The Rio Grande Valley is at the epicenter of an Alzheimer’s spike amo…

Neuroepidemiologist Gladys Maestre on Sept. 1, 2022. Maestre’s research explores many factors linked to dementia that affect Latino families in the Rio Grande Valley.

Credit:
Victoria Bouloubasis

As Latinos age in the Rio Grande Valley, the border region is experiencing a surge of dementia-related disease — pushing scientists to find out why. The rising burden weighs heavily on caregivers such as Lupita Casas. She has spent nearly half her life caring for her father, who has Alzheimer’s, and now her mother, who recently developed dementia. Lupita’s story exemplifies the challenges of caring for ailing parents in an area with scant support and medical resources.

Credit:
Univision

A view of the Valley

Noted researcher moves to Texas

Limited resources for caregivers

Nurse practitioner Jessica Cantú lost her father to Alzheimer’s disease in 2021. She now works as a nurse practitioner at El Faro Health & Therapeutics, a clinical research center for Alzheimer’s disease in Rio Grande City.

Credit:
Victoria Bouloubasis

A wind turbine stands near the border of Starr and Hidalgo counties on Sept. 2, 2022.

Credit:
Daisy Yuhas

Raising the bar for Texas