2010 Grants - Cruz

Research Leading to Early Detection and Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease Among Hispanics

Yanira L. Cruz, M.P.H., D.Ph.
National Hispanic Council on Aging
Washington, D.C.

2010 New Investigator Research Grant to Promote Diversity

Studies suggest that many Hispanics may have more risk factors for developing dementia than other groups, and due to cultural differences, they often mistake dementia symptoms for normal aging thus delaying a diagnosis and treatment.

Yanira L. Cruz, M.P.H., D.Ph., proposes to understand the attitudes, level of stigma, level of knowledge and challenges for caregivers and healthcare providers related to Alzheimer's disease in the U.S. Hispanic community.

The understandings gained from the study will form the basis for interventions designed to ensure early detection of Alzheimer's in the Hispanic community. The research team will conduct 12 focus groups at each of the two community-based sites, including six focus groups with older Hispanic adults with or at-risk for Alzheimer's and six focus groups with caregivers.

Because qualitative research is especially fruitful in the highly verbal Hispanic community, the data from these focus groups will form the basis for a pilot intervention that will be designed to educate and motivate the Hispanic community to confront Alzheimer's head on and achieve early detection for all people with Alzheimer's.