EL PASO, Texas -- This month is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness month and so far it's affecting more than 5 million Americans, many of whom are Hispanic.

"She was very forgetful so we thought it was aging,” said Pat Munoz of East El Paso.

Munoz cares for her 68-year-old mother, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s 10 years ago.

“I've inherited a daughter. It's basically what it's been,” said Munoz.

To ensure her mother receives proper care, Munoz quit her job.

“Being that I have a son with special needs as well.” Munoz said. “It was very hard to keep her here with me and also him. I’ve opted to put her in foster care."

She is one of 200,000 Latinos living with Alzheimer’s in America a number which could grow to more than a million in the next 50 years. Denese Watkins, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association in El Paso tells KFOX why Latinos are more at risk for the disease.

“Life styles, you know, diet, things like that. In El Paso it's so important for us, with the population being heavily Hispanic here, that we discuss and educate the people in the community about the disease,” Watkins said.

Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death in America. Watkins said there are signs to watch for.

"Not just forgetting their keys but not knowing what the keys are for. Not being able to function and doing their activities of daily living like dressing themselves," said Watkins. “Forgetting how to cook or doing things that have come natural to them.”

If you'd like to help raise funds for the Alzheimer's Association in El Paso, you can join them at the “Holiday Tip Off” from 6 to 10 p.m. at AnnieMo's on 120 Redd Road. There you can get holiday decorating tips and recipes, tickets are $10. For more information call 544-1799.