Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock 79430, TX, USA; Nutritional Sciences Department, College of Human Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock 79409, TX, USA.
Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock 79430, TX, USA.
Ageing Res Rev. 2024 Jan;93:102178. doi: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102178. Epub 2023 Dec 27.
Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Alzheimer's disease-related dementias (ADRD) are the primary public health concerns in the United States and around the globe. AD/ADRD are irreversible mental illnesses that primarily impair memory and thought processes and may lead to cognitive decline among older individuals. The prevalence of AD/ADRD is higher in Native Americans, followed by African Americans and Hispanics. Increasing evidence suggests that Hispanics are the fastest-growing ethnic population in the USA and worldwide. Hispanics develop clinical symptoms of AD/ADRD and other comorbidities nearly seven years earlier than non-Hispanic whites. The consequences of AD/ADRD can be challenging for patients, their families, and caregivers. There is a significant increase in the burden of illness, primarily affecting Hispanic/Latino families. This is partly due to their strong sense of duty towards family, and it is exacerbated by the inadequacy of healthcare and community services that are culturally and linguistically suitable and responsive to their needs. With an increasing age population, low socioeconomic status, low education, high genetic predisposition to age-related conditions, unique cultural habits, and social behaviors, Hispanic Americans face a higher risk of AD/ADRD than other racial/ethnic groups. Our article highlights the status of Hispanic older adults with AD/ADRD. We also discussed the intervention to improve the quality of life in Hispanic caregivers.
阿尔茨海默病(AD)和与阿尔茨海默病相关的痴呆症(ADRD)是美国和全球主要的公共卫生关注点。AD/ADRD 是不可逆转的精神疾病,主要损害记忆和思维过程,可能导致老年人认知能力下降。AD/ADRD 在美洲原住民中更为常见,其次是非裔美国人和西班牙裔。越来越多的证据表明,西班牙裔是美国乃至全球增长最快的族裔群体。西班牙裔出现 AD/ADRD 和其他合并症的临床症状比非西班牙裔白人早近七年。AD/ADRD 的后果可能对患者、他们的家人和护理人员构成挑战。疾病负担显著增加,主要影响西班牙裔/拉丁裔家庭。这部分是由于他们对家庭的强烈责任感,而医疗保健和社区服务的不足加剧了这种情况,这些服务在文化和语言上不适合他们的需求,也不能对他们的需求做出反应。随着老年人口的增加、社会经济地位低下、教育程度低、与年龄相关的疾病遗传易感性高、独特的文化习惯和社会行为,西班牙裔美国人患 AD/ADRD 的风险高于其他种族/族裔群体。我们的文章强调了患有 AD/ADRD 的西班牙裔老年人的状况。我们还讨论了改善西班牙裔护理人员生活质量的干预措施。