Our ability to provide quality care and support to underserved populations facing Alzheimer's and all other dementia is critical to changing health outcomes for all Americans. We are only reaching a fraction of people affected by this disease, and this must change. To expand our efforts, we are dedicated to bringing culturally relevant resources and information to people in their communities with intentional inclusion. The following are some of the resources released to reach communities.

Center for Dementia Respite Innovation (CDRI)

Through a five-year, $25 million grant — the largest in Association history — from the Administration on Community Living (ACL), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Center for Dementia Respite Innovation (CDRI) fosters innovation in respite care models and enhances respite services for people living with dementia and their caregivers. The CDRI works to address the disparity and burden of care, specifically in communities at higher risk for Alzheimer's and other dementia.

CalGrows Innovation Fund/essentiALZ®

In 2024, the Association was one of 76 organizations across California that received a grant through the CalGrows Innovation Fund. Grants were awarded to fund novel approaches for the direct care workforce and unpaid family and friend caregivers. The evidence-based essentiALZ® — Alzheimer's Association Training and Certification program increases professional care providers' knowledge and confidence in caring for individuals living with dementia. Available in English and Spanish, this comprehensive training program is for staff working in nursing homes, assisted living, life-plan communities, home care, home health, hospice and adult day care.

The Spanish-language materials include videos of Spanish-speaking professional care providers discussing how they apply person-centered care approaches in their settings. As a result of this grant, the Association provided the essentiALZ training for free to 350 qualified participants.

Healthy Brain Initiative: Road Map for American Indian and Alaska Native Peoples

In December 2024, the Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released the second edition of The Healthy Brain Initiative: Road Map for American Indian and Alaska Native Peoples to equip public health professionals working with American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities with strategies to improve brain health, address dementia and better meet the needs of caregivers. The program is informed by input from the Healthy Brain Initiative's Leadership Committee — comprising 22 tribal leaders, physicians, experts and researchers in public health and across the care continuum — as well as tribal and non-tribal members of the public via listening sessions and an open input period.

The Road Map Series was developed with respect to tribal sovereignty and has guided public health to action in all states — including many local health departments and tribal health organizations. The series frames opportunities to reduce risk, expand early detection and diagnosis, improve safety and quality of care for people living with cognitive impairment, and support caregivers’ health and well-being through culturally centered storytelling, references materials and graphics.

Health Equity Coalitions

To help improve Alzheimer's diagnosis, care and education in targeted communities, the Association enlisted the help of 10 grassroots ALZ Health Equity Coalitions, which work to improve the state of diagnosis and care for underserved and disproportionately affected communities facing Alzheimer's and other dementia. By leveraging local knowledge, relationships and resources, the coalitions will help reduce barriers to care and increase awareness and access to resources in these communities. Ultimately, the coalitions will become part of a national ALZ Health Equity Advisory Council to serve as strategic advisors to bring a diversity of input to the Association. Currently, ALZ Health Equity Coalitions have a presence in Southeast Florida, Greater Indiana, Wisconsin, Greater Pennsylvania, Greater Missouri, Cleveland Area, Georgia, Greater Maryland, Northern California and Greater Michigan.

Health Equity Champions

The Association's volunteer outreach strategy is central to expanding care and support. As part of our peer-to-peer model, Health Equity Champions are volunteer partners that deliver awareness presentations in their communities to raise awareness about the Association and Alzheimer's. These volunteers are essential because they make connections with community leaders, organizations and the public. They provide information about Association resources and events like Walk to End Alzheimer's® and The Longest Day® and initiatives such as Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month. By identifying population trends and language needs in communities, the Association translated the awareness presentation used by Health Equity Champions into Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese. These presentations have been presented in communities 269 times reaching 11,872 constituents. The Association has seen growth of 5% over two years in its efforts to engage Asian, Black, Native Hawaiian and Hispanic volunteers.