Nearly 12% of Gadsden County residents over the age of 65 are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease.
Black communities are especially impacted, with one nationwide study showing 19% of Black adults age 65 and older are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, as compared to 10% of white older adults.
To better address the need in Gadsden County, on April 19 the Alzheimer’s Association will host a virtual community forum and two Brain Bus stops.
“Black communities are feeling the burden of this disease but there is a hesitancy to talk about it or ask for help,” said Audrey Coachman, program manager for the Alzheimer’s Association Central and North Florida Chapter. “The only way we can address the crisis in Gadsden County is if we take steps to understand what this disease looks like and how it impacts our loved ones.”
The virtual forum will help residents better understand Alzheimer’s and other dementia, identify ways their loved ones, and learn more about care and support resources.
To register, call (800) 272-3900.
The Alzheimer’s Association Brain Bus, an outreach initiative involving two vehicles that travel the state providing dementia education and resources to underserved communities, will make two stops in the county.
The brain bus will stop at Thomas Memorial Baptist Church, at 1001 West Washington Street, Quincy, from 10 a.m. to noon; and at the Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare Clinic, at 178 LaSalle Leffall Drive, Quincy, from 1 p.m. until 3:30 p.m.