The global landscape of online dementia resources

This multi-country study provides the first systematic assessment of publicly accessible online dementia resources across 17 countries spanning diverse income levels and geographic regions. We mapped 124 online resources and evaluated their alignment with carer information needs using an evidence-based taxonomy covering disease knowledge, healthcare navigation, information sources, financial/legal support, and self-care. Our findings reveal disparities in resource availability and quality, with a "digital threshold effect" where countries with limited internet infrastructure had no identifiable online dementia resources. NGO-led provision dominated (68%), but quality varied widely, with mean domain coverage ranging from 47% to 96% across countries. Higher-scoring resources were associated with clear governance, dedicated funding, and systematic content maintenance. Technical accessibility assessments against WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards showed variable compliance. We identified adaptable delivery models including digital integration, multi-channel communication, cultural and linguistic tailoring, and community-based approaches. The study establishes a baseline for monitoring equity in online dementia support and offers policy recommendations for minimum standards, health system integration, hybrid delivery in low-connectivity contexts, and sustainable resourcing to address the growing global dementia burden through accessible digital resources.