hard-earned wisdom on when to step into your loved one’s world instead of correcting them—whether that’s going along with a mistaken memory, offering gentle reassurance, or finding small ways to bring calm. This post explores how dementia caregiving challenges identity, tests resilience, and underscores the need for practical support, breaks, and self-preservation.

Caregiving for someone with Parkinson’s means balancing love, patience, and exhaustion—often in the middle of the night. From midnight showers to 3 a.m. cleanups, caregivers walk the line between ‘too much’ and ‘not enough.’ In the Smart Patients community, they share the small victories, hard truths, and creative strategies that keep them going—and remind each other they’re not alone.

In today’s digital world, health misinformation spreads faster than ever—often disguised as scientific fact. The Art of Identifying (Scientific) Misinformation explores how to recognize false health claims, understand the emotional tactics behind them, and navigate online content with a critical eye. As patients, caregivers, and advocates, we must learn to ask the right questions and seek trusted sources. At Smart Patients, a peer-to-peer health community, members support each other in separating fact from fiction. Join us to become a more informed advocate for your health, armed with real experiences and evidence-based insights. Your curiosity is your best defense.

When Bill was diagnosed with papillary renal cell carcinoma (pRCC)—a rare type of kidney cancer—he didn’t just follow the standard path. He asked questions, analyzed data, and became a powerful self-advocate.

From seeking second opinions to organizing an AI-powered health hackathon, Bill’s journey shows how patient empowerment and curiosity can change lives. Today, he’s a trusted voice in the Smart Patients kidney cancer community, helping others facing rare diagnoses.

Discover how international medical collaboration bridges critical healthcare gaps for pediatric sarcoma patients, providing life-changing second opinions regardless of geography or resources. Learn why patient advocacy networks represent the future of rare disease treatment in 2025 and beyond.

Discover how Smart Patients and the Autoimmune Registry are reimagining autoimmune research with patient voices at the center of innovation and care.

Glenn's 15-year kidney cancer journey transformed from "super dark days" to powerful advocacy through online community support. His story shows how Smart Patients connects kidney cancer patients and caregivers with practical advice, hope, and the confidence to become stronger self-advocates in their treatment decisions.

Discover how the Smart Patients kidney cancer community helps patients find strength, practical wisdom, and hope through shared experiences and peer support. Beyond medicine, community matters.

Discover the latest gastric cancer treatment options, from surgical innovations to promising clinical trials like MATTERHORN and KUNLUN. Learn about symptoms, early detection, and quality of life after gastrectomy.

When doctors gave Don Jackson "zero hope" after his stage 4 cancer diagnosis, he refused to surrender. Instead, a single comment in an online patient community led him to a medical test that would later save his life. Seven years later, at nearly 90 years old, Don isn't just surviving—he's thriving and inspiring others. His story reminds us that hope persists even in the darkest moments, that medical miracles do happen, and that sometimes, the most life-changing connections come from unexpected places. Don's journey shows us that in our interconnected world, we're never truly alone in our health struggles, and a simple act of sharing knowledge can ripple outward to save a life.

Learn how dysautonomia symptoms affect the body's 'autopilot' functions. New brain imaging research explains post-exertional fatigue, brain fog, and POTS syndrome symptoms.

We learned how functional cancer testing measures live cancer cell responses to treatments, potentially saving precious time in finding effective therapies.

Navigating gynecologic cancer care can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. In partnership with our Smart Patients community and Clinical Care Options, we’re excited to introduce a new tool: the Guide to Working with Your Gynecologic Cancer Care Team. This patient-driven guide is here to help you understand your options, ask the right questions, and make decisions that feel right for you. With insights for both patients and healthcare providers, it’s a step toward more personalized, equitable care for everyone facing a gynecologic cancer diagnosis.

Why do patient education videos fall so flat? Smart Patients tackles the challenge of creating truly engaging content. We explore patient-centered communication strategies, cultural sensitivity, and ways to humanize medical expertise. For Medical Affairs teams and Education Specialists, we offer practical tips on partnering with patient communities, measuring real-world impact, and leveraging technology for better content delivery. By following these approaches, pharma companies can develop educational videos that resonate with patients, leading to improved treatment adherence and health outcomes.

As we reflect on Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, we want to shine a light on both our incredible advocacy partners and our amazing community. Our ovarian cancer community serves as a lifeline for women navigating this difficult diagnosis. The wisdom and support shared by those who have been through similar experiences are invaluable, especially when facing the overwhelming realities of cancer. The peer-to-peer connections formed here offer comfort and understanding that can only come from those who truly know what you’re going through, profoundly impacting each member's journey.

Facing Parkinson’s Disease (PD) can feel isolating and overwhelming, but at Smart Patients, we believe in the strength of community. During a recent "Ask the Expert" session with Dr. Rebecca Gilbert from the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA), we saw firsthand how valuable our online community can be for education. Dr. Gilbert provided insights into the medical complexities of PD while addressing the everyday challenges patients and caregivers face, emphasizing the importance of both knowledge and empathy in peer support.

In the era of personalized medicine, healthcare is tailored to each individual's unique clinical and biological context, personal preferences, and goals. This approach integrates patient goals and social contexts with genetic insights for comprehensive care. Smart Patients offers pharmaceutical companies a unique opportunity to engage with patients through online health communities. These communities foster a sense of connection, provide valuable peer support, and complement clinical care with insights from others who share similar experiences.

Here we answer the question: How can pharma enhance patient engagement?

Explore the therapeutic role of pets in caregiving on Smart Patients. Read heartwarming stories of how dogs provide comfort, joy, and companionship to those dealing with health challenges. Join our community to share and discover the healing power of pet therapy.

Hospital debt can be overwhelming, particularly for patients unaware of the financial assistance options available to them. Here is a guide to understanding and accessing hospital debt forgiveness through charity care programs, which are crucial for reducing or eliminating medical bills for eligible patients.

In a recent session with Smart Patients, Dr. Sri Komanduri, the Associate Chief of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and the Director of Endoscopy at Northwestern Medicine and a key figure at the Esophageal Cancer Action Network shared valuable insights into Barret’s Esophagus, a precancerous condition.