Minorities are more likely to need an Alzheimer's medical alert

A report by the Alzheimers Association has revealed that Hispanics and black people are at the highest risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

The report, titled 2010 Alzheimer's Facts and Figures, reports that five million people in America are living with the disease. Black Americans are twice as much at risk of developing the disease as whites and Hispanics are 1.5 times more likely to develop it.

The increase in Alzheimer's is thought to be due to an increase in diabetic sufferers and those with high blood pressure, who are more at risk of developing the disease.

Maria Carrillo, senior director of medical and scientific relations at the association, said: 'African-Americans and Hispanics are particularly vulnerable, because the proportion of these two risk factors is higher even still. We can actually do something about this increased risk with better management of the conditions.'

Those who are unfortunate enough to develop the disease can benefit from an Alzheimer's medical alert bracelet which can help a patient's parent or spouse locate the sufferer if they wander off.