Chinese Outreach

Alzheimer’s disease is not openly talked about in the Chinese community, believing it is a form of mental illness with an associated stigma. Some Chinese believe that people with Alzheimer’s disease are suffering retributions of what they did wrong in a past life. Still others think dementia is a normal part of the aging process and there is nothing that can be done about it. Caregivers in their 20s and 30s, who are more acculturated into American society, are having the same difficulty as I am in getting through to parents, grandparents and other family members about Alzheimer’s disease. It is extremely stressful to care for people with Alzheimer’s without support from others. Yet, even well-educated caregivers who have access to community resources are hesitant to seek help.

To overcome some of the aforementioned difficulties, I have been reaching out to the Chinese community through the media, community-based presentations, health fairs and mailings. I am very grateful to my colleagues for sharing their knowledge and teaching me the skills to do my job. I am also appreciative of the support from community service providers for their encouragement, suggestions and guidance. I have confidence to carry out the mission of the Alzheimer’s Association, New York City Chapter.

The Chapter offers Chinese-language dementia care training to home care workers. Care consultation by social workers is also available in the Chinese language. We are in the process of planning Chinese-language seminars, trainings and support groups. We also intend to partner with other organizations in the delivery of our services.

We are hopeful that through our efforts, the Chinese community will change their perception of Alzheimer’s disease and begin to seek help as needed. If we are successful, the next generation of caregivers will face fewer barriers to help those who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and to improve the quality of their lives.

Please contact me at 646-744-2951 or by e-mail at fllau@alznyc.org for additional information and assistance.

— Fai Lin Lau, MSW
Manager, Chinese Outreach

African-American Outreach

TAfrican-American outreach has learned of an important new study being conducted by Jennifer J. Manly, PhD, at Columbia University Medical Center, GH Sergievsky Center and Taub Institute for Research in Alzheimer’s Disease. Previously, I queried readers on their thoughts and considerations about research involvement. Scientists and researchers need to know more about African-Americans as it pertains to this disease. We have not participated in numbers that are able to help researchers learn about our particular needs. Dr. Manly writes:

Past research has found that African-Americans are at higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease than Caucasians. The reason for this is not yet known. However, because African-Americans suffer from diseases of the heart, brain, and blood vessels more than Caucasians, some have suggested that cardiovascular and cerebrovascular conditions explain racial differences in risk for Alzheimer’s disease. A new study taking place at Columbia University Medical Center aims to understand more about genetic and vascular factors that are risks for Alzheimer’s disease among African-Americans. The study, sponsored by the National Institute on Aging, is a collaboration with researchers at the University of Miami, North Carolina A&T University, and Vanderbilt University, and will also be enrolling participants from the areas surrounding those institutions. Dr. Manly, a neuropsychologist with expertise in the relationship between cultural background and performance on cognitive measures, is leading the study.

If you are African-American and age 60 or older, you may be eligible to participate. People without memory problems are needed for the study as well as people with memory problems. The study includes an interview that will ask questions about health, cultural, and educational experiences. Tests of memory, problem solving, language, drawing and other thinking skills are given. At the time of the interview a small sample of blood will be drawn in order to gather genetic information as well as information about cardiovascular health. Participants are paid $50 after the interview and reimbursed for any travel expenses. Some participants are eligible for a Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI) of the brain.

If you are interested or have questions, please contact Dr. Manly’s research staff at 212-305-1893.

African-American Outreach is interested in hearing from you. Please contact me at 646-744-2922 or by
e-mail at rirving@alznyc.org if you are a member of or know organizations where we could speak about
Alzheimer’s disease and the resources available at the NYC Chapter.

— Rosemary Irving, LCSW
Manager, African-American Outreach

Latino Outreach

As the end of 2008 approaches, we are happy to share some of the many accomplishments that took place this year in Latino Outreach:

• Outreach to the Latino community increased greatly, making our services available to many more Latino families in need of guidance;
• The expansion of the En Español Newsletter from 8 pages in the English newsletter to 24 pages in a separate publication;
• Relationships with Hispanic Consulates in New York were formed and developed expanding our capacity to serve the immigrant community;
• The number of Spanish-language support groups increased to 7 and is expected to continue growing;
• Stronger relations with other organizations serving the Latino community at the local, national and
  international levels;
• We expanded our educational calendar by offering more seminars in Spanish. New programs include:
  Legal & Financial Planning, and Immigration;
• With the help of a grant from Eisai Inc. and Pfizer Inc, we were able to develop a cycle of Family
  Caregiver Workshops in Spanish;
• The dissemination of information was expanded through local politicians’ offices and churches;
• We achieved greater exposure of our programs and services in the Hispanic media;
• More people from the Latino community attended the Early Stage Memory Disorders Forum and
  Memory Walk 2008.

We hope that in the coming years, our contribution to the quality of life of Latino families affected by dementia will continue to grow.

Please feel free to contact me at 646-744-2949 or by e-mail if you need assistance or additional information. Also, if you would like to receive the Chapter’s En Español Boletín, please contact our 24-hour Helpline at 800-272-3900 or visit www.alznyc.org/espanol to sign up for our mailing list.

On behalf of Latino Outreach we send the best wishes to all our readers as this year ends and we prepare to receive the New Year with enthusiasm and hope!

Visit our Winter 2008 newsletter En Español.

— Licet Valois V., MSW, MPS
Manager, Latino Outreach

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