An estimated 6.7 million people are living with Alzheimer’s in the United States right now. That number will grow — the CDC expects it to double by 2060. While Alzheimer’s affects people of all races, cultures, and ethnicities, Hispanics and Latinos are being hit particularly hard by this degenerative disease. In San Diego County alone, we anticipate a substantial 196% increase in the number of Latinos over the age of 65 with dementia or Alzheimer’s by 2040.

In my role at Alzheimer’s San Diego, where I work directly with clients and assess their needs, I’ve found that one of the biggest barriers to recognizing symptoms of Alzheimer’s is the stigma surrounding the diagnosis. Rather than face that stigma, many elders in the Hispanic and Latino community will attempt to hide their cognitive

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