The Center for Outreach, Aging, Alzheimer’s and Community Health (COAACH) at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is hosting a community cookout and health fair on Saturday, April 27, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The event will take place at 2105 Yanceyville St. and is open to the public, with registration recommended.
Several local partners will be present at the event to offer free health resources, dental and health screenings, as well as blood pressure and glucose checks. Under the leadership of its new director, Travonia Brown-Hughes, Ph.D., COAACH is relaunching its outreach activities and services that were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The center is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for African Americans and vulnerable communities living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias, their families, and caregivers through education and community support.
COAACH aims to promote healthy aging by showcasing student engagement in neuroscience research, providing support groups and activities for local caregivers, and offering resources that can help them manage their loved ones’ chronic health conditions while maintaining their own wellness. According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, a 2020 estimate from the Alzheimer’s Association revealed that about 210,000 North Carolinians were living with Alzheimer’s disease, but only about half of them were diagnosed.
In addition to providing caregiver support services such as respite care services for family members caring for loved ones with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease who need short term relief during times of stress or exhaustion in order to maintain balance in their lives while taking care of a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease; COAACH also offers educational programs such as workshops on memory loss management techniques or stress reduction strategies that can help improve overall wellbeing. COAACH is also actively involved in community engagement efforts aimed at raising awareness about Alzheimer’s disease among African Americans and other marginalized communities who are disproportionately affected by this disease but often underdiagnosed due to lack of access to healthcare services or cultural barriers which may hinder communication with healthcare providers