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Ald. Witkowiak took part in the March 30 grand opening celebration of the Latino Geriatric Center, a first-of-its-kind facility for Latinos with dementia and early signs of Alzheimer's disease located on the second floor of the United Community Center, 1028 S. 9th St. The center, designed to resemble a village in Mexico or Puerto Rico, offers a range of programs and services specifically suited to Spanish-speaking seniors. "This $3 million facility isn't at all like a hospital, and it really offers a comforting atmosphere where Latino seniors can feel welcome," said the alderman. He said UCC Executive Director Ricardo Diaz was instrumental in making the center a reality by developing partnerships with the Medical College of Wisconsin, the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison and the Alzheimer's Association. The facility will also serve as a research center to study Alzheimer's in Latinos, a high-risk population that has not been closely studied or monitored. |