Volunteer and Faith-Based Respite Learning Collaborative Meeting

Creating Dementia-Friendly Congregations to Support African American Families

The ARCH Volunteer and Faith-based Respite Learning Collaborative held a webinar to learn more about the Alter program. Alter is the first of its kind and is a substantial piece of the puzzle in responding to the needs of African American family caregivers and people living with dementia (PLWD) to deliver relevant resources and supportive services. The uptake from church leaders has forged dementia-friendly supportive relationships and convoys of care, allowing families not to feel that they are facing dementia alone. The presenter, Dr. Fayron Epps, shared how the Alter program is working to improve health outcomes and eradicate dementia-related disparities in the African American community.

PRESENTER

Fayron Epps, PhD, RN, founder of the Alter program, is a nurse with over 20 years of experience creating culturally relevant programs to reduce health disparities for underserved populations. She is a Professor and the Karen and Ronald Hermann Distinguished Chair in Caregiver Research at The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio School of Nursing.