Latinos' Concerns and Actions After Receiving Alzheimer's Disease Risk Estimate

Strategic Insights -

Latinos aged 40-64, who participated in the Informacion de la Enfermedad de Alzheimer para Latinos (IDEAL) Study, showed significant concerns about Alzheimer's disease (AD) after receiving a risk estimate of developing late-onset AD by age 85. This prompted them to take actions to address their concerns, including planning for a possible future with AD. According to the study, fifty-nine participants (30%) had begun planning for a future with AD, with some making changes to their retirement plans, saving more money, and investigating their social security/employee benefits.

Key Takeaways:

  • Fifty-nine participants (30%) had begun planning for a possible future with AD, showing a significant increase in proactive behavior.
  • Participants' actions included discussing future care wishes with family, educating family about AD, and changing their life plans to ensure they dealt with its consequences.
  • The study found that AD risk information may motivate Latinos to engage in planning for a possible future with AD, enabling them to retain a sense of personal control and prepare to deal with its consequences.
  • The research concluded that planning for a possible future with AD may help alleviate concerns and enable individuals to prepare for the consequences, citing cases of participants making changes to their retirement plans, saving money, and investigating social security/employee benefits.
  • The study highlights the importance of providing AD risk information to individuals, particularly Latinos, to empower them to take proactive steps towards planning for their future.
  • The research suggests that AD risk information may have a positive impact on individuals' mental well-being, allowing them to cope with the uncertainty of developing AD.

Statistics:

  • 30% of participants had begun planning for a possible future with AD.
  • 59 participants (30% of the total sample of 191) reported taking actions to address their concerns after receiving AD risk information.
  • 15-months after receiving risk disclosure, interviews were conducted to gauge participants' progress in planning for a possible future with AD.
  • The study found that 22 participants (11.5%) had started getting their financial/legal affairs in order, 21 participants (10.9%) had discussed future care wishes with family, and 18 participants (9.4%) had educated family about AD.

Sources:

  • Planning for the Future Following Receipt of Alzheimer's Disease Risk Estimate Among Latinos In New York City. Journal of Alzheimers Disease, 2025;107(3):1226-1239.
  • Ios Press, Nieuwe Hemweg 6B, 1013 Bg Amsterdam, Netherlands (Journal of Alzheimers Disease).
  • Karolynn Siegel, Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, Dept. of Sociomedical Sciences, 722 W 168TH St, New York, NY 10032, United States (Columbia University).