Registered nurses partner with the Alzheimer's Association

A partnership between the Alzheimer's Association Greater Maryland Chapter and Coppin State University Helene Fuld School of Nursing brings Alzheimer's disease awareness to underserved communities in Baltimore. The seven students enrolled in the school's bachelor of nursing science program are registered nurses with years of experience working at acute and long-term care facilities.
"Nursing experience is an invaluable asset when engaging the public about healthcare issues," says Marlyn Taylor, Greater Maryland Chapter diversity and inclusion program manager. "The 2021 Gallup poll rated nursing as the most trusted profession for 20 consecutive years."
The students' outreach includes promoting the New IDEAS Brain Imaging Study for Memory Loss that examines how a brain amyloid PET scan can help clinicians make earlier and more accurate diagnoses of Alzheimer's and other dementia. Findings will help determine better treatment decisions, and if a change to the treatment plan is needed to help improve quality of life.
The Alzheimer's Association leads the three-year New IDEAS study managed by the American College of Radiology and advised by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The study seeks to enroll 2,000 African Americans and 2,000 Latinos of 7,000 participants. African Americans are affected by dementia at twice the rate as White people and Latinos are affected at one and a half times the rate as White people.

For Alzheimer's disease information, contact the Alzheimer's Association's 24/7 Helpline, 800.272.3900.