Alzheimer’s Association increases outreach to Latino community in Santa Barbara County

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. – Alzheimer’s currently affects millions nationwide.
{Janelle BoeschCommunications manager Alzheimer’s Association}

"There’s over 6.7 million Americans living with the disease ... over 11 million people providing care. We’re seeing that impact in our community here," said communications manager Janelle Boesch of the Alzheimer's Association in Santa Barbara.

The Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara is bringing Alzheimer’s education and support to the Latino Community by providing a $30,000 grant to the local chapter.

"Hispanic Americans is 1.5 times more likely to be living with Alzheimer’s than caucasian Americans. They’re also more likely to have a missed diagnosis of the disease. So we’re really trying to push awareness as well as support," said Boesch.

The Alzheimer’s Association is reaching Latinos through the Promotores Network.

The Spanish-speaking Promotores help vulnerable and low income Latinos get access to health services and important health education.

"The Promotores is very busy doing a lot of advocacy … a lot of preventions … a lot of raising their voices and also a lot of giving hope to those families," said coordinator Josefa Rios of the Santa Barbara County Promotores Network.

"Many Latino families don’t know that we exist. That’s something we want to address," said community engagement manager Sergio Cendejas of the Alzheimer's Association.

The Alzheimer’s association is currently expanding its outreach  to over 150 Spanish speaking families.

"It’s getting pretty busy right now. We have a big generation of baby boomers. People are aging … we are predicting more people will have dementia in the following years," said Cendejas.

24 community health workers at the network have received specialized training to help Latino neighbors.

"We want everyone to know they are not alone," said Boesch.

For resources and/or more information on Alzheimer’s, click here.