Alzheimer’s Association creates Wasco Co. plan

Dementia is the umbrella term for an individual’s changes in memory, thinking or reasoning that are severe enough to interfere with daily life, Shepard said. There are six types of dementia: Alzheimer’s; vascular; Lewy body; frontotemporal; other, including Huntington’s; and mixed dementia, or dementia from more than one cause.

Shepard said the disease kills more people than breast and prostate cancers combined, and one in three of those 65 and older. Dementia also affects caregivers, with physical, social and financial tolls; two-thirds of all caregivers are women.

“So we really need to focus on how we can support families, but also reduce the cost and burden for those caregivers and then the impact on families,” they said. “… More often than not, the person who is caregiving does tend to decline some.”

And though the disease does not affect any one type of person, Black Americans are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s or another dementia; Hispanic Americans are one and a half times more likely. Both are historically under-represented in clinical trials. “We’re really looking forward to a global study that should be released this summer that incorporated at least 40% of individuals from underrepresented communities,” Shepard said.

Morgan highlighted the Alzheimer’s Association’s 24-hour helpline, 800-272-3900, which she called a “triage system” for everything from information and referrals to crises. Everything the Alzheimer’s Association does, from education to support groups, is free thanks to donors.

“The helpline is available in more than 200 languages,” she said. “It is designed to be there for families 24 hours a day. If mom or dad has gotten up for the 10th time in the middle of the night and they [the caregivers] just really need to speak to someone, or they need to have a conversation about … taking the keys away — whatever it may be, this helpline is designed to help the person in need.”

The website, www.alz.org, also contains links for help and support, research, news, and events (click the “find local resources” tab at top to find Oregon and SW Washington chapter information).

Morgan also presented the chapter’s 2025 Wasco County community plan. The first quarter, January through March, includes awareness programs, volunteer recruitment, reaching out to faith communities, and the launch of the Empowered Caregivers series, the first of five being “Building Foundations of Caregiving.”

In the coming months, the plan also includes healthcare provider and first responder blitzes, the Longest Day fundraiser, and a Brain Health Lunch and Learn virtual series.

“One of the things that we know that exists with this disease is stigma, and we need to do everything we can to break that down,” she said.

For more information on Wasco County’s community plan and upcoming events, contact Scott McKay, Circles of Care, at smckay@ageplus.org or 541-980-4645.