YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Researchers at Rush University Medical Center have found that the prevalence of Alzheimer's dementia is highest in the eastern and southeastern United States.

And in our state, Yuma County had the highest prevalence of all counties in Arizona.

The Alzheimer's Association announced that researchers have found that 13.3% of Yuma County residents over the age of 65 have Alzheimer's disease.

“The older you get, the higher your risk for Alzheimer's disease is, and we do have a large aging population in Yuma,” said Morgen Hartford, Alzheimer's Association Southern Arizona Community Executive.

Hartford said that in addition to being older, certain ethnic groups are at higher risk of developing Alzheimer's dementia.

“Older black Americans are about twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's disease than whites, and older Hispanic Latinos are also 1.5 times more likely than whites to develop Alzheimer's disease,” Hartford said. said.

So the Alzheimer's Association said the large number of Hispanic-Latino Americans in our community is also a factor.

Hartford said the data does not specifically address residential status, such as winter visitors.

“If people are having concerns about their thinking, memory or judgment and think they may have Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia, please contact the Alzheimer's Association. In addition to taxing doctors, family doctors are great people to start conversations with,'' Hartford said.