Empowering Community Health workers to Address Dementia in Underserved Communities
Primary Topic: Dementia care and the role of Community Health Workers (CHWs) in improving access to care, particularly in underserved communities.
Primary Keyword: Dementia Care Training
Secondary Keywords: Community Health Workers, Alzheimer’s Disease, Health Disparities, Underserved Populations, Workforce Progress, Continuing Education, Texas, Memory Care.
Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias pose a significant and growing public health challenge, disproportionately affecting minority racial and ethnic communities.https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-and-figures Addressing thes disparities requires a multifaceted approach, and Community Health workers (CHWs) are increasingly recognized as essential members of the care team. CHWs build trust within communities, navigate cultural and linguistic barriers, and provide vital links to healthcare and social services.
Recent research highlights the positive impact of targeted training programs designed to enhance CHWs’ knowledge and confidence in providing dementia care. A study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease (Santiago-Mejias et al., 2025) evaluated the effectiveness of an educational workshop for CHWs in South Texas. Sixty-one CHWs participated in in-person training sessions, and their confidence levels and intended submission of new knowledge were assessed through surveys.
The results demonstrated a statistically significant increase in confidence among CHWs in their ability to provide dementia care following the training (p < 0.001). Furthermore, qualitative analysis revealed five key roles CHWs can fulfill in dementia care:
- Education and Awareness: Providing details about dementia to community members, reducing stigma, and promoting early detection.
- Care Navigation: Assisting individuals with dementia and their families in navigating the complex healthcare system and accessing available resources. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-and-dementia/resources-help-caregivers
- Direct Support: Offering practical assistance and emotional support to individuals living with dementia and their caregivers.
- Advocacy: Championing the needs of individuals with dementia and their families within the community and healthcare system.
- Cultural Mediation: Bridging cultural gaps and ensuring culturally sensitive care for diverse populations.
These findings underscore the potential of investing in training interventions to equip CHWs with the skills and knowledge necessary to address the unique challenges faced by individuals with dementia and their families in underserved communities. By empowering CHWs, healthcare systems can improve access to quality dementia care, reduce health disparities, and enhance the quality of life for those affected by this devastating disease. Further research is needed to explore the long-term impact of such training programs and to identify best practices for CHW integration into dementia care teams.
Recommended Citation:
Santiago-mejias, S., Rhodes, S. L., Epps, F. R., Hilsabeck, R. C., Garza, N., seshadri, S.,& Patel,N.K. (2025).Empowering community health workers in dementia care in South Texas. Journal of Alzheimer’s disease : JAD, 108(2), 546-551.