When Ramona Latty — a then 84-year-old Dominican immigrant living in the Bronx — was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, she was told to “Google it” for more information. Her daughter Yvonne Latty — by this point a mother herself, a journalist, and a university professor — was also in the room. They received the diagnosis in shock. That day, Yvonne noticed how packed the waiting room was, she noticed the color of everyone’s skin, and she realized: we are being ignored. Ramona is now living in a nursing home in the Bronx. COVID-19 has made their struggle to connect even harder. For months they have only seen each on SKYPE and Ramona is fading away.
Alzheimer’s is a hard situation for everyone, but African American and Latinx communities have unique challenges that are pressing and complicated.
African Americans are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s than white Americans, and Latinx Americans are 1.5 times as likely. Population growth in the next decade foreshadows an incredible growth of Alzheimer’s in communities of color. Despite these statistics, patients in these communities are less likely to be diagnosed by a healthcare professional, and even less likely to be represented in a clinical trial.
There is a lot of loneliness felt by Alzheimer’s patients and caregivers, and there’s an extra layer of loneliness when the general reflection of the disease you are navigating doesn’t look — or sound — like you. In this intimate portrait, Yvonne takes us through her and her mother’s Alzheimer’s journey, and the value of memories in keeping those we love alive.
“Alzheimer’s In Color” is a collaboration between Latino USA and Black Public Media, supported by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
This episode originally aired in 2020.
Featured illustration by Alex Charner.
Latino USA is celebrating 30 years, 30 años, and we would love to hear from our listeners. Would you share with us your favorite Latino USA episode? Maybe it’s the one you remember the most, the one that kept you company during a road trip or the one you most shared with others. Or maybe you just have a birthday wish for us. Please leave us a voicemail at 646-571-1224 and we might feature your message in an upcoming show. Gracias.
