ACCESS Delivers Living with Alzheimer’s Program to Uplift Families Caring for Loved Ones with Dementia in Michigan
Living with Alzheimer’s can leave both individuals and their families feeling isolated, which is why programs like ACCESS’ Living with Alzheimer’s Program play such an important role in reducing stigma and helping people feel connected and supported.
Presented by ACCESS in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association and Michigan Center for Contextual Factors in Alzheimer’s Disease (MCCFAD), the Living with Alzheimer’s Program offers training and community support to provide families in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties with the knowledge, tools, and strategies they need to provide the best care. This program helps to ensure a good quality of life for families who provide care as well as the person living with Alzheimer’s.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 7 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease, and that number is expected to climb to nearly 13 million by 2050. This sharp increase underscores the growing and ongoing need for high‑quality care, resources, and support for those affected to help them cope.
“People are living longer than ever before. But with living longer comes a higher risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias,” said Dr. Kristine Ajrouch, research professor at University of Michigan’s Research Center for Group Dynamics.
Recognizing this growing need, Dr. Ajrouch, who has studied aging for over 25 years, noticed a troubling trend within Michigan’s Arab and Middle Eastern American communities: the stigma surrounding dementia was disproportionately high.Mental health and cognitive decline are often viewed as private family matters, hidden away from the wider community.
Dr. Ajrouch reached out to ACCESS Senior Specialist Amne Darwish-Talab for her deep expertise in the Middle Eastern and Arab American communities. Over her 42-year career, Amne has pioneered vital resources, from navigating the complexities of Medicare to launching the country's first Halal congregate meal site. These decades of service have given her a front-row seat to the devastating toll that isolation and depression take on seniors.
Together, they realized that standard Alzheimer’s resources weren't enough. They needed a program customized to fit the unique cultural needs and sensitivities of Arab American families. Thus, the adapted Living with Alzheimer’s Program was born.
Launched in 2023 as part of a research initiative, the program initially welcomed 36 families. Today, it has successfully served over 100 families. The results speak volumes: participants consistently report feeling significantly less burden and more empowered after completing the training.
The Living with Alzheimer’s Program is a free, three-part education series for families that takes place in person or virtually once a week for three consecutive weeks. Sessions are up to two hours and delivered in English or Arabic, depending on needs. Families who attend will gain access to essential resources for navigating Alzheimer’s care and learn about topics that include:
Understanding symptoms, changes, and care needs associated with Alzheimer’s disease
Learning safe and effective caregiving techniques
Using tools to cope with and reduce burnout
“We’re trying to create a bond between the senior and the family members taking care of them to lessen the pressure that may be in the home…” Amne Darwish-Talab said. “Our goal is to teach them how to communicate with their loved ones , and that it is okay to ask for help.”
The program intentionally recommends at least two family members to attend. This ensures that the caregiving load isn't placed on a single individual's shoulders and that everyone involved receives consistent information.
“What we’ve learned over the years is that when you care for someone living with dementia, it’s oftentimes the entire family who are involved,” Dr. Ajrouch said. “Usually there’s one person who organizes everything, but they are able to do their job better when those around them are in the know.”
Graduating from the Living with Alzheimer’s Program is just the beginning. Participants gain direct access to ACCESS’s extensive network of over 195 comprehensive programs. This ecosystem of support includes high-quality mental health care, dedicated social services assistance, Medicare counseling, and opportunities for personal development.
Two standout initiatives provide ongoing, specialized support:
Caregiving is a marathon, not a sprint. The EXHALE program, a multistate initiative supporting innovative respite services, offers a vital lifeline. Twice a month, family caregivers gather to share experiences, connect with health professionals, and find solace in a community that truly understands their struggles.
“My goal with EXHALE is to reduce caregiver stress while strengthening their ability to care for their loved ones without burning out., by providing them with respite care ” Amne Darwish-Talab said.
The EXHALE program comes with a stipend and two recreational outings. Previous groups have taken boat rides and day trips to the Henry Ford Museum and National Arab American Museum, giving caregivers a much-needed chance to recharge.
Meeting eight times a month, this group addresses the threat of isolation that often accompanies aging. It provides a culturally comfortable space for seniors to socialize, share a meal, listen to professional speakers, take trips, and maintain a sense of community belonging.
“Our seniors are facing serious health, cultural, and emotional challenges that can shorten their lives, especially when they’re isolated and home alone. This congregate meal is giving them more than food, it’s giving them purpose, friendships, and a reason to look forward to being together” said Amne Darwish-Talab.
Alzheimer’s disease changes lives, but it doesn't have to end the joy of living or the strength of family bonds. If you or someone you know is navigating a diagnosis, you don't have to walk this path alone.
For more information on how to get started with ACCESS’s Living with Alzheimer’s Program, please email Amne Darwish Talab at atalab@accesscommunity.org or call 313-231-7133.