USA2 SPOTLIGHT

A May 14, 2020 KU Medical Center article highlighted the University of Kansas Alzheimer's Disease Center's Outreach, Recruitment and Education Core, which won the 2020 University of Kansas Medical Center Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award. According to UsAgainstAlzheimer's Chief of Staff Jason Resendez, a partner of the KU ADC, and co-convener of Kansas City Alzheimer's Disease Disparities Engagement Network, "Latino/as and African Americans have higher risks of Alzheimer's disease but are too often excluded in research or clinical trials, and our collaboration with the University of Kansas Alzheimer's Disease Center has been critical to advancing the field of health equity in Alzheimer's research."

A May 13, 2020 Being Patient article spotlighted new research from UsAgainstAlzheimer’s A-LIST on the effects of coronavirus on the Alzheimer’s/dementia community. The crisis is heightening the stress and isolation that caregivers already feel. Some adult day care centers are offering virtual services in response to shelter-in-place orders. “According to Dale Atkins, caregivers should take care of themselves and be mindful of the things they do each day—perhaps sleep a little longer or chat with a friend on the phone. Listen to a podcast. As several Being Patient readers commented on Facebook, even going for a drive on a beautiful road and listening to music can serve as a moment to oneself.”

A May 11, 2020 Newsweek article addressed the intersection of coronavirus, minority communities, and the aging population. UsAgainstAlzheimer’s co-signed a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar asking for increased funding in response to the crisis. "From communities of color to individuals living with dementia and disabilities, the impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable Americans is far reaching. This reality deserves deeper action from HHS, including multiple funding opportunities for community-based organizations to help mitigate the devastation triggered by COVID19,” said LatinosAgainstAlzheimer's lead Jason Resendez.

MUST READS

A May 16, 2020 ABC News article spotlighted the plight of Alzheimer’s caregivers in the age of COVID-19. Many cannot visit their loved ones in senior facilities and worry for their wellbeing. According to the article, “With nearly half of all long-term care facility residents living with Alzheimer's or dementia, individuals with the disease have become one of the most disproportionately impacted groups from COVID-19 in the country. As coronavirus-related deaths continue to climb, some observers have raised alarms that not enough is being done to protect Alzheimer's and dementia patients and those in long-term care facilities.”