The Alzheimer’s Association, Long Island Chapter invites the community to its Fifth Annual Hispanic/Latinx Symposium on Friday, Oct. 7. The free symposium features experts from the Hispanic/Latinx community sharing information on Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
The featured speakers are: Dr. Jesus Lehi Garcia, clinical assistant professor of medicine at NYU Langone Long Island School of Medicine, and Miguel Arce Rentería, assistant professor of neuropsychology, Columbia University Medical Center.
Garcia will present on memory loss and warning signs of Alzheimer’s, with a focus on what’s normal aging and what might be a sign of a cognitive issue. Rentería’s presentation will cover factors that can lower your risk for Alzheimer’s, including bilingualism.
Hispanic and Latinx Americans are the fastest-growing population in the United States. They are also at greater risk for developing Alzheimer’s than older white Americans.
• Older Hispanic and Latinx Americans are more likely, on a per-capita basis, than older white people to have Alzheimer’s or other dementias.
o Specifically, 14.0% of Hispanic Americans age 65 and older have Alzheimer’s dementia compared with 10% of white older adults.
o Despite having an increased risk, Hispanic and Latinx Americans are underrepresented in clinical trials, making up fewer than 7% of all clinical trial participants.
Kate Anastasia, director of programs at the Alzheimer’s Association, says: “Our goal is to educate Hispanic and Latinx people in Long Island about Alzheimer’s, their risks and ways to reduce them while highlighting local experts. We also want to share resources available in English and Spanish.”
Alzheimer’s Association 5th Annual Hispanic Symposium
When: Friday, October 7, 8:30 a.m. – noon
Where: Alzheimer’s Association, 300 Broadhollow Rd., Conference Room A, Melville, NY 11747
Cost: Free, but registration is required.
The symposium is open to everyone, including caregivers and healthcare professionals, and includes light refreshments. It is conducted in English, but simultaneous interpretation into Spanish is available by request. To register, visit alz.org/longisland or call the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.