Alzheimer's Association to host Hispanic Symposium

The Alzheimer’s Association Long Island Chapter will host its third annual Hispanic Symposium virtually from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 9. The free symposium, which will be offered in English via Zoom, will be accessible by computer or telephone.

The symposium will offer information about the impact and prevalence of Alzheimer's disease in the Hispanic/Latinx community and discuss challenges Spanish-speaking families encounter with diagnosis, information learned from clinical trials and activities caregivers can do with someone living with dementia.

The keynote speaker will be Dr. Maria Carrillo, chief science officer for the Alzheimer’s Association, who will discuss what we know and what we still need to learn about Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia in the Latinx community. Carrillo has published extensively on early diagnosis and biomarker standardization efforts and the global challenges to progress for research in Alzheimer’s and dementia. She sits on the governing board of the Global Brain Health Institute and is on the advisory committee for the World Health Organization Dementia Setting Priorities & Portfolio Analysis.

Another featured speaker will be Nellie Escalante, senior program coordinator at Arts & Minds, who will speak about how to improve quality of life for people living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia by engaging them in art-centered activities.

The symposium will be held in partnership with Nassau County Office for the Aging, Nassau County Office of Hispanic Affairs, Noticia Newspaper, Catholic Charities and Suffolk County Department of Health Services-Office of Minority Health. To register, call 800.272.3900, email Maribeth Madigan at mamadigan@alz.org or click here. The symposium is supported in part by a grant from the New York State Department of Health.

“The goal of the symposium this year is to inform both professionals and caregivers of the resources available in their community for Alzheimer’s and all other dementia. Many from the Hispanic community aren’t aware of our free resources until later in their journey with the disease. We are trying to change that, so they can receive resources much sooner to make the caregiving journey a smoother one,” said Elizabeth Robles, community education manager for the Alzheimer’s Association Long Island Chapter.

Hispanics are the fastest-growing population in the United States. By 2050, the number of Hispanic elders with Alzheimer’s and other dementias could increase more than six-fold, from nearly 200,000 today to as many as 1.3 million.

• Hispanics/Latinos are about 1.5 times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias than older white Americans.
• Despite their increased risk, Hispanics/Latinos are underrepresented in clinical trials, making up just 1 to 7 percent of all clinical trial participants.
• Hispanics/Latinos may be more likely to be diagnosed in the later stages of the disease, when individuals are more cognitively and physically impaired — and therefore, in need of more medical care.

The Alzheimer’s Association offers free Spanish-language resources, programs and services:

• A free nationwide 24/7 Helpline (800.272.3900) staffed by specialists and master’s-level clinicians who offer comprehensive information, care consultations, referrals and real-time support — translation services are available in more than 200 languages
• A portal of information on Alzheimer’s and dementia, care and support, research, ways to involved and to find a local office
• The online community forum, AlzConnected®, provides a place for people living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers to connect with others, share questions, find answers and opinions.

About the Long Island Chapter

The Long Island Chapter serves families living with dementia in Suffolk and Nassau counties. To learn more about the programs and services offered locally, visit alz.org/longisland.

About the Alzheimer’s Association

The Alzheimer’s Association leads the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Its vision is a world without Alzheimer’s and all dementia. Visit alz.org.