CONTACT: Abbey Hunton, aahunton@alz.org, 215.399.9151
Program aims to empower caregivers with knowledge to balance a healthy life while being mindful of cognitive changes/brain health in themselves and their loved ones.
PHILADELPHIA, February 2, 2023 — The Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter—in partnership with Pinn Memorial Baptist Church, Main Line Health, University of Delaware College of Health Sciences, Delaware Center for Cognitive Aging Research, Widener University, and The Amazing Zoe—is hosting a virtual program to raise awareness around caregiving and the strength of caregivers in communities of color. During this two-hour program, volunteers and guest speakers will come together on screen to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and inform and educate those from all corners of the community.
The virtual event, Caregiver Conversations: Stories & Voices from Communities of Color—which takes place on Thursday, February 23, 2023—includes a caregiver panel, discussions of resources and information available from the Alzheimer's Association and the impact of caregiving across the sandwich generation, as well as a heart healthy meals overview and question-and-answer session with speakers.
"Communities of color are twice as likely to develop dementia. We need to expand the dialogue about Alzheimer's disease within these communities so that people have equitable access to information, care, and cutting-edge research trials while feeling welcomed and empowered to access those resources," said Dr. Christopher Martens, Director of the Delaware Center for Cognitive Aging Research.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association
2021 Facts and Figures report, older Black Americans are twice as likely and Hispanics are one and a half times as likely to have Alzheimer’s or dementia as compared to their white counterparts. And while current research on racial disparities in caregiving for older people is extremely limited, studies have found that Black caregivers are more likely to provide more than 40 hours of care per week as compared to White caregivers. and are also more likely to care for someone with dementia. These same caregivers have been found to be nearly 70 percent less likely to use respite services than white caregivers; and Hispanic, Black, and Asian Americans often report greater care demands, less outside help/formal service use, and greater depression when compared with White caregivers.
“In addition to the disproportionate impact of this disease in communities of color, we also know that approximately one-quarter of dementia caregivers are in the ‘sandwich generation,’ meaning they care not only for an aging parent, but also for children under age 18,” said Kristina Prendergast, Manager of Programs, Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter. “With all of this in mind, providing resources, information and support, and creating a safe space for discussion and story sharing, is paramount as we work to reduce stigma and ensure those impacted by the disease are not alone.”
For more information and to register to attend this virtual program—on Thursday, February 23, 2023 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.—visit
https://tinyurl.com/CGconversations223 or call the Alzheimer’s Association 2/47 Helpline at 800.272.3900.
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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. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia.™ For more information, visit www.alz.org or call the 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.