April 4, 2025

Alzheimer's

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Alzheimer's
Alzheimer's
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Stan, Clarence, Barry, and the Health Chatter team chat with Patty Takawira, who leads the Aging and Healthy Communities Unit at the Minnesota Department of Health, about Alzheimer’s.

Patty works alongside a passionate team to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and related dementias, promote early detection, and support the health and wellbeing of both caregivers and individuals living with dementia. Her work is rooted in advancing health equity and ensuring that all Minnesotans have the opportunity to age with dignity, connection, and care.

Listen along as Patty Takawira shares their expertise about Alzheimer’s and aging in Minnesota.

Join the conversation at healthchatterpodcast.com

Brought to you in support of Hue-MAN, who is Creating Healthy Communities through Innovative Partnerships.

More about their work can be found at https://www.huemanpartnershipalliance.org/

Research

  • What is Alzheimer’s Disease? 
      1. Not a part of normal aging. Repeat. It’s important to hold this in mind.
      2. The most common form of dementia; causes slow decline in memory, thinking, and reasoning skills 
      3. Biological process that starts with the buildup of proteins in the brain which calls brain cell to die and over time the brain shrinks 
      4. As of November 2024, 6.9 million people (65+) in the US live with Alzehimer’s 
      5. Of the 55+ million people in the world with dementia, 60-70% have Alzheimer’s
      6. Early symptoms include forgetting recent events and/or conversations
        1. Over time, Alzheimer’s leads to serious memory loss and inability to complete daily tasks
      7. There is no cure, but medications can improve and/slow down the decline 
        1. Programs and services can help those living with the disease and their caregivers 
  • Alzheimer’s v. Dementia
      1. Dementia is not a specific disease, but an overall term that describes a group of symptoms
        1. Term includes general memory loss and other cognitive abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life 
      2. Alzheimer’s is a degenerative brain disease and the most common cause of dementia
  • 10 Early Signs & Symptoms of Alzheimer’s (and Dementia)
      1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life
      2. Challenges in planning or problem-solving
      3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks
      4. Confusion about time and/or place
      5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships 
      6. New problems with words (speaking and/or writing)
      7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
      8. Decreased or poor judgment
      9. Withdrawal from work and/or social activities
      10. Changes in mood and/or personality 
  • Disparities in Alzheimer’s 
      1. Alzheimer’s and other dementias disproportionately affect people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, and women 
      2. NIH research study from 2021 found that black participants were 35% less likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s (and other forms of dementia) compared to white participants
        1. Even though national statistics showing that black Americans are twice as likely to develop dementia compared to white Americans
        2. Demonstrates further evidence that black patients often need to present with more symptoms in order to warrant a diagnosis (compared to white patients)
        3. Black participants also had higher rates of hypertension and diabetes, which can be risk factors for Alzheimer’s and dementia
      3. 2024 study from UC Davis found that those living with dementia from minority racial and ethnic groups (specifically black americans, hispanic americans, Asian americans, and Pacific Islanders, American Indians, and Alaska natives) are less likely to receive accurate and/or timely diagnoses compared to non-Hispanic white communities 
        1. Also less likely to receive medication or use hospice care
      4. Importance of advocating for policy change, addressing systemic racism, and promoting health equity 
        1. “Ultimately, it’s critical that the best available dementia care is attainable and offered to all Americans, particularly those who are left out of novel research innovations because of their race, social standing or place of residence. To make real progress in achieving equity and closing the gaps in outcomes for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, we must do more to ensure the most promising interventions are aimed at those who need them the most.” (Ana R. Quiñones, senior author of the UC Davis study and an associate professor at Oregon Health & Science University) 
  • Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s
    1. It can be difficult to know what to say and/or do
    2. Consult available resources and guides available online (from trusted sources)
      1. Track changes in memory, learn about the signs of Alzheimer’s, consider time and place for having a conversation with the person, consult a healthcare professional, offer continued support, etc. 
    3. Person-centered care
      1. Holistics and integrated approach designed to maintain well-being and and quality of life for people with dementia 
        1. Includes elements of care, the individual, the caregiver, and family 
      2. Philosophy that recognizes individuals have unique values, personal history, and personality; each person has an equal right to dignity, respect, an to fully participate in their environment 
      3. Key points
        1. Treat the person with dignity and respect
        2. Understand their history, lifestyle, and culture
        3. Look at the situation from their perspective
        4. Provide opportunities for the person to find community and sources of support

Sources