NATIONAL ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH

As part of National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, the Alliance for Clinical and Translational Research (ALLIANCE), supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) of the National Institutes of Health (Award 2P50GM133807), shares this bulletin to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia in Puerto Rico and to inform our community about the resources and support available to people living with these conditions and their caregivers.

November: National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month

In the United States, November is recognized as National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. This observance dates back to 1983, when President Ronald Reagan first proclaimed it. In 1994, Reagan publicly disclosed his own Alzheimer’s diagnosis in a handwritten letter to the American people. The observance seeks to increase awareness and understanding of the disease, reduce stigma, encourage early detection, and support ongoing research. Purple is the symbolic color of Alzheimer’s awareness (Awareness Days, 2026).

In Puerto Rico, Law No. 52 of 2021 designated September as Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and September 21 as Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Day, aligning with World Alzheimer’s Month (Law No. 52-2021). By joining the national November observance, this bulletin aims to sustain awareness throughout the year while recognizing the essential role of family members and other caregivers who support people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

In 2026, an estimated 7.4 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s dementia. Nearly two-thirds are women, and older Hispanic Americans are approximately 1.5 times as likely as older White Americans to have Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias (Alzheimer’s Association, 2026). These figures underscore the importance of culturally responsive education, early detection, and accessible support services for affected individuals and their caregivers, including those in Puerto Rico.

November is also National Family Caregivers Month

The Alzheimer’s Association dedicates November to recognizing family caregivers with a powerful message: “Caregivers, we see you,” emphasizing that no one should have to navigate the challenges of caregiving alone. In the United States, nearly 13 million people provide unpaid care for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias, contributing more than 19 billion hours of care annually. The demands of caregiving can take a significant toll on well-being, with 59% of caregivers reporting high levels of emotional stress and 38% experiencing physical stress (Alzheimer’s Association, n.d.).

In Puerto Rico, these challenges are compounded by limited access to support services, including publicly funded adult day care and respite care, as well as the migration of younger family members, which can reduce the availability of informal caregiving support (Mendoza-Graf et al., 2025; Torres-Cintrón et al., 2026). National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month provides an opportunity not only to recognize the dedication and contributions of caregivers, many of whom are women, adult children, and spouses, but also to highlight the importance of expanding resources, strengthening support networks, and promoting caregiver well-being.

What is Alzheimer’s disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that damages neurons and is the leading cause of dementia. Brain changes may begin years before symptoms such as memory loss and difficulties with language and judgment appear (Alzheimer’s Association, 2026).

In Puerto Rico, Law No. 237 of 1999 established the Registry of Alzheimer’s Disease, Huntington’s Disease, and Other Dementias. A digital platform launched in 2022 expanded reporting to 13 types of dementia, strengthening public health surveillance (Olavarría-Mercado et al., 2026).

Why it matters in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico has one of the oldest populations worldwide, ranking fourth in the proportion of residents aged 60 and older (31.9%) (OPPEA, 2025). The proportion aged 65 and older has nearly doubled over the past decade, from 11% to 21%. An estimated one in eight older adults lives with dementia, nearly half of cases remain undiagnosed, and the number affected could double by 2050 (Torres-Cintrón et al., 2026).

According to the Puerto Rico Department of Health’s Dementia Registry:

• Reported cases: From January 2008 through June 2026, 77,628 dementia cases were reported, including 65,776 with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
• Demographics: The median age was 83 years; 64.5% were aged 80 or older, and 64.8% were women.
• Coexisting conditions: Nearly half (47.3%) reported additional health conditions, primarily hypertension (32.0%), diabetes (18.3%), and cardiovascular disease (12.2%).
• Mortality: Alzheimer’s is the fourth leading cause of death in Puerto Rico, accounting for 2,996 deaths. Among adults aged 60 and older, it ranked third in 2023, with 3,036 deaths (OPPEA, 2025; Olavarría-Mercado et al., 2026).
• 2026 trends: During the first half of 2026, 5,840 unique cases were reported. Rates were higher among women than men, with the highest age-adjusted regional rates in Aguadilla-Mayagüez and Caguas (Registro de Enfermedad de Alzheimer, Enfermedad de Huntington y otras Demencias, 2026).
• Projection: Cumulative reported Alzheimer’s cases could reach approximately 117,000 by December 2030 (Olavarría-Mercado et al., 2026).

These findings highlight the growing public health impact of dementia in Puerto Rico and the need for early detection, accessible care, and stronger support for affected families.

What research in Puerto Rico tells us

Recent Research on Alzheimer’s Disease in Puerto Rico: Four Key Findings

Recent studies highlight four major challenges and discoveries related to Alzheimer’s disease in Puerto Rico: access to care, healthcare workforce shortages, funding disparities, and genetic risk.

Key takeaway: Alzheimer’s disease in Puerto Rico is both a clinical and a public health equity challenge. Higher dementia prevalence, limited healthcare funding, workforce shortages, and substantial caregiver responsibilities underscore the urgent need for more accessible services, stronger support systems, and continued research.

Priorities for Strengthening Alzheimer’s Care in Puerto Rico

Research findings and Puerto Rico’s public health plans highlight five priorities for improving care and supporting people living with dementia and their caregivers:

• Long-term care: Expand Medicaid coverage to include long-term services and supports and address Medicare Advantage payment disparities between Puerto Rico and the states.
• Care coordination: Reduce appointment delays, improve electronic health record sharing, strengthen care coordination, and connect patients with community resources.
• Healthcare workforce: Retain healthcare professionals, reduce burnout, expand transportation and home-based services, and simplify prior authorization.
• Caregiver support: Advance the Healthy Aging Ten-Year Plan (PDES) by expanding dementia services, maintaining a directory of long-term care resources, and establishing respite and support programs for informal caregivers.
• Multisector collaboration: Strengthen the Puerto Rico Coalition on Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias (CADPR), established under the federal BOLD initiative, to promote early detection, risk reduction, caregiver support, research, education, and prevention of avoidable hospitalizations.

Together, these priorities emphasize the need for a more accessible, coordinated, and equitable system of dementia care that supports both individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and those who care for them.

Recognizing the Early Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease

The Center for the Coordination of Services for Persons Affected by Alzheimer’s Disease identifies 10 warning signs (Centro de Alzheimer, 2024):

1. Memory loss that interferes with daily life.
2. Difficulty planning, concentrating, or solving problems.
3. Trouble completing familiar tasks at home or work.
4. Confusion about time or place.
5. Vision or spatial difficulties, such as judging distances or getting lost.
6. Language difficulties, including trouble finding words.
7. Misplacing objects and difficulty retracing steps.
8. Poor judgment or changes in decision-making.
9. Withdrawal from work, hobbies, or social activities.
10. Changes in mood or personality, including anxiety, sadness, fear, or irritability.

Why early detection matters: Recognizing these signs and seeking medical evaluation can lead to earlier diagnosis, timely access to treatment and support services, and better planning for future medical, legal, and financial needs. It also helps caregivers access information, guidance, and resources (Centro de Alzheimer, 2024).

How you can take part this November

• Wear purple: Show your support for Alzheimer’s awareness and share reliable information using #AlzheimersAwareness and #ENDALZ (Awareness Days, 2026).
• Recognize memory changes: If you or a loved one experiences memory concerns, consult a healthcare professional or request a free virtual memory screening through the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA).
• Protect your brain health: Research identifies 14 potentially modifiable dementia risk factors that together may account for approximately 45% of cases. Managing blood pressure and diabetes, staying physically active, and maintaining social connections can help reduce risk (Livingston et al., 2024).
• Support a caregiver: Offer respite, help with errands, coordinate family support, or simply check in. Small gestures can make a meaningful difference (Alzheimer’s Association, n.d.).
• Get involved: Learn about the Puerto Rico Coalition on Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias (CADPR), share educational resources, and support community efforts to improve dementia care (CADPR, n.d.).

This November, every action counts. Together, we can raise awareness, support caregivers, and build a more informed and compassionate community for people living with Alzheimer’s disease in Puerto Rico.

Local and national resources

The Alzheimer’s Center Services Directory (2024) lists, by municipality, activity centers (CAMPEA), in-home aide services, transportation, adult care centers, and foster homes. Request it from the Center.

References