SEVERE HYPOGLYCAEMIA DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LONG DURATION INSULIN THERAPY AND LATE-LIFE COGNITIVE IMPAIRENT IN TYPE 2 DIABETES: THE FREMANTLE DIABETES STUDY

Abstract

(CDC), Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and the fifth leading cause of death for people ages 65 years and over. Alzheimer’s disease is a particularly serious problem for Hispanic older adults and caregivers. Latinos are 1.5 times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than non-Hispanic whites but less likely to be diagnosed. The National Hispanic Council on Aging (NHCOA) conducted a qualitative study to assess Latino older adults’ and Latino caregivers’ attitudes and knowledge about Alzheimer’s disease, as well as the challenges in caring for Latinos with Alzheimer’s. Methods: Researchers conducted 12 focus groupswith Hispanic older adults (over age 55), 13 focus groups with Latino caregivers, and 21 in-depth interviews with healthcare providers serving Hispanic older adults in Texas and Washington, D.C. Results: The study found a lack of knowledge about Alzheimer’s among Hispanic older adults and caregivers. They associate the disease with memory loss but have no other information about its complications or treatment. Some older Latinos believe people get Alzheimer’s because they think too much, are stressed out, or have personality issues. Most Latino older adults reported that they do not have health resources available to help them understand Alzheimer’s. Similarly, caregivers reported that there are very few resources available to them for caregiving. Healthcare providers were almost unanimous in declaring that there are no culturally or linguistically-appropriate Alzheimer’s resources for Latinos. Conclusions: There is a lack of knowledge about Alzheimer’s, its causes, and treatment in the Hispanic community. Many people attributed early Alzheimer’s symptoms to the aging process, mental illness, or other diseases, which ultimately delays when people decide to seek medical assistance. Even when Hispanic older adults and their caregivers seek help, there are few resources available to them. This lack of knowledge, information, and resources leaves the Hispanic community at a severe disadvantage when dealing with Alzheimer’s disease. There is a need to expand research on howAlzheimer’s affects Latino communities and increase the availability of culturally and linguistically appropriate resources for diverse populations in the United States.