About Alzheimer's Diversity Outreach Services, Inc.

Our Mission

Our mission is to assist in public education and awareness of dementia, particularly among diverse populations, notably African-American communities.

Our Vision

Our vision is to empower families, friends, and caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients with the tools and resources to combat and cope with the disease.

The Challenge

In the U. S. the 6th leading cause of death is Alzheimer's disease. It's estimated that only 45% of people with Alzheimer's or their caregivers report being told of their diagnosis vs. 90% of people with cancer.

-Alzheimer's Association

Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementia-related illnesses can take hold with little warning and dramatically transform the life of not only the person with the disease but virtually everyone they hold close.

Perhaps even more troubling than the disease itself is the fact that disproportionately affects members of the African-American community. African Americans are two times more likely to develop late-onset Alzheimer’s Disease than whites and are even less likely to have a diagnosis of their condition, which means they have less time for treatment.

While there is no known cure for Alzheimer’s Disease, learning the warning signs and catching them early can make the disease more manageable for everyone affected. Alzheimer’s Diversity Outreach Services provides Alzheimer’s patients and their families, friends, and caregivers the tools and resources to cope with and combat the disease. In addition, our annual Out of Africa event in Tulsa, OK is one of the largest African-American-focused Alzheimer's Events in the nation, and has been raising money and awareness for the disease for nearly two decades

Facts About The Disease

An estimated 6.9 million Americans are living with
Alzheimer's dementia.
The percentage of people with Alzheimer’s dementia increases with age:
- 5.0% of people age 65 to 74,
- 13.2% of people age 75 to 84,
- 33.4% of people age 85 and older have Alzheimer’s dementia.
The population of Americans aged 65 and older are projected to grow from 58 million in 2022 to 82 million by 2050.
Differences Between Women and Men in the Prevalence and Risk of Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias:
- Almost two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer’s are women. Of the 6.9 million people age 65 and older with Alzheimer’s dementia in the United States,
- 4.2 million are women, and 2.7 million are men. This represents 11% of women and 9% of men age 65 and older in the United States.

Caregiving

More than 11 million Americans provide unpaid care for a family member or friend with dementia, a contribution to the nation valued at nearly $350 billion.

SOURCE: 2024 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures, Special Report. Mapping a Better Future For Dementia Care Navigation"

Who We Serve

We serve diverse populations, prioritizing African Americans facing challenges due to Alzheimer's within or below the poverty level in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and beyond. We collaborate with various organizations, including the National Alzheimer’s Association, local chapters, faith communities, and others, to reach and support those impacted by the disease.

Our History

Alzheimer’s Diversity Outreach Services has a long-standing commitment to providing Alzheimer’s education, awareness, and hope to diverse populations and caregivers, locally and nationally. For the last 20 years, our mission has been to educate and bring awareness and hope to diverse populations, particularly BIPOC populations, about Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Education and awareness are critical for timely care for both persons challenged by Alzheimer's and their caregivers.

Our organization is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, but we extend our services nationwide, responding to help and requests for assistance, which expands our outreach and impact.