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February is American
Heart Health Month and, as we know,
what’s
good for the heart is good for the brain! Alzheimer’s disease shares many of the same risk factors as heart disease. Plus, heart disease, stroke, and related complications can cause
vascular
dementia. This affects blood vessels in the brain and leads to changes in cognition and behavior. Treating risk factors like high
blood pressure, diabetes,
and high cholesterol can help prevent vascular dementia.
This month is also American
Black History Month! The Alzheimer's Association’s
2025
Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures report indicates 19% of Black adults age 65 and older have Alzheimer’s dementia, compared with 10% of White older adults and 14% of Hispanic older adults. Learn more about
Black
Americans and Alzheimer’s.
Dementia risk reduction efforts have shown
to protect cognitive function.
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Regular physical activity can help prevent, delay, or manage chronic diseases, like dementia. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity weekly to help protect your heart and brain.
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A heart healthy diet can have many benefits for your brain.
A
2018 reportfrom the Global Council on Brain Health reports that foods and diets that are good for heart health are also good for brain health. The American Heart Association outlines
brain
healthy diets.
Contractor Updates
Dementia
Care ECHO Program Virtual Series
Date: January 28 - April 8, 2026
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Registration: Register
online
Texas
Tech Health Science Center’s (TTUHSC)
The
Garrison Institute on Aging is launching an exciting new virtual series for healthcare providers, as part of a Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)-sponsored contract. The
Dementia
Care ECHO Program is a six session virtual learning series that runs January 28 - April 8, 2026. The sessions begin with an educational presentation by a field expert, followed by a collaborative discussion with participants on real world scenarios
from their practices. All participants are eligible to receive continuing education credits (CMEs and CNEs) from TTUHSC for time spent on the program.
Alzheimer’s Disease Program (ADP) staff presented two educational posters at the
Texas
Alzheimer’s Research and Care Consortium (TARCC) Annual Symposium on January 22, 2026:
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A Public Health Approach to Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia: Texas DSHS Alzheimer's Program Initiatives -
Presented by Megan Rowe, MPS; and
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Strengthening Dementia Collaboration Across Texas: Two Years of Progress in the Texas Alzheimer's Disease Partnership - Presented by Vanessa Pierson and Stephanie Daly, LMSW
ADP has created a Grants
to Increase Local Dementia Support (GILDS) 2024-2025 Impact Brief. This report highlights the achievements of 10 grant recipients serving 48 counties in Texas and will be shared during our next
Partnership
meeting on March 3, 2026. In year one, GILDS recipients:
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Expanded referral capacity
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1,851 referrals made by grantees connecting caregivers and persons with ADRD to dementia resources.
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875 referrals made to grantees from organizations to connect to ADRD resources.
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Increased education opportunities
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639 educational activities conducted.
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5,849 caregivers participated in education activities.
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Increased dementia-specific staff
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21 dementia resource specialists trained.
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Created and enriched partnerships
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879 community-clinical linkages (referral relationships between professional service organizations) initiated.
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Enhanced professional development
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1,557 professionals referred to DSHS’s healthcare provider education modules on ADRD.
Texas A&M University, in Collaboration with ADP
Texas
A&M study highlights urgent needs of dementia caregivers
Frontiers in Public Health
Community
health workers: developing roles in public health dementia efforts in the United States
National Institutes of Health
2025
NIH Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias research progress report: advances and achievements
Alzheimer’s Association
First
ALZ-NET data readout marks milestone in building real-world evidence for Alzheimer’s treatment
Living
Longer: The Increasing Need for Dementia Care and Support for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Date: February 11, 2026, 1-2 p.m.
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Registration: Register
online
This webinar by the National
Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Center (NADRC) will provide participants with an overview of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and dementia including prevalence, signs and symptoms, and assessing if a person with IDD may be developing
dementia. Participants will also learn practical considerations for supporting people with IDD and dementia with an emphasis on enhancing workforce training.
Dementia
Class: Savvy Caregiver Express
Date: February 12 - April 30, 2026
Location: Amazing Place West in Houston, Texas
Cost: $37 for three weeks of class
Registration: Register
online
Amazing
Place’s Savvy
Caregiver Express Program helps caregivers and family members understand dementia, its effects on behavior, and how to develop strategies for caregiving and decision making. This class meets once a week for 3 weeks throughout February, March, and
April.
Cardiovascular
health Shapes Brain Health in a U.S. Pediatric Cohort Study Webinar
Date: February 24, 2026, 11am-12pm
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Registration: Register
online
In recognition of the American
Heart Month, this presentation by
UTHealth
Houston School of Public Health examines how cardiovascular health influences brain structure and cognitive development in a large U.S. pediatric cohort. Using longitudinal data, we highlight how early cardiometabolic risk factors and lifestyle
behaviors shape brain health during critical developmental periods, with implications for prevention and health equity.
Nantz
National Alzheimer Center Symposium
Date: February 27, 2026
Location: Houston Methodist
Cost: View
pricing levels
Registration: Register
online
The last few years have witnessed rapid developments in the understanding of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), particularly in terms of its genetic foundations and imaging characteristics. This 15th annual symposium brings together leading scientists
to discuss FTD and ongoing research to discover effective therapies.
StARS
Center Funding Application
The StARS
Center is funded by the National
Institute on Aging (U54AG089300) to assist states and state partner organizations in expanding data resource capabilities to facilitate the examination of accessibility, affordability, and effectiveness of state-based integrated and coordinated
dementia care services, programs and policies. Available funding includes up to $110,000 in total costs per project (including direct and indirect costs). Funded projects will also receive support from Center scientists and research staff through monthly virtual
meetings, direct consultations, and feedback on interim results and study progress. A letter of intent is due by March 12, 2026. Applications for funding are due May 21, 2026.
2025
NADRC Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Dementia: Practical Strategies for Professionals
IDD and Dementia: Practical Strategies for Professionals provides background and strategies for professionals — from both the intellectual and developmenttal disability and aging communities — when working with iindividuals living with IDD and dementia. This
NADRC
guide includes tools professionals can share with families or other caregivers who work with these individuals.
Early
Detection Resource Guides
The NYU
BOLD Public Health Center of Excellence in Early Detection (PHCOE) has new resource guides for community-based organizations and health departments interested in promoting early detection of dementia.
Public
Health Curriculum for Early Detection of Dementia
The NYU BOLD PHCOE, in collaboration with the Alzheimer's Association, offers a free curriculum exploring public health strategies that can be used to increase awareness of and access to early detection of dementia. Access this
curriculum
and other interactive online learning modules at the
Alzheimer’s
Association Public Health Education Center.
Equipping
Community Health Workers to Address Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias in Their Communities
The
Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) offers an e-learning module that provides community health workers with important facts and strategies to help them reduce dementia risk, enhance early detection, and improve caregiving
in their communities. Access the curriculum
at no cost.
Alzheimer's
and Public Health Action in Texas
The Alzheimer’s
Association offers state-by-state
ADRD data. This resource provides the current information on public health interventions to addressing cognitive health implemented across the United States to address ADRD.
Alzheimer’s Disease Partnership Meeting March 3, 2026 9-11 a.m.
Join
the meeting online
Membership Workgroup: This workgroup is responsible for member engagement and partnership growth. Members plan educational events, contribute to the quarterly newsletter, and perform outreach. This workgroup meets every other month. Our next meeting
is March 18, 2026, 10-11 a.m. >Join
the meeting online.
Implementation Plan Workgroup: This workgroup creates our Partnership’s implementation plans. This workgroup meets every other month. Our next meeting is March 10, 2026, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Join
the meeting online.
Community-Clinical Linkages Workgroup: This workgroup will assist in connecting healthcare professionals and community resources to improve coordination of care. Our next meeting is February 17, 2026, 10-11 a.m.
Join
the meeting online.
Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Data Workgroup: This workgroup will focus on improving data specific to Texas. Its goal is to support decision-making that is based on data and sustainable for the program and Partnership. Our next meeting is
February 6, 2026, 10-11 a.m.
Join the meeting online.
If you would like to join a workgroup, please email
[email protected] or fill out our
member
form.
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