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March 2021
People Living with Dementia are Twice as Likely to Get
COVID-19
In the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic, people
living with dementia were twice as likely to get COVID-19 than
individuals without dementia, according to recent research. Additionally, they were more
likely to have severe complications from COVID-19. From February-August
2020, COVID patients with dementia were 2.5 times more likely to be
hospitalized and 4.4 times more likely to have died from the disease
than COVID patients without dementia.
The study also underscored
the differential impact COVID-19 has had on Black Americans. Black
people living with dementia were nearly three times as likely to
develop COVID-19 compared with white people living with dementia, even
after adjusting for demographics and COVID-19 risk factors. They were
also 36 percent more likely to be hospitalized during the first six
months of the pandemic.
Impact on Older Adults and Caregivers
Older adults are feeling more isolated, have challenges using
technology like video conferencing, and report more difficulty getting
basic household items since the COVID-19 pandemic began, according
to a study conducted by the NORC at the University of
Chicago. The study also found that caregivers delayed their
own medical appointments, routine medical visits, and preventive care.
Caregivers also expressed a need for more respite care and other types
of assistance.
State and Local Health Department Resources
Resource Tool for Community Health Workers
Most states and communities have a growing
population of older adults who are aging in place. As a result, public
health departments are expanding their efforts to improve the health
and well-being of older Americans. One strategy is to partner with
community health workers (CHWs). Community Health Workers: A Resource for Healthy Aging
and Dementia explores how CHWs can promote healthy
aging and help address some of the challenges related to Alzheimer’s
and other dementia. Created by the Alzheimer’s Association and the Association of State and Territorial Health
Officials, the guide offers descriptive lists of available
CHW trainings, CHW-led interventions, and tools CHWs can use.
National Minority Health Month: Race, Ethnicity and
Alzheimer’s in America
April is National Minority Health Month and
public health professionals can use this opportunity to raise awareness
about health disparities and equity concerns among those living with
dementia. Race, Ethnicity and Alzheimer’s in America —
the special report from the Alzheimer’s Association 2021
Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures — examines the
perspectives and experiences of Asian, Black, Hispanic, Native and
White Americans with regard to Alzheimer’s and dementia care. It also
explores the impact of COVID-19 on individuals with Alzheimer’s and
their caregivers. View an infographic and read the full report
at alz.org/facts.
Healthy Aging and Public Health Department Accreditation
Public health departments can integrate healthy aging
into assessments, planning, and initiatives to strengthen community
infrastructure and enhance the health and well-being of older adults.
The Public Health Accreditation Board has
developed a tip sheet and summary report on foundational
strategies for integrating healthy aging efforts throughout the
accreditation process.
Performance Measures Matrix
A wide array of measures that public health can use to
gauge performance on dementia risk reduction, prevention, and detection
are now available in a new matrix tool. These measures can be
used, for example, when setting program or plan objectives, or in
support of evaluation and performance improvement. All of the measures
in the matrix tool relate to actions in the Healthy Brain Initiative Road Map.
Challenges Faced by Caregivers
A new report published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and
Medicine examines the evidence base for essential care and
caregiving interventions for the millions of people living with
dementia and their caregivers. The report includes recommendations for
government agencies to advance research and implement interventions for
populations and communities affected by dementia. The National Institute on Aging and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
also collaborated on the report.
Career Opportunity: Interdisciplinary Summer Research
Institute 2021
The Alzheimer’s Association®
Interdisciplinary Summer Research Institute (AA-ISRI) is an
immersive, no-cost opportunity for early-career researchers in public
health and psychosocial care to become engaged in dementia science and
accelerate breakthroughs in the field. Twelve individuals in each field
will be selected to participate in the Institute, which will be held in
Chicago (COVID-19 circumstances permitting), August 9-13, 2021. Public
health researchers will hear from experts with diverse perspectives on
the public health aspects of dementia. Participants will also receive
individual mentoring in the development of their research proposals.
Applications are due
April 8, 2021. Individuals from diverse backgrounds are
encouraged to apply. To learn more and submit an application,
visit alz.org/summerinstitute.
Emerging Evidence
Subjective Cognitive Decline and Physical
Activity
The prevalence of subjective cognitive decline
(SCD) — self-reported confusion or memory loss that occurs more
frequently or worsens over time — increases as physical activity
decreases, according to a new study. Using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
(BRFSS), the study also found the prevalence of functional limitations
among those with SCD increases as physical activity levels decrease.
Actualizing Better Health and Health Care for Older
Adults
A recent article in Health Affairs
identifies six areas of focus to improve the care and quality of life
for all older Americans through the public health, health care and
other community sectors. Recommendations of particular interest in
improving Alzheimer’s and dementia care include allocating resources to
palliative and end-of-life care, creating an adequately trained
workforce, and strengthening the role of public health.
Creating a Culture of Healthy Aging in Public Health
COVID-19 has profoundly affected older populations and
has drawn attention to societal inequities. A new commentary from the Association of State and Territorial Health
Officials provides specific approaches public health
officials and departments can take to develop a culture of healthy
aging in all communities. Public health leaders are encouraged to work
with agencies serving older adults to integrate aging into public
health plans. Examples include state Alzheimer’s disease plans and
plans to implement the Healthy Brain Initiative Road Map series.
Healthy Brain Initiative
 The
Healthy Brain Initiative’s (HBI) State and Local Public Health Partnerships to Address
Dementia: The 2018-2023 Road Map is designed to
mobilize the public health community in mitigating the future impacts
of Alzheimer’s and other dementias, especially among vulnerable
populations. Read the full Road Map, executive summary or get started with
the planning guide.
 The Healthy Brain
Initiative’s Road Map for Indian Country is a guide
for American Indian and Alaska Native leaders to learn about dementia,
educate their communities, and start taking action against Alzheimer’s.
Read the full Road Map, executive summary, or the dissemination guide to get started.
The Alzheimer’s Public Health E-News is supported (in
part) byCooperative Agreement #NU58DP006744-01, funded by the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Its contents are
solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily
represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention or the Department of Health and Human Services.
For subscription services, please visit alz.org/publichealth.
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