Community Partnerships Profile: Alzheimer’s Association

Awareness for Alzheimer’s

Tri-City Medical Center is privileged to feature the Alzheimer’s Association of San Diego/Imperial counties as this month’s COASTAL Commitment partner! Our partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association allows us to aid in their mission to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research, to provide and enhance care and support for all affected and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.

The San Diego/Imperial Chapter provides resources such as virtual educational tools, virtual care consultations, a 24/7 helpline for information, referrals, emotional support and additional information on the national registry and identification bracelet- MedicAlert.

Our partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association of San Diego/Imperial counties allows us to educate the public on topics in the Community Health Needs Assessment such as aging concerns, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and behavioral health. Additionally, these programs explain the importance of cardiovascular health, the connection between diabetes and dementia and how obesity is a risk factor in the development of dementia. Since the partnership with Tri-City Medical Center began in October 2019, the Alzheimer’s Association of San Diego/Imperial County has reached over 600 people through various programs in both Spanish and English.

Diversity and Inclusion

Alongside Tri-City Medical Center, the Alzheimer’s Association was able to expand and enhance several programs including their Diversity and Inclusion program. This program aims to spread Alzheimer’s awareness to the Spanish speaking community and provide them with information on warning signs, resources and tools to reduce the risk of developing dementia. From this expansion, the Alzheimer’s Association of San Diego/Imperial County also hosted an Alzheimer’s and Dementia Community educational forum in the city of Vista late last year. This forum brought together local Hispanic community organizations to provide information to 49 Spanish speaking individuals.

Early Stage Program

In addition to the Diversity and Inclusion program, Tri-City Medical Center also aided their expansion of the Early Stage program; this program holds Living with Alzheimer’s workshop series for caregivers and their loved ones living with Alzheimer’s disease. Caregivers learn skills such as how to manage Alzheimer’s disease throughout its early and middle stages, coping skills, what to expect and how to provide the best care for their loved one.

Care and Support Program

Lastly, this partnership allowed for the Care and Support program to expand to a more widely available virtual or telephonic format. This program aims to educate the community on the following: 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s, Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia, Healthy Living for your Brain and Body, Effective Communication Strategies and Understanding and Responding to Dementia-Related Behaviors.

Tri-City Medical Center is also a proud partner of their 2020 Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® event held on October 3^rd. This year’s event won’t be a large in-person gathering, but we are still walking — and calling on participants of all ages and abilities to join the fight against the disease. This year, Walk to End Alzheimer’s is everywhere — on every sidewalk, track and trail.

To learn more about the Alzheimer’s Association resources and events, please visit alz.org.

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