Alzheimer’s Disease and caregiving support to the African American community in Syracuse

Luvenia Cowart (PH) PI, Maria T. Brown (SWK) co-I
Extramural Sponsored Project – New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), NYSDOH’s Alzheimer’s Disease Program, $500,000

A $500,000 grant from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) will fund programming to deliver Alzheimer’s Disease and caregiving support to the African American community in Syracuse —including respite care and connections to community resources—as part of the Genesis Health Project. This initiative, led by Syracuse University’s Falk College, is part of the NYSDOH’s Alzheimer’s Disease Program, which implemented a $25 million strategy in 2015 to support people with Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias and their caregivers.

The goals of the African American Alzheimer’s Dementia Caregivers Support Program (AADCS) are to provide Alzheimer’s and dementia education to inner-city African Americans and increase use of available resources to diminish caregiver stress. The programs include educational seminars and cultural competency training for community-based partners. A 12-Week Healthy Living Program will launch August 13 and runs through October 29, 2016 from 9-11:30 a.m. at the Living Water Church of God in Christ, 121 Huron Street. The Healthy Living program encompasses Alzheimer’s Disease and nutrition education, exercise sessions and yoga and meditation. Required registration and orientation for this free program will be held on August 13 starting at 9:00 a.m. All individuals must be 18 years of age to participate.

Launched in 2004, the Genesis Project is part of a larger minority health initiative, in partnership with Falk College, corporate donors, government agencies and other regional partners. The multi-year, community-based initiative aims to reduce health disparities and to promote healthy lifestyles among African Americans. Targeting underserved populations in the area through a network of health advocate volunteers at local churches, the Genesis Project has focused on health issues such as diabetes prevention and management, obesity, and prostate and breast cancer awareness and education in addition to its newest focus on Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia caregiving.

Under the leadership of Falk College public health professor Luvenia Cowart, Ed.D., R.N., co-founder of the Genesis Project, collaborating with co-investigator Maria T. Brown, L.M.S.W., Ph.D., an assistant research professor at Syracuse University’s Aging Studies Institute, the project will implement multiple strategies, including:

  • creating opportunities for partner organizations to offer education, assessments, referrals
  • offering funding to support caregivers’ involvement in GHP
  • supporting community members as they explore and consider available resources and services
  • provide self-care and stress management education for caregivers in African American faith-based communities

Dr. Cowart’s academic interests are focused on public health and health education among minorities, community partnerships and interdisciplinary collaborations, health disparities and mental health issues. Dr. Brown is a social gerontologist who studies later-life experiences of socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals, women, and racial, ethnic, and sexual minorities.