Latinos are 1.5 times more likely than non-Hispanic Whites to develop Alzheimer’s disease, according to a report from the Alzheimer's Association. Due to systemic and cultural barriers that make access to diagnosis more challenging than for non-Hispanic Whites, early signs of cognitive change typically go unnoticed or undiscussed in Hispanic families, and too often a diagnosis happens only in a moment of crisis and/or emergency.
In an effort to increase early detection of Alzheimer’s and other dementias within the Hispanic community, we launched the “Some Things Come with Age, Others Don’t” campaign, in partnership with the Ad Council and the Alzheimer’s Association.
As Latinos, we tend to think that aging brings with it a set of almost expected disabilities, even considering some signs of Alzheimer’s something that comes with age, thus missing an opportunity for earlier diagnosis which could lead to a better quality of life for patients and their families.
This campaign celebrates the positive aspects of aging while encouraging Hispanic pre-care partners to recognize the early warning signs of Alzheimer’s and other dementias in their loved ones.
We’re also hoping to open a conversation about what getting older really brings, so we avoid misconceptions that also reinforce ageism.
