Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disease that destroys memory and other important mental functions. It's the most common cause of dementia — a group of brain disorders that results in the loss of intellectual and social skills.
Growing Impact of Alzheimer’s
People with AD
Cost of Care
LATINO IMPACT
Latinos are disproportionately represented in the older age groups most at risk of Alzheimer’s
Population Growth of Latinos 65+
224%
65% 2008
2030 Latino
Non-Latino Whites
Latinos face a higher risk of Alzheimer's disease because they are living longer and have higher rates of matabolic risk factors, including: Diabetes
High cholesterol High blood pressure
The number of Latino older adults suffering from Alzheimer’s and related dementias could increase by more than 550 percent by 2050, from approximately 200,000 today to as many as 1.3 million.
550%
More than one in five Latino caregivers report caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or a related mental condition…1.8 million across the country and growing
The LatinosAgainstAlzheimer’s Coalition is t he nat ion’s first -ever nat ional coalit ion of Hispanic organizat ions dedicat ed t o raising awareness of Alzheimer’s disease wit hin t he Lat ino communit y. The Lat ino Net work provides member organizat ions capacit y, expert ise, and opport unit ies t o leverage t heir unique asset s in t he fight against Alzheimer’s in t he Lat ino communit y.
Convening, Educating, and Empowering Latino Organizations and Advocates
Tech Potential
Types of technology to help older adults maintain independence and manage conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia include: Alarms and sensors for independence and safety • Fall detectors & alerts • Bed sensors to help spouses and caregivers monitor
Safer walking technology • Detectors to help prevent unaccompanied wandering Medication dispensers • Apps and sensors to help individuals adhere to medicine routines
Case Study: Health e-Brain Study Health e-Brain Study •
• •
Online study that assesses the cognitive health of caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias, compared with that of the general population using Lumosity’s Brain Performance Test (BPT), a web-based cognition assessment. Participants complete a demographic survey (giving information about age, gender, education, and caregiving role) and take a brain performance test developed by Goal: help scientists understand how caregivers' stress levels, experiences, and other lifestyle factors impact brain performance.
Results
• Overall, caregivers were found to have performed worse on three of the five subtests within the BPT in comparison to the non-caregivers, demonstrating that, in general, caregiving has a negative effect on cognition.
Case Study: CareEcosystem The UCSF and UNMC Dementia Care Ecosystem: Using Innovative Technologies to Personalize and Deliver Coordinated Dementia Care • • •
•
•
•
Most dementia care today is crisis-oriented, intermittent and impersonal. The Care Ecosystem is a proactive model that emphasizes coordinated, continuous, and personalized care and aims to improve health and satisfaction for patients and their caregivers. The intervention tries to reduce avoidable emergency room visits and hospitalizations, and delay entry into a nursing home. It aims to support patients and their caregivers with decision-making, medications, caregiver support, online education, and, for a subset of patients, remote monitoring with smartphones, watches, and home sensors. This project is funded by a 3-year, $10 million Health Care Innovations Award from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Recruiting till 2017
Examples:
• SmartThings - a DIY home automation system that connects sensors and smart devices with a wireless hub. Helps caregivers monitor when/if medication is taken. • Live!y and BeClose - offers senior-specific accessories such as bed, toilet and pillbox sensors. • Tempo - a wristband for seniors that picks up on lapses in routine or changes in gait that might indicate mental or physical deterioration.
