Alzheimer’s disease is a condition that impairs brain function and, over time, can cause memory, cognitive, and behavioral issues and eventually lead to death.
The condition greatly impacts the health of the aging — especially Latinos.
14% of the American Latino population older than 65 are living with Alzheimer’s, compared with 10% of the White population.
Alzheimer’s is projected to increase in older Latinos by 175% between 2018 and 2040, compared with a 32% increase in the White population, according to a new report, 2024 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, from the Alzheimer’s Association.
Let’s explore the data from the report. Alzheimer’s in America
Nearly 7 million older Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease as of 2024.
That’s about the same ...
Clinical trials have led to the development of better treatments, life-saving medicines, and new prevention strategies for cancer and other diseases. Still, clinical trials have lacked volunteers who are Latino. We need diverse representation in clinical trials to ensure health and medical discoveries are equitable for diverse populations. To promote clinical trials, let’s use #SaludTues on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, to discuss reasons why Latinos and all people should consider joining a clinical trial! WHAT: #SaludTues Tweetchat: Why Should You Try a Clinical Trial?
TIME/DATE: 1-2 p.m. ET (Noon-1 p.m. CT), Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023
WHERE: On Twitter with hashtag #SaludTues
HOST: @SaludAmerica
CO-HOSTS: Latinx Voces LLC (@latinxvocesllc); LatinaStrong Foundation ...
We know that Latinos are disproportionally impacted by Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other health conditions like Parkinson’s disease. That is why it’s important to have support and resources for those who are impacted, as well as their families and caregivers. Let’s explore various support groups from the Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases at UT Health San Antonio!
Support for Those with Lewy Body Dementia
The Biggs Institute hosts an in-person support group, Living Together with Lewy: Support group for Individuals Living with Lewy Body Dementia and their Care Partners. Lewy Body Dementia is the second-most common form of dementia, behind Alzheimer’s. It results in irreversible cognitive decline and movement problems ...
Nearly 7 million U.S. Latinos provide unpaid care to aging or older relatives. Many Latinos are expected to take on the respectable, but high-stress, role and often don’t consider themselves as caregivers. How can we ensure that caregivers along with their loved ones are receiving the help and support that they need? Let’s use #SaludTues on Nov. 7, 2023, to explore the important roles that caregivers take on along with how we can better support them and their loved ones. WHAT: #SaludTues: How to Help Latino Caregivers Support Loved Ones Who Have Alzheimer’s or Cancer
TIME/DATE: 1-2 p.m. EST (Noon-1 p.m. CST), Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023.
WHERE: On Twitter (X) with hashtag #SaludTues
HOST: Salud America! at UT Health San Antonio ...
Researchers at The Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases at UT Health San Antonio are recruiting participants for the VIVA-MIND study to learn whether a new drug therapy for Alzheimer’s disease can help people experiencing mild memory problems. Volunteers ages 50 to 89 with a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment or probable mild Alzheimer’s may ask about eligibility for VIVA-MIND, said Dr. Sudha Seshadri, professor of neurology and director of the Glenn Biggs Institute. Half of volunteers will be given the new drug therapy, an oral pill called varoglutamstat. The other half will receive a placebo pill that looks just like the study drug. “The first people who will benefit from a new Alzheimer’s disease treatment are those who are ...
Researchers at UT Health San Antonio are launching a five-year, $15.5-million study to investigate why the region’s older Mexican Americans experience a high rate of dementia. The project, the San Antonio Mind and Heart Study, is led by UT Health San Antonio’s Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases with funding from the National Institutes of Health/National Institute on Aging. Let’s dive deeper Latinos, dementia, and the goals of this study.
A Continuation of Important Data
The new dementia study is an is an extension of the San Antonio Heart Study, conducted at UT Health San Antonio between 1979 and 2006 led Dr. Helen P. Hazuda. Researchers, led by Dr. Claudia L. Satizabal, associate professor of population health ...
Thomas Brittain and his immediate family gathered in the neurologist’s office, eager to hear the health status of their beloved family member, 67-year-old Sarah Cadena. “Your mother has a cognitive impairment,” the neurologist said. “We recommend that she transition to living with family for her own safety.” Without a second thought, the Brittain family began planning how to care for Sarah Cadena. That was 13 years ago. Since then, Sarah Cadena has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, a disease that can lead to progressive memory loss and ability to perform daily activities. Thomas, Sarah Cadena’s son, a retired San Antonio police officer, is now her primary caretaker. Sarah Cadena lives with Thomas and his family, and as far as caretaking goes, Thomas said he and ...
Over 11 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias. Of those caregivers, about 25% are Latino. Many Latinos are “sandwich generation” caregivers — meaning that they care for an aging parent and at least one child. While caring for aging family members can be rewarding and feel like the right thing to do, caregiving is a full-time job that can be physically, mentally, and emotionally taxing. That’s why we’re highlighting 15 resources to help San Antonio and South Texas Alzheimer’s caregivers navigate caregiving challenges. Check out the list below, and feel free to share these resources with other caregivers.
Caring for the Caregiver at UT Health San Antonio
If you live in or near San Antonio, the Caring for the ...
A cool breeze hits Carlos Olivas III’s face and suddenly the smells of fresh, warm coffee and donuts hits his nose. He enjoys a short, tranquil moment at a bakery as part of his daily routine alongside his father, Carlos Olivas Jr., also known as Charlie. Carlos is a full-time caregiver for Charlie, who is living with Alzheimer’s in Sacramento. Carlos saw what caregiving looked like from a young age. He watched his mother and father care for his grandmother and, later, his father care for his ailing mother. “My dad was the caregiver for my mom, who was dealing with breast cancer, diabetes, and congenital heart failure. In 2008, she passed. Reflecting back, that was the first time, the real hero,” Carlos said. “He set the stage as a male caregiver, without knowing ...
