Listen to this note:
Caregivers and health experts say the stigma of Alzheimer's in many communities prevents effective care, so it is necessary to address cultural taboos around this disease and other forms of dementia among older adults and people with disabilities in communities that They range from Latina, African American, Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI), to LGBTQ+, as early detection is the key to their treatment.
Given this, California has launched a new campaign to Confront Alzheimer's, “TAKE ON ALZ”, from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), an education and awareness crusade aimed at all Californians to promote healthy brains, knowledge about difference between aging and dementia, as well as informing about the importance of prevention and early detection.
Dr. Lucía Abascal of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), explained a information session held by Ethnic Media Services that, according to a 2024 report, Alzheimer's is the second cause of death in California.
He explained that women from communities of color are more likely to develop Alzheimer's, so it should not be forgotten that not only age is one of the main factors.
?We know that it is essential to detect Alzheimer's early to have treatment options. The idea is that, as long as a diagnosis is made as soon as possible, it is easier for the person who has Alzheimer's and their caregivers as well.?, commented Dr. Abascal.
The campaign seeks to empower more Californians with the support of the community to recognize the science of the disease, either personally or with some family and friends, to reduce the risk for more people.
Dr. Dolores Gallagher Thompson, professor emerita in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine, commented that it is important to give value to people who suffer from Alzheimer's, since they cannot do the same activities than before.
A common example is cooking family dinner, however following recipes is not always possible for an Alzheimer's patient, so assigning easy tasks and providing support is important, but showing them their great value will be essential.
To reduce the risk of having Alzheimer's, he said, it is important to stay active, constantly engaging in physical activity; You should also maintain a balanced and balanced diet, without failing to control other diseases that can make adults more vulnerable.
At the time, Dr. María Aranda, professor of Social Work and Gerontology at USC, and executive director of the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work at USC, explained that the common factor in this disease is the fact of aging, Therefore, anyone can acquire it, which is why the fact of treating and taking care of yourself is highlighted, preventing with timely medical attention.
The real problem, he pointed out, is that in vulnerable communities such as Latinos, the terms are not known nor are they sufficiently disseminated, which makes everything turn gray, leaving many points of misinformation.
To this, he added that there are also doctors who have information biases, since they are loaded with prejudices and leave patients with more information gaps.
Lunae Chrysanta, director of training and transformation at Openhouse in San Francisco, explained that researchers estimate that there are around 2.7 million LGTBQ+ people over the age of 50, a community that is growing rapidly.
?We expect to live and die with dignity, what happens is that, as people grow up, they depend on the care of others and are afraid, so they feel they have to hide who they are and go back into the closet.?, commented Lunae Chrysanta.
A study conducted in 2023 showed that prejudice in older adults ends in discrimination due to issues they have faced during their lives; Estimates show that 40 percent of LGBTQ+ people and 46 percent of transgender older adults do not reveal their sexual orientation and gender because they fear it will affect the quality of medical care.
Petra Niles from Alzheimer's in Los Angeles and Senior Manager of Education & Outreach, highlighted that the African American community, of which she is a part, is one of the most affected, since when the diagnosis is made they usually have financial problems or a lack of health services. health, which makes it difficult to take care of yourself and carry out adequate treatment.
For her, it is important to build good relationships that generate trust with doctors and the Afro-descendant community, all with the aim of contributing to prevention.
?This is a disease that is not going to go away and of course it is important to prevent it.?, ended Petra Niles.
You may be interested in: Appropriate treatments improve the quality of life of children with autism: Maribel Hernández Gómez, Mind Institute UC Davis Health
