scholarly journals Partnering with Middle Eastern/Arab American and Latino Immigrant Communities to Increase Participation in Alzheimer’s Disease Research

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Suppl) ◽  
pp. 765-774
Author(s):  
Kristine J. Ajrouch ◽  
Irving E. Vega ◽  
Toni C. Antonucci ◽  
Wassim Tarraf ◽  
Noah J. Webster ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Middle Eastern ◽  
State Level ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Arab Americans ◽  
Community Advisory Board ◽  
Arab American ◽  
Education Levels ◽  
Middle Eastern Arab

Purpose: Recruitment and retention of US ethnic groups traditionally underrepresented in research continues to pose challenges. The Michigan Center for Contextual Factors in Alzheimer’s Disease (MCCFAD) engages with two underserved immigrant commu­nities in Michigan – Middle Eastern/Arab Americans in metro-Detroit and Latinos in the Grand Rapids area – to recruit and retain two Participant Resource Pools (PRP).Procedures: We adapt an existing commu­nity-based participatory research (CBPR) approach to recruit Middle Eastern/Arab American and Latino adults of all ages for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (ADRD) research. Using American Commu­nity Survey (2014-2018) data, we compare socio-demographic characteristics of Middle Eastern/Arab Americans and Latinos living in Michigan to our PRPs. Assessment tools and community advisory board feedback identified missteps and culturally sensitive solutions.Main Findings: In the first year of MCCFAD activities, 100 Middle Eastern/ Arab Americans and 117 Latinos joined the MCCFAD PRPs. Comparisons to state-level data showed that PRP participants were on average older and more likely to be female than the Middle Eastern/Arab American and Latino populations in Michigan. Further, Middle Eastern/Arab Americans in the PRP reported higher education levels while Latinos reported lower education levels than their respective statewide populations. Community partnerships/feedback identi­fied the importance of connecting with community leaders, attending to matters of within-group diversity, as well as language and semantics.Conclusion: Partnership with communities to develop culturally targeted and sensitive community health events can fill a signifi­cant gap in addressing ADRD health dispari­ties by establishing sustainable relationships to increase participation in ADRD research. Ethn Dis. 2020;30(Suppl 2):765-774; doi:10.18865/ed.30.S2.765

scholarly journals Arab American Cognitive Aging: Opportunities for Advancing Research on Alzheimer’s Disease Disparities

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristine J Ajrouch ◽  
Laura B Zahodne ◽  
Toni C Antonucci
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Ethnic Group ◽  
Cognitive Aging ◽  
The United States ◽  
Arab Americans ◽  
Arab American ◽  
Cognitive Health ◽  
Ethnic Factors ◽  
Immigration And Religion

Abstract Background and Objectives This article highlights the dearth of and need for research on Arab American cognitive aging. We propose that studying cognitive health issues among older Arab Americans provides an innovative opportunity to advance knowledge about causes and consequences of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) disparities and refine understanding of factors linked to immigrant health in the United States. Research Design and Methods Demographic information is provided on Arab Americans, who are on the cusp of being recognized by the U.S. government as a distinct ethnic group separate from whites. In the tradition of minority aging, we present a broad review of specific issues in the contemporary case of Arab Americans. Results We detail how including Arab Americans provides unique information on the importance of: (i) extending racial/ethnic group comparisons; (ii) linking social experiences to late-life cognitive health; and (iii) incorporating ethnic factors related to immigration and religion in the study of AD disparities. Discussion and Implications Studying Arab American cognitive aging provides an innovative opportunity to more fully delineate factors that create and sustain health disparities, with special insights into both causes and consequences.

scholarly journals Perceived stress and depressive symptoms not neuropsychiatric symptoms predict caregiver burden in Alzheimer’s disease: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manee Pinyopornpanish ◽  
Kanokporn Pinyopornpanish ◽  
Atiwat Soontornpun ◽  
Surat Tanprawate ◽  
Angkana Nadsasarn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Caregiver Burden ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract Background Caregiver burden affects the caregiver’s health and is related to the quality of care received by patients. This study aimed to determine the extent to which caregivers feel burdened when caring for patients with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and to investigate the predictors for caregiving burden. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted. One hundred two caregivers of patients with AD at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, a tertiary care hospital, were recruited. Assessment tools included the perceived stress scale (stress), PHQ-9 (depressive symptoms), Zarit Burden Interview-12 (burden), Clinical Dementia Rating (disease severity), Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaires (neuropsychiatric symptoms), and Barthel Activities Daily Living Index (dependency). The mediation analysis model was used to determine any associations. Results A higher level of severity of neuropsychiatric symptoms (r = 0.37, p < 0.01), higher level of perceived stress (r = 0.57, p < 0.01), and higher level of depressive symptoms (r = 0.54, p < 0.01) were related to a higher level of caregiver burden. The direct effect of neuropsychiatric symptoms on caregiver burden was fully mediated by perceived stress and depressive symptoms (r = 0.13, p = 0.177), rendering an increase of 46% of variance in caregiver burden by this parallel mediation model. The significant indirect effect of neuropsychiatric symptoms by these two mediators was (r = 0.21, p = 0.001). Conclusion Caregiver burden is associated with patients’ neuropsychiatric symptoms indirectly through the caregiver’s depressive symptoms and perception of stress. Early detection and provision of appropriate interventions and skills to manage stress and depression could be useful in reducing and preventing caregiver burden.

Olfactory disturbances in ageing with and without dementia: towards new diagnostic tools

2017 ◽  
Vol 131 (7) ◽  
pp. 572-579 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Gros ◽  
V Manera ◽  
C A De March ◽  
N Guevara ◽  
A König ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Neurodegenerative Disorders ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Olfactory Disorder ◽  
Ageing Populations

AbstractBackground:Olfactory disorders increase with age and often affect elderly people who have pre-dementia or dementia. Despite the frequent occurrence of olfactory changes at the early stages of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, olfactory disorders are rarely assessed in daily clinical practice, mainly due to a lack of standardised assessment tools. The aims of this review were to (1) summarise the existing literature on olfactory disorders in ageing populations and patients with neurodegenerative disorders; (2) present the strengths and weaknesses of current olfactory disorder assessment tools; and (3) discuss the benefits of developing specific olfactory tests for neurodegenerative diseases.Methods:A systematic review was performed of literature published between 2000 and 2015 addressing olfactory disorders in elderly people with or without Alzheimer's disease or other related disorders to identify the main tools currently used for olfactory disorder assessment.Results:Olfactory disorder assessment is a promising method for improving both the early and differential diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. However, the current lack of consensus on which tests should be used does not permit the consistent integration of olfactory disorder assessment into clinical settings.Conclusion:Otolaryngologists are encouraged to use olfactory tests in older adults to help predict the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Olfactory tests should be specifically adapted to assess olfactory disorders in Alzheimer's disease patients.

scholarly journals Analysis the Link between Periodontal Diseases and Alzheimer’s Disease: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (17) ◽  
pp. 9312
Author(s):  
Leslie Borsa ◽  
Margaux Dubois ◽  
Guillaume Sacco ◽  
Laurence Lupi
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Periodontal Disease ◽  
Periodontal Diseases ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
The Cochrane Library

The hypothesis of an infectious connection from the oro-pharyngeal sphere to the brain underlines the interest in analyzing the link between periodontal disease and Alzheimer’s disease. The aim of this systematic review was to examine the link between Alzheimer’s disease and periodontal disease in patients aged 65 and over. Databases (PubMed (MEDLINE), the Cochrane Library, and Embase) were analyzed for relevant references up to 21 June 2021. The authors independently selected the studies and extracted the data. The quality of included studies was checked using the National Institutes of Health’s quality assessment tools. Five studies were included. The selected studies described in their results an increase in F. nucleatum in Alzheimer’s disease patients (adjusted p = 0.02), and its incidence was linked to C. rectus and P. gingivalis (adjusted HR = 1.22 (1.04–1.43), p = 0.012) as well as A. naeslundii (crude HR = 2.0 (1.1–3.8)). The presence of periodontitis at baseline was associated with a six-fold increase in the rate of cognitive decline over a 6-month follow-up period (ADAS-Cog mean change = 2.9 ± 6.6). The current review suggests an association between periodontal disease and Alzheimer’s disease. The treatment of periodontal disease could be a way to explore Alzheimer’s disease prevention.

scholarly journals Speaking of Dementia: How to Refer to Dementia in Racial-Ethnic Minority Community-Facing Communications

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 463-463
Author(s):  
Zachary Baker ◽  
Tetyana Shippee ◽  
Joseph Gaugler
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
American Indians ◽  
Academic Writing ◽  
Memory Loss ◽  
Lewy Bodies ◽  
African Immigrants ◽  
Community Advisory Board ◽  
Minority Community ◽  
Fitting In

Abstract What do you call “dementia”? In academic writing, researchers often chose the inclusive, “Alzheimer’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease Related Dementias (AD/ADRD)”. When referring to the people experiencing dementia, the person-centered language: “persons living with dementia (PLWD)” is preferred. This is a welcome departure from the antiquated disease-centered language of “dementia patients” or “the demented”. Still, AD/ADRD and PLWD may be less fitting in community-facing education or participant recruitment. For instance, community-facing materials may benefit from choosing terms like “memory loss”, “issues related to memory or aging”, or “changes in ability, behavior, or judgment”. In this symposium we present a range of viewpoints focused on how to refer to “dementia” in community-facing materials/conversations. These viewpoints include those of several racial and ethnic groups (i.e., African Americans, African Immigrants, American Indians, Asians, Hispanics/Latinos/as/x/e, and Whites). We also include viewpoints from people interfacing with many different diseases that cause dementia (i.e., Alzheimer’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, Early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease dementia) because of the different manifestations of dementia that can arise from those diseases. Viewpoints were gathered through 1) a nation-wide community advisory board, 2) community conversations with African Immigrants, 3) a national effort to increase the representation of Hispanics/Latinos/as/x/e PLWD in AD/ADRD research, and 4) eight community projects exploring the African American AD/ADRD experience. These talks will present possible terms to use within groups, considerations to increase inclusiveness, issues with translation into native languages, considerations surrounding symptoms that may be most recognizable to community members, and stigmatized terminology.

From Invisible to Hypervisibility: Self-labeling among Middle Eastern/Arab Americans

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Germine H. Awad ◽  
Bianca Jones ◽  
Mercedes Martinez ◽  
Bita Razavi
Keyword(s):  
Middle Eastern ◽  
Arab Americans ◽  
Middle Eastern Arab

Assessment of Basic Knowledge About Alzheimer’s Disease Among Older Rural Residents: A Pilot Test of a New Measure

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 519-548 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Kirk Wiese ◽  
Christine L. Williams ◽  
Ruth Tappen ◽  
David Newman ◽  
Monica Rosselli
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Underserved Populations ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Basic Knowledge ◽  
Rural Populations ◽  
Validity Study ◽  
Cognitive Interviews ◽  
Content Domain ◽  
Education Levels

Background and Purpose: Underserved rural populations face a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), yet studies investigating AD knowledge in this population are lacking. The purpose of this research was to develop an AD basic knowledge measure that is appropriate for use with underserved populations. Method: A content domain map, content validity index, and cognitive interviews were used in developing the first version of the basic knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease (BKAD; Study 1). Reliability and validity of the measure in this descriptive study were examined using Rasch modeling and tests for construct, concurrent, and discriminate validity (Study 2). Multiple regression was employed to examine AD knowledge predictors. Results: Findings included that the BKAD instrument discriminated well between persons with varied education levels. Psychometric analysis yielded important information to guide revision of the BKAD measure. Conclusion: The BKAD measure shows promise in meeting the need for a culturally relevant measure to assess basic Alzheimer’s disease knowledge in underserved rural populations.

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