The Pennsylvania Department of Aging hosted the 2020 Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Forum on Nov. 5, with close to 250 stakeholders participating virtually. The annual forum is convened to assess progress on issues related to ADRD, strengthen partnerships and community support, identify how healthcare systems can work collaboratively within their communities, and discuss opportunities to help advance Pennsylvania’s State Plan on ADRD.
This year’s forum focused on racial disparities and inequalities in early detection, diagnosis and treatment. It opened with messages from Gov. Tom Wolf and Secretary of Aging Robert Torres, both of whom emphasized the need to address the higher risk of Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias in ethnic communities.
“Pennsylvania’s older adult population continues to grow and become more diverse, making the theme of this forum a very timely and important subject,” said Torres. “We all need to better understand the implications of racial disparities and inequities on living with dementia so that we can work together in tackling the issues with effective interventions.”
In Pennsylvania, according to the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2020 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures Report:
– Growing evidence suggests that Alzheimer’s Disease disproportionately impacts racial/ethnic minority groups such as Latinos, African Americans and Native Americans, in part due to higher rates of risk factors such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes and cardiovascular risk
– Latinos with Alzheimer’s Disease often experience a longer delay between recognizing signs and symptoms and receiving a diagnosis
– Based on the prevalence rate, the distribution of healthcare costs, and the growth and aging of the African American population, experts expect the costs of Alzheimer’s Disease for African Americans to more than double by 2050
Lisette Carbajal spoke about the challenges she faced while caring for her father who lived with Alzheimer’s Disease.
“As a former millennial caregiver, learning to balance my personal and professional life was challenging,” she said. “Caring for my father was always my No. 1 priority. Therefore, it was important for my employer to understand my responsibility as his caregiver and provide me with the flexibility I needed to care for him.”
The Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Task Force was established in 2018, and its members represent a diverse group of individuals and organizations from across the commonwealth, including representatives from consumer advocacy groups and long-term care organizations. Jennifer Holcomb, interim personal care home administrator at Cross Keys Village in York, serves as ADRD Task Force chair.
“The Pennsylvania ADRD State Plan Task Force is on a mission to positively impact those living with a neurocognitive disorder and their caregivers,” she said. “Together, we learn of best practices and collaborate to champion the goals of the state plan with a strong emphasis on inequities and making our communities dementia-friendly.”
The ADRD Forum, the fourth such forum hosted by the Department of Aging, is held annually each November to highlight National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and the commonwealth’s progress in implementing the recommendations of the State Plan for Alzheimer’s Disease & Related Disorders.
“Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in Pennsylvania,” said Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine. “Alzheimer’s is one of many brain health issues that can affect individuals, especially our older Pennsylvanians. It is so important that people are aware of these issues and the signs and symptoms associated with them, so they can work to get the right support from their family and their healthcare providers.”
Visit aging.pa.gov for more information.
