Latinos are twice as likely to get Alzheimer’s disease compared to whites. As a community, Latinos often have challenges finding resources and knowing how to address the stigma of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
In our conversations with those living with younger onset Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia and their caregivers from the Latino community, here are issues shared:
- It can be hard to feel comfortable in sharing the diagnosis of dementia.
- It is hard to find culturally sensitive and affordable resources.
- Lack of health insurance and legal status has an impact on accessing resources.
- What are the first steps when recognizing a problem or after a diagnosis?
- What are ways to find positive activities?
- How do you make financial and legal plans?
If you are in the Latino community and living with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia in Illinois, we would like to hear from you. What are issues, concerns or experiences you would want to share with others in our state. The same is true if you are a caregiver to someone living with dementia. What would you want to share with others?