The alter program: A nurse-led, dementia-friendly program for African American faith communities and families living with dementia

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Fayron Epps, Emory University; Miranda Moore, Emory University; Mia Chester, Georgia State University; Janelle Gore, Emory University; Mayra Sainz, Emory University; Aisha Adkins, Georgia State University; Carolyn Clevenger, Emory University; Dawn Aycock, Georgia State University
• Language: English
• Date: 2022-01-01
• Publisher: Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/NAQ.0000000000000506
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Nursing Administration Quarterly
• Volume: 46
• Issue: 1
• Start Page: 72
• End Page: 80
• Grant/Funding Information: This work was also supported by the Alzheimer’s Association Research Grant-Diversity [AARG-18-56229 (F.E.)]; The Alter program is funded by the Georgia Gear, a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) funded Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (Award U1QHP33070).; The authors would like to acknowledge this work resulted from the development plan and activities of the primary author’s career development award through the National Institute on Aging, a division of the National Institutes of Health [K23AG065452 (F.E)]. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, HRSA, HHS, the U.S. Government, the National Institutes of Health, or the Alzheimer’s Association.
• Keywords: Social Support; Nurse's Role; Black or African American; Dementia; Aged; Humans

Abstract

Dementia is a stigmatizing condition requiring enhanced awareness and understanding. Churches are a trusted source of support for African Americans, a demographic disproportionately affected by dementia. However, many African American churches are not equipped with the knowledge and means to provide safe environments, resources, and spiritual and social support for their parishioners living with dementia and their families. This protocol is written to detail the design and implementation of a nurse-led, dementia-friendly congregation program, Alter. The Alter program was developed to increase dementia awareness, develop a supportive, faith-based dementia-friendly infrastructure, and create a community supporting the well-being of African Americans living with dementia and their families. Engagement in this program aims to improve brain health status of older adults, improve physical and mental health outcomes, reduce dementia stigma, and enhance personal agency. Improved outcomes for persons living with dementia translate into lower use of acute and emergency services due to more stability in community care. It is expected that the churches participating in this program will be recognized by their community as a great resource for dementia information and support. The long-term goal of the Alter program is to be widely adapted in various health systems to reduce health disparities associated with dementia in the African American community.