Alzheimer's Among African-American And Hispanic.
Alzheimer's Donation
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Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative disorder that attacks the brain's nerve cells, resulting in loss of memory, thinking and language skills, and behavioral changes. An estimated one in 10 persons over age 65 and nearly half of those 85 or older have Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease currently strikes approximately five million Americans; published reports project that by 2050 this number could more than triple to more than 16 million people in the United States.
Alzheimer's disease occurs significantly more frequently among African American (10.5%) and Hispanic (9.8%) individuals than among Caucasian (5.4%) individuals. Moreover, the proportion of African American and Hispanic individuals reaching ages 65+ in the U.S. is increasing more rapidly than the proportion of Caucasian individuals (2).
Symptoms of moderate Alzheimer's disease can include difficulty identifying familiar people, places, or things, restlessness, sleep disturbances, poor judgment or difficulty with reasoning, aggression or agitation, inappropriate behavior, increased difficulty with everyday activities, losing touch with reality, suspiciousness or paranoia, and hallucinations.
African-American and Hispanic caregivers (1) of people with Alzheimer's disease are significantly more likely than caregivers of other races to consider the disease a normal part of the aging process and dismiss its symptoms as part of getting older, according to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America's (AFA) second ICAN: Investigating Caregivers' Attitudes and Needs survey. This gap in understanding sheds light on the reasons for delay in diagnosis and treatment, which is an unnecessary setback for caregivers and individuals with the disease alike.
"Facing Alzheimer's disease is never easy, but getting a diagnosis and taking advantage of support services are crucial steps to treating and managing the disease," said Eric J. Hall, Chief Executive Officer of the Alzheimer's Foundation of America. "We encourage everyone touched by Alzheimer's disease to reach out for assistance - help is out there."
The survey was conducted by Harris Interactive® on behalf of AFA, a national nonprofit organization providing care and services to individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, and their families.
According to the survey released today, African-American and Hispanic caregivers surveyed were significantly more likely (37% versus 33%) than caregivers of other races (23%) to believe that Alzheimer's disease is a normal part of the aging process. In fact, Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, neurodegenerative illness. Compounding the problem, African-American (70%) and Hispanic (67%) caregivers were also significantly more likely to dismiss the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease as old age than other respondents of other races (53%). Additionally, African-American (67%) and Hispanic (63%) caregivers were significantly more likely to report that they did not know enough about the disease to recognize the symptoms compared to caregivers of other races (49%).
The survey also found that African-American (33%) and Hispanic (26%) caregivers were also more likely than caregivers of other races (12%) to recognize that they are at a higher risk for Alzheimer's disease.
"Alzheimer's disease is a devastating illness that is by no means a normal part of aging," explained Warachal E. Faison, M.D., Assistant Director of the Institute for Research Minority Training on Mental Health and Aging, and Clinical Director of the Alzheimer's Research and Clinical Programs at the Medical University of South Carolina. "My deep concern is that caregivers who consider the disease normal and don't know how to recognize its symptoms are not going to be able to make the best healthcare decisions for their loved ones with the disease and themselves as caregivers. The fact is, it's crucial for caregivers to be able to identify symptoms and bring their loved one to a doctor without delay for proper diagnosis and treatment."
Alzheimer's Donation
Donate Online Now
.
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative disorder that attacks the brain's nerve cells, resulting in loss of memory, thinking and language skills, and behavioral changes. An estimated one in 10 persons over age 65 and nearly half of those 85 or older have Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease currently strikes approximately five million Americans; published reports project that by 2050 this number could more than triple to more than 16 million people in the United States.
Alzheimer's disease occurs significantly more frequently among African American (10.5%) and Hispanic (9.8%) individuals than among Caucasian (5.4%) individuals. Moreover, the proportion of African American and Hispanic individuals reaching ages 65+ in the U.S. is increasing more rapidly than the proportion of Caucasian individuals (2).
Symptoms of moderate Alzheimer's disease can include difficulty identifying familiar people, places, or things, restlessness, sleep disturbances, poor judgment or difficulty with reasoning, aggression or agitation, inappropriate behavior, increased difficulty with everyday activities, losing touch with reality, suspiciousness or paranoia, and hallucinations.
African-American and Hispanic caregivers (1) of people with Alzheimer's disease are significantly more likely than caregivers of other races to consider the disease a normal part of the aging process and dismiss its symptoms as part of getting older, according to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America's (AFA) second ICAN: Investigating Caregivers' Attitudes and Needs survey. This gap in understanding sheds light on the reasons for delay in diagnosis and treatment, which is an unnecessary setback for caregivers and individuals with the disease alike.
"Facing Alzheimer's disease is never easy, but getting a diagnosis and taking advantage of support services are crucial steps to treating and managing the disease," said Eric J. Hall, Chief Executive Officer of the Alzheimer's Foundation of America. "We encourage everyone touched by Alzheimer's disease to reach out for assistance - help is out there."
The survey was conducted by Harris Interactive® on behalf of AFA, a national nonprofit organization providing care and services to individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, and their families.
According to the survey released today, African-American and Hispanic caregivers surveyed were significantly more likely (37% versus 33%) than caregivers of other races (23%) to believe that Alzheimer's disease is a normal part of the aging process. In fact, Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, neurodegenerative illness. Compounding the problem, African-American (70%) and Hispanic (67%) caregivers were also significantly more likely to dismiss the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease as old age than other respondents of other races (53%). Additionally, African-American (67%) and Hispanic (63%) caregivers were significantly more likely to report that they did not know enough about the disease to recognize the symptoms compared to caregivers of other races (49%).
The survey also found that African-American (33%) and Hispanic (26%) caregivers were also more likely than caregivers of other races (12%) to recognize that they are at a higher risk for Alzheimer's disease.
"Alzheimer's disease is a devastating illness that is by no means a normal part of aging," explained Warachal E. Faison, M.D., Assistant Director of the Institute for Research Minority Training on Mental Health and Aging, and Clinical Director of the Alzheimer's Research and Clinical Programs at the Medical University of South Carolina. "My deep concern is that caregivers who consider the disease normal and don't know how to recognize its symptoms are not going to be able to make the best healthcare decisions for their loved ones with the disease and themselves as caregivers. The fact is, it's crucial for caregivers to be able to identify symptoms and bring their loved one to a doctor without delay for proper diagnosis and treatment."
posted by Valery Yermalitsky at
6:59 AM
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