New Study Emphasizes Importance of Those With Dementia Getting Vaccinated

A Case Western University study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association found that people with dementia are twice as likely to get COVID-19, while African Americans with dementia are three times as likely to be infected, reports WKBN 27 . "That's why we're really encouraging people with dementia to get the vaccine," explained Rebecca Hall with the Alzheimer's Association of Greater East Ohio. However, not all Ohioans with Alzheimer's are currently eligible for COVID-19. The Alzheimer's Association says roughly 200,000 people across the country have early-onset Alzheimer's, which means they are younger than 65 but still have problems with social distancing and other preventative measures like older Alzheimer's sufferers. "Not remembering like we would to wash hands after a gathering or . . . just not understanding in the same way that a person without cognitive decline would," Hall said. "So, regardless of age, that's going to be a factor."