Symposium focuses on African-Americans and Alzheimer’s

The Alzheimer’s Association Rochester & Finger Lakes Region and Mt. Olivet Baptist Church will host a free symposium on aging and dementia, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 6 at 141 Adams St.

The Dr. Lemuel and Gloria Rogers African-American Health Symposium will encourage the importance of early detection and is scheduled to feature three speakers:

•Linda Thornton Hillery, who will talk about caring for her father when he was living with dementia. She works to broaden the community’s knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease and to provide information about the help that is available to families affected by the disease.

•Dr. Anton Porsteinsson, director of the University of Rochester Alzheimer’s Disease Care, Research and Education Program, who will discuss the biology of the disease and new methods of detection and treatment.

•Miles Zatkowsky, an attorney specializing in elder law, who will explain legal and financial issues that families need to consider when faced with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia.

Older African-Americans and Hispanics are more likely than older whites to have Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, according to a report from the Alzheimer’s Association. The report also cited evidence that missed diagnoses are more common among older African-Americans and Hispanics than among older whites.

The symposium is named in honor of Rogers, an ob-gyn in Rochester, and his late wife, Gloria, a counselor in the city schools, for their association and work with Alzheimer’s disease.

For more information or to register for the symposium, call (800) 272-3900 or go to 2015aasym.eventbrite.com.

PSINGER@DemocratandChronicle.com