Relieving human suffering by: (1) performing research and/or promoting education regarding the treatment of disease; (2) assisting youth who are from disadvantaged backgrounds, have troubled childhoods, have physical or mental disabilities, or experience emotional disorders; (3) addressing the concerns of the elderly; and/or (4) providing succor to humankind during time of natural or human-made disaster.
Alzheimer's Association, Illinois Chapter
Purpose of grant
Problem being addressed: Alzheimer’s disease affects people in every community—there are no boundaries with respect to gender, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, or culture. Researchers have found evidence, however, of disparity between Alzheimer’s patients and caregivers who are ethnically and racially diverse and those who are not, especially with respect to how they view the condition and the treatment and information they receive. For example, one disparity seen among some cultural groups is that they view dementia-related symptoms simply as part of the natural aging process, rather than a serious medical condition. This misperception may lead individuals from diverse communities to overlook behavioral and cognitive symptoms of dementia and, thus, become less likely to seek medical care. Researchers also found that racially and ethnically diverse groups tend to experience certain barriers to treatment, including possessing less knowledge about dementia and access to health services. Lack of knowledge and information about Alzheimer’s significantly limits opportunities for care that meets the needs of caregivers and recipients.
Project description: AA has received calls from individuals representing many ethnic and racial groups that seek information, educational programming, and support services. To meet their unique needs, AA must be able to provide education and outreach in a manner that offers solutions tailored to these groups’ ethnic, cultural, and personal needs. However, the amount of resources needed to provide direct delivery of the support that diverse audiences are seeking would be astronomical, making it economically infeasible and unrealistic to consider. Through the Cultural Partnership Program, AA will form strong, collaborative partnerships with trusted organizations working within diverse communities to provide the latest information about, and support for, Alzheimer’s disease, while also engaging these same communities in the fight against Alzheimer’s. For this project, AA will cultivate relationships with local affiliates of the association’s national priority audiences—African American, Hispanic/Latino, and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender communities.
Connection to Values: By providing education and outreach in a manner that offers solutions tailored to key partners’ ethnic, cultural, and personal needs and, further, that improves care for people age 65 or older with dementia, AA relieves human suffering through scientific research and education regarding disease and by addressing the concerns of the elderly. Furthermore, through partnerships with community–based organizations, AA will help them identify their most immediate dementia-related concerns and empower key partners to develop and deliver initiatives in their community, in their language, and in a culturally relevant context, thereby encouraging the principles of individual self-sufficiency and industry, thus also connecting to Tenet 1.
Amount of grant
$10,000.00