In an ongoing effort to address the needs of, and provide support for, those in the Black community who are impacted by Alzheimer’s disease and all other dementia, the Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter along with the Delaware Ecumenical Council on Children and Families, Shiloh Baptist Church and Unity Church are partnering to co-convene a virtual Community Forum.

Community Forums, hosted by Alzheimer’s Association Chapters nationwide, are critical community assessments based on an authentic dialogue among members of the community and the Association. The goal is to learn more about the real-life experiences of community members impacted by the disease, educate the group about resources of the Association, and to learn how to engage and reach more people impacted by Alzheimer’s and dementia.

In the process of working with community partners and better serve those who live in specific areas, convening a private Community Forum is an important step in identifying needs, challenges, and service gaps. Moreover, it presents an opportunity for expanded outreach to diverse, underserved populations.

“These intimate, authentic conversations enable members of the community and representatives from the Association and its partners to have an open and candid discussion about needs of the community, gaps in services or areas of opportunity, and methods for increases awareness and/or expanding outreach,” said Kristina Prendergast, Manager, Programs for the Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter. “We most often find that when we bring together community leaders and folks from various areas of the community, specifically to discuss their needs, we can truly make improvements in our service delivery to better support and inform those impacted by Alzheimer’s and all other dementia.”

Following a Community Forum, learnings from the discussions are distilled and an action plan is created to expand awareness, education and support to the community. The Association and community partners define collaborations to address needs and gaps in outlining ways to best provide access to information and resources.

According to the 2020 census, the city of Wilmington is composed of 58 percent Black or African American residents. Supporting the need for conversations about dementia in the Black community, the Alzheimer’s Association 2021 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures showed that Older Black Americans are twice as likely to have Alzheimer’s and other dementias, but are less likely to be diagnosed than White Americans. Only 35 percent of Black Americans say that they are concerned about Alzheimer’s or dementia.

Working together, the Alzheimer’s Association and its community partners will continue to support the Black communities in Wilmington and throughout Delaware. Through this collaborative work, both organizations will increase awareness, create more opportunities to support local communities, and work together toward a world without Alzheimer’s.

About the Alzheimer’s Association
The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia—by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia™. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.