African American Dementia Outreach Partnership

Alzheimer’s Disease disconnects elderly people from their lives and families and leaves them lost and uncomfortable in a world they don’t understand and can’t cope with. While significant research has been done on the causes and treatments of Alzheimer’s, very little research has been done in the African-American community. On that basis, less is known about the disease in this population. Historically, African Americans have been reluctant to participate in health-related research projects or to seek treatment for family members with dementia.

The African-American Dementia Outreach Partnership, located at Kentucky Clinic North, is working to respond to these issues and to provide memory-related research programs and services for African Americans, build community awareness, and create partnerships between clinicians, researchers, and the clergy.

Headed by William R. Markesbery, M.D., with co-investigators Deborah D. Danner, Charles D. Smith, M.D. and Jo Anna Hudson in the College of Medicine, this program aims at increasing the use by African American patients of the programs and services of the UK Alzheimer's Disease Center in the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging. This initiative is particularly critical, given the increased risk of Alzheimer's to African Americans (15 to 100 percent greater than among the white cohort). The project will provide information via presentations to African American churches and community organizations, free memory checkups, training for volunteers to provide respite care and other strategies to improve the care of African-American Alzheimer's and dementia patients.

Actions and Outcomes to Date

AADOP has significantly changed dementia care for the better for African-Americans in Lexington. The community now seeks early help for memory problems and uses available programs and services. Involvement by the faith community has been crucial. The Memory Care Clinic at Kentucky Clinic North is held each Tuesday. 93% of those seen are African-American. Churches, community groups, and organizations serving those with Alzheimer’s disease are now working together. Services have expanded to other communities at community request. An additional site in Louisville has been created.

AADOP continues working with the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, the Kentucky Department of Aging and Independent Living, the Greater Kentucky and Southern Indiana Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, and several African-American churches. Beyond the clinic, over 100 presentations have been given, memory screenings are offered, support groups are functioning, conferences have been offered in Lexington and Louisville, and a skit has been developed to teach dementia’s warning signs, stress the importance of early diagnosis, increase knowledge of available services, and provide communication techniques for students and families with memory problems.

AADOP initiatives have received regional and national recognition. The program was selected by the federal Administration on Aging as one of five national models and the only one targeting African-Americans. AADOP has produced The Book of Alzheimer’s, and several states have requested copies. Florida uses the manual in their training and Texas has reproduced the manual but substituted local pictures and stories of their own. The booklet is available on the Administration on Aging’s website.

A conference in Lexington will be held in March 2008.