Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s makes the caregiver more religious if he or she is African-American or Hispanic, a survey released this month by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America concludes.

“Church is where Hispanic people go for comfort,” says Nancy Rodrigues, active in the Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “I think most Hispanics like to receive guidance from their religious leaders.”

The survey, conducted by Harris Interactive, also found both minorities believe they lack in having an adequate number of support groups within the framework of their specific religious or ethnic background. Yet they expressed belief that their religious leaders have served them well. Thirty-six percent of Hispanics said they could have used more support from the clergy, while 46percent of blacks said that.

Despite that, 47 percent of African-American respondents and 50 percent of Hispanic caregivers “were significantly more likely to currently use a support group” than caregivers of other races (29 percent), said the polling organization.

The report said, “religious respondents overall were more likely to have access to a support group than non-religious respondents” – by 47 to 36 percent.