September is World Alzheimer’s Month, dedicated to the global education, discussion, and awareness of how the disease affects the lives of many individuals and their loved ones. Alzheimer’s is one of the main causes of dementia, which slowly deteriorates a person’s state of mind, where they can find themselves losing their ability to function as time progresses.

In the United States, older Black/African American as well as Hispanic individuals often do not get the proper treatment and attention due to medical disparities when it comes to early signs of the progressive disease. These groups of people tend to deal with a heightened sense of confusion, depression, anxiety, and increased agitation. Due to this delay in treatment, the patient and those caring for them will find that their symptoms may progress faster than the average non-minority individual. 

Change, depending on how a person handles it, can be processed in a multitude of ways. However, seeing change within a beloved family member is not short of an easy process. When dealing with a loved one going through the early stages of dementia, it is essential to prepare oneself for these shifts in their beloved character. It is important to provide support to your loved one, knowing that they won’t be alone in times of change and confusion, and to not ignore these changes or completely brush them off if not deemed a serious matter by a medical professional or otherwise. 

It’s quite simple to go straight to a web browser and search for the resources that you seek, but finding the answers you need may not be as straightforward of a process. You may find answers that do not pertain to your situation, be misled with information of a situation that is far from yours, or not even relate to what certain medical websites feed you.

Visiting TalkAboutAlz.org will give you a compilation of resources that cater to Black/African American and Hispanic communities — with articles, infographics, references, and courses of action for patient care. This is a resource that takes a difficult and cautious discussion and makes it easier to approach without judgement. Being able to culturally connect to a community, educate and prepare, and navigate health equity through an all-in-one reference can take a weight off your shoulders. It can feel foreign and isolating, but seeking guidance from reliable sources is crucial to empower all individuals affected by Alzheimer’s.

To learn more, visit TalkAboutAlz.org. You and your loved one are not alone in this journey, and seeking guidance is never a sign of weakness.