Health and care
Alzheimer's in Latinos: higher risk and early warning signs
Updated October 15, 2026 · Reviewed against official sources
"It's just old age." "He's getting a little senile." "That's just how Grandma gets." In many Latino families, the first memory changes get explained away like this and brushed aside. The Alzheimer's Association reports that 57% of Hispanics believe that significant memory loss is a normal part of aging. It isn't. Recognizing the changes early lets you look for a diagnosis, rule out other causes, and plan care calmly as a family.
Why the risk is higher in the Latino community
The Alzheimer's Association and the CDC agree that Hispanics are more likely than non-Hispanic white people to develop dementia. They also make clear that more research is needed to understand why. Some of the factors being studied are:
- Chronic diseases. Uncontrolled diabetes and high blood pressure are risk factors for dementia, according to the CDC, and they are common in the Latino community. Read our article on diabetes and high blood pressure.
- Longer life expectancy. Age is the biggest risk factor, and an Alzheimer's Association fact sheet notes that Latinos live longer on average.
- Social and economic factors, such as less access to health care and language barriers. According to the Alzheimer's Association, a third of Hispanics (33%) say they have experienced discrimination when seeking health care.
- Untreated hearing loss, another risk factor the CDC mentions.
Having risk factors doesn't mean your loved one will develop Alzheimer's. But it is a good reason to take care of heart health, which also protects the brain: keep blood sugar and blood pressure under control, stay active, sleep well, get hearing checked, and stay connected with family and community.
The 10 early signs
The Alzheimer's Association describes these ten signs. One sign alone isn't enough to know what's going on; the signs help you notice when it's a good idea to see a doctor.
- Memory loss that affects daily life: forgetting things that just happened, asking the same question over and over, relying more and more on notes or on other people.
- Trouble planning or solving problems: for example, following a familiar recipe or paying the monthly bills.
- Trouble doing familiar tasks: getting lost while driving to a familiar place or forgetting the rules of a game they knew well, like lotería or dominoes.
- Confusion with time or place: not knowing what day it is or how they got somewhere.
- Trouble understanding images and distances: difficulty reading, judging distance, or telling colors apart, which can affect driving.
- New problems with words when speaking or writing: losing track of a conversation or calling things by the wrong names.
- Misplacing things and not being able to retrace their steps: putting things in odd places and sometimes thinking someone took them.
- Poor judgment: giving money to strangers or not keeping up with personal grooming.
- Withdrawing from work or social life: no longer going to Mass, family gatherings, or activities they used to enjoy.
- Changes in mood and personality: more confusion, suspicion, fear, anxiety, or anger than before.
What's normal with aging and what isn't
| Can be part of aging | Worth checking with the doctor |
|---|---|
| Forgetting a name and remembering it later | Often forgetting things that just happened |
| Making a mistake with a bill once in a while | Not being able to handle money like before |
| Misplacing glasses and finding them by thinking back to where they were left | Putting things in strange places and not being able to find them |
| Mixing up the day and realizing it later | Losing track of the date or the season |
| Feeling tired of some obligations | Pulling away from family and from things they used to enjoy |
It's not always Alzheimer's: why to see a doctor
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) explains that some memory problems have causes that can be treated: medication side effects; thyroid, kidney, or liver problems; depression or anxiety; alcohol use; sleep problems; or low vitamin B12 levels. That's why a medical evaluation is so important.
How to prepare for the appointment
- Write down specific examples of the changes and when they started. For example: "In August she got lost coming home from church" or "She can no longer follow the rice recipe she always made."
- Bring a list of all medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins, and any medicines brought from their home country.
- If your loved one isn't comfortable in English, ask for a medical interpreter when you make the appointment. Many hospitals and clinics offer one at no cost, and an evaluation in their own language gives more reliable results.
- Ask whether a cognitive evaluation makes sense and, if needed, a referral to a neurologist or geriatrician.
- If they have Medicare, ask about the Annual Wellness Visit, which includes a check of memory and thinking.
When it's urgent: if confusion comes on suddenly, over hours or a few days, or comes with fever, trouble speaking, weakness on one side of the body, a drooping face, or a fall with a blow to the head, call 911. A sudden change is not the typical pattern of Alzheimer's and may be caused by an infection, a stroke, or another emergency.
How to talk about it as a family
Many older adults get scared or upset when someone brings up their memory. Some ideas that help:
- Pick a calm moment and speak with love, without scolding: "Mom, you seem tired, and I want you to get a good checkup."
- Present the appointment as a general checkup, not a memory test.
- Get on the same page with your siblings first, so no one is caught off guard. Our article on talking with your siblings may help.
If there's a diagnosis
An early diagnosis gives you time to talk as a family, get documents like a power of attorney in order (see this guide), and learn about support options. Many families start with help at home or an adult day center and, later on, consider a specialized place. We explain memory care in our memory care guide, and you can use the Katz and Lawton scales as a guide (not a diagnosis) to see how much day-to-day help your loved one needs.
The Alzheimer's Association has a free helpline, open 24 hours a day, with help in Spanish: 800-272-3900. And don't forget about yourself: caring for someone with dementia is exhausting. Read our article on caregiver burnout and help for family caregivers.
Frequently asked questions
If my mom had Alzheimer's, will I get it too?
Not necessarily. The NIA explains that having a parent or sibling with Alzheimer's is linked to a higher risk, but that in most cases several genes play a role together with lifestyle and environment, and that many people with a family history never develop it. If you're worried, talk with your doctor.
Are Alzheimer's and dementia the same thing?
"Dementia" is the general term for loss of memory and other abilities that affects daily life. Alzheimer's is the most common type of dementia, but there are others.
Should we wait until it gets worse to see a doctor?
No. It's best to see a doctor when the changes start to affect daily life. That way, treatable causes can be ruled out, and the family has more time to get organized.
This article is for information only and doesn't replace a visit with a doctor.
Sources
- Alzheimer's Association, "Hispanic Americans and Alzheimer's": https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/how-alzheimers-impacts-different-groups/hispanic-americans (accessed October 15, 2026)
- Alzheimer's Association, "10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer's": https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/10_signs (accessed October 15, 2026)
- Alzheimer's Association, fact sheet on Latinos (2021): https://www.alz.org/media/norcal/documents/10-2021_FactSheet_Latino.pdf (accessed October 15, 2026)
- CDC, "Reducing Risk for Dementia": https://www.cdc.gov/alzheimers-dementia/prevention/index.html (accessed October 15, 2026)
- NIA, "Memory Problems, Forgetfulness, and Aging": https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/memory-loss-and-forgetfulness/memory-problems-forgetfulness-and-aging (accessed October 15, 2026)
- NIA, "Alzheimer's Disease Genetics Fact Sheet": https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-causes-and-risk-factors/alzheimers-disease-genetics-fact-sheet (accessed October 15, 2026)
- Medicare.gov, "Yearly Wellness Visits" (includes the cognitive assessment): https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/yearly-wellness-visits (accessed October 15, 2026)
This is general information, not medical, legal or financial advice. Rules vary by state and by year: confirm with the official agency that applies to you.
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