My mother is 59 years old. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease at a moderate stage. And that diagnosis changed everything.
The Beginning I Didn't Want to See
At first, I didn't want to admit it to myself. I refused to believe my mother was sick.
The onset was subtle. Small things. Things you explain away.
Why does she keep asking when I'm coming to visit? We talked about it yesterday. And the day before. Why can't she remember something so simple?
Why is she searching through her purse for the sixth time in an hour, pulling everything out, looking for her wallet that's been in the same pocket for years?
I was full of anger, denial, frustration — feelings I'm ashamed to admit now.
Looking back, I realize the anger wasn't at her. It was at the disease. At the unfairness. At the slow, quiet way it was taking her from me.
The Breaking Point
The moment I knew I had to build something came on an ordinary Tuesday afternoon.
I couldn't reach mom. Her phone was completely silent. The panic ended when my brother's ex-wife texted me: mom was at her workplace because she lost her keys and couldn't get home.
But that wasn't all. Mom had also gone to the phone carrier and swapped her SIM card. For a reason she couldn't explain. She didn't remember doing it. And suddenly, she was completely unreachable.
I was 180 kilometers away. Helpless. Terrified. Unable to even call her.
In that moment, I made a promise: I would find a way to always stay connected with her, even when everything else fails.
Why Existing Solutions Don't Work
I searched everywhere for something that could help. What I found was either:
- Too expensive — Institutional systems completely out of reach for regular families
- Too complicated — Apps that my mother simply cannot navigate
- Too impersonal — Technology without humanity, designed by people who've never lived this experience
Smart home devices? Too complicated. Reminder apps? She can't navigate them. Video calling apps? Confusing interface, forgotten passwords, missed calls.
What AlwaysWith Will Be
AlwaysWith is built on three core principles:
- Simple by Design — Large buttons, clear actions. One "Do I have duties now?" button that tells you exactly what to do next.
- Gentle Technology — Never rushes. Never judges. Celebrates every small victory.
- Family Connection — Technology that connects families, not replaces them.
This Is Just The Beginning
I'm not pretending this will be done quickly. Building quality software and hardware for vulnerable people requires care, expertise, and time.
But I'm committed to doing everything in my power to make AlwaysWith a reality. Not just for my mother — but for everyone living with dementia and Alzheimer's disease. And just as importantly: for their families.
Because I know what it's like to lie awake at night, wondering if your loved one is okay.
— Martin