Mantenga su mente activa: Increasing awareness of Alzheimer's disease in the Latino community

The epidemiology of Alzheimer's disease among Hispanics in the US has only begun to be investigated. According to the Alzheimer's Association, with the high prevalence of associated risk factors, such as older age and the presence of vascular disease, Latinos face a greater risk of Alzheimer's disease than the general population. In fact, older Hispanics are at least 1.5 times more likely than older Whites to suffer from Alzheimer's and other dementias. Experts estimate that by 2050, the number of individuals 65 and older with Alzheimer's will number between 11 million and 16 million—more than double today's incidence. To address this issue the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), in collaboration with the MetLife Foundation and Alzheimer's Association, developed and implemented an Alzheimer's education program, Mantenga Su Mente Activa. The program has been adopted by 12 community-based organizations from NCLR's national Affiliate Network and continues to be shared among their Latino constituents. Using NCLR's promotor de salud (community health worker) model, Mantenga Su Mente Activa has reached 1,145 Latinos in ten communities through interactive educational sessions. Participants in the program have demonstrated increased knowledge and awareness of Alzheimer's symptoms, risk factors, and resources. There was, for example, a 250% increase in the number of participants that could identify at least one support resource for Alzheimer's. Fifty percent more participants could also identify ways to reduce one's risk for the disease. The program will expand to more communities while disseminating important information about Alzheimer's through public service announcements and social media.