“This is tremendously exciting because we will be able to serve so many more by building on a very successful program while initiating two exciting new programs, including one that partners with churches serving those at-risk for dementia within the Spanish-speaking population of our city,” says Amazing Place Executive Director Tracey Brown. “We are incredibly grateful to ACL for this grant, especially as it acknowledges the successful hard work of our staff and partners in addressing the unmet needs of our aging population.”

The new grant provides funding that covers three objectives with targeted interventions.

1. Faith Care Connection

First, through its Faith Care Connection initiative, Amazing Place will now be able to work with congregations in Katy/West Houston to identify and assess older adults living alone who have, or are at risk for dementia, and then connect them with community resources.

“Older adults living alone in the community with dementia are difficult to reach because they are ‘invisible’ in most settings. Our model of reaching them through their churches is a proven approach,” adds Brown. “We’ve seen how Faith Care Connection has transformed lives and provided much-needed support to those who really need it, and we anticipate expanding into West Houston will be a blessing to many more.”

According to the Administration for Community Living’s 2020 Profile of Older Americans, about 27% (14.7 million) of all older adults living in the community in 2020 lived alone (5 million men, 9.7 million women). They represented 20% of older men and 33% of older women. The proportion living alone increases with advanced age for both men and women. Among women age 75 and older, for example, 42% lived alone.

“The proportion [of adults] living alone increases with advanced age for both men and women. Among women age 75 and older, for example, 42% lived alone.”

– Administration for Community Living

2. Cuidando Con Respeto

Second, working with partner churches serving Spanish-speaking communities, Amazing Place will offer Cuidando con Respeto (Caring with Respect), a linguistically and culturally appropriate training program for Spanish-speaking family caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Cuidando con Respeto is an adaptation of the successful, evidence-based Savvy Caregiver Program, which Amazing Place has been offering since 2018.

Like Savvy Caregiver, Cuidando con Respeto adopts a family-centered approach using interactive, culturally relevant learning modules to help family caregivers learn about dementia and develop approaches to better communicate with and care for loved ones with dementia. Amazing Place hopes to offer the program in many different churches and train church clergy, staff, and volunteers over the course of the grant.

In a follow-up to the second Latinos & Alzheimer’s Symposium held in May 2021, the Alzheimer’s Association published a review article in February 2022 titled “Addressing the disparities in dementia risk, early detection a care in Latino populations.” According to the article, Latinos in the United States “are projected to have the steepest increase in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) in the next 40 years compared to other ethnic groups.” Recognizing the need, Amazing Place wants to be a part of a proactive response that provides Spanish-speaking family caregivers education, training, and support that is culturally and linguistically inclusive.

“Latinos in the United States are projected to have the steepest increase in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) in the next 40 years compared to other ethnic groups.”

– Alzheimer’s Association

3. Star-C Caregiver

Finally, through this grant, Amazing Place will be launching the STAR-C Caregiver Program. Graduates of Amazing Place’s popular Savvy Caregiver programs have learned skills to manage difficult dementia behaviors, but often need additional support in applying these new skills in the home environment. STAR-C Caregiver provides this support by pairing trained volunteers with Savvy Caregiver graduates to ensure caregivers are receiving compassionate, follow-up support and encouragement.

Through personalized in-home consultations and coaching, family caregivers will be further equipped to identify and manage difficult behavioral challenges with their loved ones. The program also aims to reduce common feelings dementia caregivers often experience, including stress, anxiety, burden, and depression. During year three of the grant, a unique free caregiver 2-night, 3-day respite retreat at the well-established Camp-For-All (CFA) will be added to the program to focus on self-care strategies to maintain caregiver health.

As the proportion of older individuals in the population is increasing in nearly every country, the number of people impacted by dementia is expected to rise considerably in the next several decades. When it comes to dementia, we know that age is the strongest known risk factor, and research suggests that a considerable percentage of older adults are living alone in the United States. We also know that Hispanic and Latino communities throughout the U.S. are projected to experience a steep increase in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in the next 40 years. Lastly, we know that caring for someone with dementia is often overwhelming and family caregivers need all the support they can receive.

At Amazing Place, we are extremely thankful for the opportunity to respond to the growing challenges of our aging population by expanding Faith Care Connection into Katy/West Houston and launching Cuidando con Respeto and STAR-C Caregiver. It is our hope that these initiatives will be a blessing to many families throughout our community for years to come.

Additional Data Sources: World Health Organization

This program (project/website/publication, etc) is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $1,314,510 with 75% percentage funded by ACL/HHS and 25% percentage funded by non-government source(s). The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.