Dementia care navigators help Latino Coloradans get the support they need

Latino Americans are 1.5 times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease, a type of dementia, than white Americans, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

In Colorado, nearly a quarter of the population identifies as Hispanic or Latino, and about 11,000 of the 91,000 Coloradans aged 65 and older living with Alzheimer’s disease are Latino.

Dementia is a general term for conditions that affect memory, thinking, and daily functioning, with Alzheimer’s being the most common cause.

Many Latino individuals and families face barriers to receiving timely diagnoses, medical treatments, and coordinated care, which can delay support and worsen outcomes.

Nearly 9 in 10 Latinos also emphasize the importance of dementia care providers understanding their cultural backgrounds, as highlighted in a 2021 Alzheimer’s Association report.