A new Alzheimer's resource center is set to open in Oak Cliff, Dallas, expanding access to critical care and research opportunities for a community facing the growing challenges of this devastating disease. Founded by Dr. Diana Kerwin, a nationally recognized researcher specializing in Alzheimer's and other dementias, the center aims to address disparities in healthcare access and improve the quality of life for individuals and families affected by Alzheimer's.
Addressing the Growing Alzheimer's Crisis
With nearly 7 million Americans currently diagnosed with Alzheimer's and a lifetime impact estimated at 1 in 3, the need for accessible and comprehensive care is more urgent than ever. The new center seeks to bridge the gap in access, particularly for those who may face transportation barriers or time constraints that prevent them from traveling to existing centers.
"We can't continue to expect that they're going to come up to the centers that could be 20 or 30 minutes away," Dr. Kerwin explained. "There could be a transportation barrier, or how do I get enough time off of work? And so I wanted to open up a center in Oak Cliff."
Focus on Early Intervention and Quality of Life
The resource center will not only provide access to treatments like Leqembi, one of the drugs granted full FDA approval for slowing the progression of Alzheimer's, but also focus on educating the community and promoting early intervention. Leqembi, while not a cure, has shown promise in slowing the disease's progression, offering hope for patients and their families.
"We have more work to do. We have more work to do on prevention," says founder Dr. Diana Kerwin, "but that is definitely the goal—to increase quality of life, first and foremost."
A Source of Hope
Dr. Kerwin emphasizes that while Leqembi is not a cure, it represents a significant step forward in managing the disease. By providing access to early diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing support, the new Alzheimer's resource center aims to empower individuals and families to navigate the challenges of Alzheimer's and maintain a high quality of life.
"This may not be the cure, but it could be a way to keep it where the disease doesn't get into the later stages of dementia that we think of," explains Dr. Kerwin, "and I think that is a big source of hope for everybody."
