Alzheimer's Association Fifth Annual African American Caregivers Forum

Rowena Rye, Alzheimer's Association

"Remembering the Legacy of Love"

The Alzheimer's Association 2010 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures includes a special report on race, ethnicity and Alzheimer's disease. The report is published each year by the Alzheimer’s Association and provides a statistical resource for U.S. data related to Alzheimer's disease, the most common type of dementia, as well as other dementias.

What is most striking about this year's report is the projected growth in the numbers of Americans expected to develop Alzheimer's disease.  Currently, 5.3 million have Alzheimer's or a related dementia. In Washington State, that number is 110,000. The report anticipates that this number will double by 2025 and triple by 2050. At present, someone in the U.S. develops Alzheimer's every 70 seconds.

And for every person with dementia, there are the unpaid caregivers: family, friends and neighbors who all contribute to the care and support of someone with dementia. In Washington State, that number is currently 204,000.

According to the special report, older African-Americans are two times more likely than whites to have Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. When differences between racial and ethnic groups are found, it is sometimes assumed that the difference must be due to genetic factors, but no known genetic factors can account for the difference in prevalence of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias among whites and African-Americans. (The special report also looked at the prevalence of Alzheimer's and related dementias in the Hispanic community.)

On the other hand, conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes, both of which are known risk factors for Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, are more common in older African-Americans and Hispanics than in older whites, and probably account for some of the differences in prevalence of dementias among these groups. 

Connie Thompson

This prevalence is a large part of why the Alzheimer's Association organizes, and Aging and Disability Services of Seattle/King County helps underwrite, the African American Caregivers Forum. This year's theme is Remembering the Legacy of Love. The event  will be held at a new location (see details below) to accommodate the growing number of caregivers who will attend this year's forum.

This year's keynote speaker is Seattle broadcast veteran Connie Thompson of KOMO 4 News. No stranger to the challenges faced by caregivers, for the past several years Connie and her sisters have been providing emotional, social and physical support for their mother in her daily struggle with dementia. 
 
Other forum highlights include:

• George Dicks, Geriatric Mental Health Practitioner at Harborview Medical Center, and member of the Aging and Disability Services Advisory Council, presenting on "Coping with Behavioral Symptoms of Dementia"
• LeNora Hughes, accomplished consultant, advocate, educator and activity therapist, sharing "In-Home Activities & Alzheimer's Disease: An Integral Part of Caring"
• Lunch will be provided and includes a Caregivers Panel Discussion
• Dr. James Leverenz from the University of Washington Alzheimer's Disease Research Center will address "Alzheimer's Research and African Americans—Why It's Important; Why Get Involved."
• Pastor Gwendolyn Coates will conclude the forum with a benediction.

Visit the Alzheimer's Association website for more information and to register online.

WHEN:  November 20, 2010
WHERE: The DoubleTree Guest Suites, 16500 Southcenter Parkway, Tukwila, WA  98188
COST: Free-of-charge, but early registration is encouraged. Breakfast and lunch are included.

If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities, need transportation, or are interested in arranging respite care the day of the event, contact Rowena Rye, Director Community Resources, at (206) 529-3866 or Rowena.Rye@alz.org.

To read the Alzheimer's Association 2010 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, please visit our website at www.alzwa.org.