When Reynaldo Garza, 79, was diagnosed with dementia two years ago, his daughter Blanca Saenz was worried.
She wasn’t scared about her father’s diagnosis, but was concerned about her family’s lack of knowledge regarding dementia. Saenz took it upon herself to learn as much as she could, she said.
Still, Saenz worried her Spanish-speaking mother, who is Garza’s primary caregiver, didn’t have enough information, support and resources about dementia.
“For my parents, it’s a bit more challenging for them to be able to go, learn and ask for help,” she said.
Hispanic families often struggle with the issue of not having access to dementia education in Spanish, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. In order to combat the information barrier, James L. West Center for Dementia Care launched its Cerebro Sano, or “Healthy Brain,” program in 2023.
One year later, the program’s outreach continues to grow across Tarrant County to increase awareness, risk reduction and knowledge about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
‘Meet people where they are’
More than 617,000 Hispanic people live in Tarrant County. About 21% of the Tarrant County population over the age of 18 speaks Spanish at home.
Scientists predict that cases of Latinos with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias will quadruple by 2060, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That makes outreach like bilingual education and Alzheimer’s programs more important, said Tia Viera, director of bilingual education at James L. West.
“The folks in the Latino community have a lot of fear and stigma about dementia,” she said. “They don’t want to come in because of myths and taboos associated with it. My goal is to find those individuals and offer a very targeted education to help them.”
Cerebro Sano’s classes include:
- Dealing with Dementia/Lidiar con la demencia: four-hour workshop for caregivers to receive support and increase dementia knowledge.
- Dementia Live/Demencia en vivo: simulation that immerses participants with what it would be like to experience cognitive decline and sensory changes.
- Normal vs. Not Normal Aging: session discusses causes of memory loss and explores differences between normal and abnormal aging related to brain health.
- 4-Part Healthy Brain Aging Series: program promotes independent aging by focusing on areas shown to reduce risk of developing dementia.
- Stress Less with James L. West/Estrésate menos con James L. West: interactive sessions where attendees learn to manage stress for better brain health.
James L. West also hosts once-a-month classes for older Hispanic adults at different community health centers in Las Vegas Trail, Northside and Diamond Hill.
Interested in signing up for the Cerebro Sano program?
Contact Tia Viera via email at tviera@jameslwest.org or 817-877-1225 for more information or to sign up for the program you wish to attend.
Cerebro Sano is open to anyone who speaks Spanish and is interested in learning about dementia. The program uses a referral system to reach as much of the Latino community as possible. A partner organization can refer patients to Cerebro Sano, and Cerebro Sano can refer patients to outside resources.
“The bilingual education program is not a pipeline to bring people to James L. West,” said Viera. “We want to meet people where they are. People would go to a program that’s in their community.”
In its first year, the program has attracted over 1,260 attendees and partnered with nearly 20 Tarrant County organizations.
Looks to grow
James L. West Center for Dementia Care Bilingual Education Program is funded through a two-year American Rescue Plan Act grant from Tarrant County. That funding, which came from a federal COVID-19 relief program, is set to end in December.
One of the organization’s main priorities in the next few months is to seek new donors and grants to continue the Cerebro Sano program. Viera is confident James L. West will be able to secure the funding, she said.
In the meantime, the organization is working to expand partnerships to medical groups, clinics and practitioners who treat Hispanic patients, so that they can be a referral source.
James L. West also hopes to connect with residents through hosting the second annual Sonidos del Summer concert series starting May 18 at Marine Park in Fort Worth.
“The concert series was a perfect fit, because music is a big part of healing and care for dementia patients,” said Dora Tovar, PR and marketing consultant with James L. West. “We want to celebrate music and cultural interaction.”
Saenz and her family have utilized the Cerebro Sano program since its launch. Her mother took part in the four-hour workshop for caregivers and it’s made a big difference in how supported she feels, said Saenz.
“This was amazing for (Saenz’s mother) to know that there are resources out there she could utilize to help her not to be afraid,” she said. “When your spouse is diagnosed with dementia, there are so many unknowns.”
Saenz recently joined the James L. West’s Bilingual Education Advisory Council to advocate for Hispanic communities in Tarrant County and help define, review and revise the program.
“I am so humbled by the opportunity and am so excited to let the Hispanic community know these resources are available,” she said.
David Moreno is the health reporter for the Fort Worth Report. His position is supported by a grant from Texas Health Resources. Contact him at david.moreno@fortworthreport.org or @davidmreports on X.
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