PHOENIX (AZFamily) — The annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s Disease will be held this weekend in downtown Phoenix. Arizona Families is once again a proud sponsor, helping to raise funds and awareness for research and support for Arizona families.
The South and Southwest have the highest rates of increase in Alzheimer’s disease in the country.
Attending this weekend is a personal mission for the ASU student, who is dedicated to his Ph.D. To fight this relentless disease.
Alma Manzo is a community educator for the Alzheimer’s Association Desert Southwest Chapter and a fourth-year doctoral student. student at Arizona State University Edson College of Nursing & Health Innovation.
She just presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Philadelphia, where she discussed navigating cultural nuances and understanding and addressing the challenges of Latinx caregivers.
“In the Latinx community, it’s incredibly difficult to get a diagnosis,” Manzo said.
According to a 2016 USC study, Latinos are the largest and youngest ethnic minority group in the United States. As we age, doctors need to prepare for a wave of Alzheimer’s disease diagnoses.
Experts predict that the number of Latinos diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease will increase by 832% by 2060.
Experts predict 832% increase in Latinos diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease by 2060 (Arizona family)
“That’s why it’s so important to get educated to help the Latino community,” Manzo said.
Manzo worked for a year in home care for dementia patients. Although she has no personal family history, she knows that the Hispanic community has unique health care challenges, from income and accessibility to language barriers and cultural bias.
“Sometimes we feel like we’re a burden, or that we’re embarrassed, but it’s more common than you think, and all our neighbors, friends, and family are… , which can be of great help,” Manzo said.
She found that these cultural norms can also increase the burden on caregivers.
“They are sometimes known as hidden patients. For Latinos, cultural values are usually about staying within the family and keeping caregivers at home, so these different formal care resources They don’t reach out too far to get it,” Manzo said.
Instead of nursing homes or hired help, Manzo says too many Latino families are left unconnected and she doesn’t want them to feel alone.
That’s why this weekend she will participate in the annual Phoenix Walk to End Alzheimer’s Disease, an effort to spread outreach and awareness.
“My message is there are a lot of resources out there,” Manzo said.
The Alzheimer’s Association has a 24/7 help hotline that keeps families connected with resources.
From clinical research trials to prevention and treatment options, they continue to fight tirelessly for cures.
Join Arizona families on Saturday’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s Disease.
Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. at Wesley Bolin Plaza in downtown Phoenix.
Click/tap here to learn more and register.
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