(NAPSA)—When it comes to Alzheimer’s disease, one of the first steps toward early detection and better care is awareness. The Alzheimer’s Association recently found that the Latino community, a group that is one and 1% times more likely to have the disease than non-Hispanic whites, lacks that critical awareness. In a survey funded by MetLife Foundation, as many as 64 per- cent of Hispanic respondents agreed their community is not sufficiently aware of the condition. While more than 90 percent knew Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disease that causes memory loss, problems with thinking and behavior, only half knew it is fatal. Fortunately, the findings also showed a desire to learn more. In response, the Alzheimer’s Association created a Spanish-language educational workshop to help people with the disease and their fam- ilies explore the warning signs of Alzheimer’s. The workshop’s goal is to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s within the Hispanic community and provide muchneeded information to families struggling to recognize the disease. “Alzheimer’s disease is not normal aging. It is a complex brain disease that impacts much more than memory,” said Janis Robinson, Director of Diversity and Strategic Collaborations at the Alzheimer’s Association. “Knowing the warning signs of Alzheimer’s is critical to early detection and receiving the best ve The more you wr know about Alzheimer’s disease, the better able you'll be to recognize it and take action. care possible.” The workshop, entitled “Know the 10 Signs,” discusses the following 10 Warnings Signs of Alzheimer’s: 1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life. 2. Challenges in planning or solving problems. 3. Difficulty completing famil- iar tasks at home, at work or at leisure. 4, Confusion with time or place. 5. Trouble understanding visual imagesandspatial relationships. 6. New problems with words in speakingor writing. 7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps. 8. Decreased or poor judgment. 9. Withdrawal from work or social activities. 10. Mood and personality changes. Learn More For more information on the 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s or to find a local Alzheimer’s Association chapter, visit www. alz.org/espanol.
