BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Hispanic-Americans are 1 1/2 times as likely as white Americans to have Alzheimer’s and other dementias, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
That’s why the Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley is educating its older members on the topic.
The center on Friday teamed with The Alzheimer’s Association to hold an informational event for Spanish speaking seniors. Other vendors, such as the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, also were at the session.
“It is very important for me to be on top of it and know the signs. So eventually I'm gonna end up taking care of her instead of her taking care of me. It's very heartbreaking when you see a loved one go through this because you really can't help them.”Event attendee Leonides Solivan of Hellertown
“These are issues that we sometimes see in our families, but we don't apply to ourselves,” Leonides Solivan of Hellertown, who attended the event, said.
Solivan said she wanted to learn about the information for herself, as well as her daughter, who she said already is developing dementia in her 50s following a brain injury.
“It is very important for me to be on top of it and know the signs," Solivan said. "So eventually I'm gonna end up taking care of her instead of her taking care of me.
“It's very heartbreaking when you see a loved one go through this because you really can't help them.”
'Discuss and collaborate with community members'
Ana Salazar, who co-ordinates such events for the Hispanic Center, said, "it's all about giving information to the seniors with different problems that they have.”
Salazar said language barriers often can hinder a person’s ability to get important knowledge about health care.
“The impact of Alzheimer’s and dementia in the Hispanic community is significant, and we know this disease affects not only the person diagnosed but their families, loved ones, and their communities."Melanie Smith, Alzheimer's Association Delaware Valley Chapter.
“The impact of Alzheimer’s and dementia in the Hispanic community is significant, and we know this disease affects not only the person diagnosed but their families, loved ones and their communities," said Melanie Smith, director of care and support for the Alzheimer's Association's Delaware Valley Chapter.
"We also recognize the stigma associated with Alzheimer’s in communities across the country. As we serve and support those across Pennsylvania, and those who are disproportionally impacted by this disease, it’s critical that we have an open dialogue around their needs and experiences."
Holding such community forums "allow us an opportunity to discuss and collaborate with community members in order to better provide resources, support, and information to those in our area,” Smith said.
According to the Alzheimer's Association, only 59% of Hispanic Americans are confident there is access to providers who are culturally competent.
Salazar said many of the programs at the Hispanic Center often are the only time their members can learn about these topics in their native language.
"The seniors don't know the information, especially a lot of them that are Spanish-speaking," she said. "So we have a Spanish person here giving them information in Spanish to understand, if they have any problems, what to expect."
