LTSS and Dementia

As the number of older adults in Indian Country increases, the need to provide culturally appropriate long-term care to people living with dementia is growing.

Overview

Dementia refers to a variety of conditions that affect brain function, memory, and thinking skills. Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia. The confusion that often accompanies dementia can present unique challenges for caregivers of those with dementia.

Learn more about LTSS and dementia:

• Report: LTSS in Indian Country: Alzheimer's and dementia (PDF) (888 KB, 10 pp)
  Highlights basic information about dementia in Indian Country, barriers to diagnosis, and recommendations for tribal communities to address challenges

Cognitive assessments in Indian Country

Understanding cognitive function is important to providing appropriate care to elders who may be experiencing cognitive decline. To assess cognitive function in the context of diverse tribal cultures and disparities faced by American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs), there is a need for culturally appropriate tools. Some cognitive assessment tools show promise for possible adaptation for use in Indian Country.

Learn more about existing assessment tools:

• Literature review: Tribal nursing homes: Dementia assessment tools in Indian Country (PDF) (487 KB, 14 pp) Describes dementia assessment tools for nursing home stakeholders to use in dementia care for AI/AN elders.
• Report: Best practices: Cognitive assessment tools (PDF) (687 KB, 8 pp)
  Reviews cognitive assessment tools and presents several tools for potential adaptation to better fit needs in Indian Country
• Report: Emerging LTSS issues in Indian Country: Cognitive assessments (PDF) (962 KB, 13 pp)
  Examines cognitive assessments, cognitive tools, and their use in Indian Country and discusses the challenges, needs, and promising approaches for these tools.

Resources

Videos

These videos showcase the efforts of the International Association for Indigenous Aging (IA²) around Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

Overview of Work by IA2 Time: 1:41 Hear how IA2 addresses the need for culturally appropriate resources on the topic of dementia.	Early Signs of Dementia Time: 1:47 Learn about resources that IA2 offers to help people recognize the early signs of dementia.
Caregiving Challenges Time: 1:15 Hear about some of the challenges that come with providing care for a loved one who has dementia.	Safer Communities for People with Dementia Time: 2:21 Hear about work on the Wandering Project with the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe in northern Nevada.
Dementia-Friendly Communities Time: 1:18 Learn about efforts to educate communities about what dementia is and how it affects people.	Tribal Laws & Policies Related to Dementia Time: 1:16 Hear about resources that IA2 offers to spur creation of dementia-specific tribal laws, plans, and policies.
Healthy Cognitive Aging Time: 1:09 Hear about resources that IA2 provides to promote healthy cognitive aging across Indian Country.

In the following infographics, see tips for caregivers providing LTSS to those with dementia:

 

(PDF)
LTSS and Dementia: Health and Safety Tips (PDF)
 

(PDF)
LTSS and Dementia: Self Care and Mental Health Tips (PDF)

 

• Webinar recording: Stronger Together – Dementia Awareness Program
  Discusses Northern Valley Indian Health’s patient-centered approach to dementia care and its commitment to improving community health outcomes
• Webinar recording: Dementia Initiatives and Resources from the International Association for Indigenous Aging
  Provides an overview of the national Healthy Brain Initiative, discusses a project to prevent wandering, and highlights the Dementia Friends program
• Webinar recording: Cultural Sensitivity in Memory Care
  Discusses best practices in culturally sensitive care for people living with dementia and highlights examples of how those best practices are applied in tribal care facilities
• Report: Tribal nursing homes: Best practices for patients with dementia and Alzheimer's Disease (PDF) (311 KB, 10 pp)
  Describes promising practices for providing care to patients with dementia and Alzheimer's disease in tribal nursing homes
• Webinar recording: Tribal nursing home stories—Best practices for dementia care
  Reviews how AI/AN communities perceive and address dementia and challenges to caring for people with dementia
• Webinar recording: Touching the spirit through music: The Wisconsin Music & Memory Program
  Describes the Wisconsin Music & Memory Program and explores the connection between music and memory
• Webinar recording: Alzheimer's Disease services and supports for tribal communities
  Discusses the impact of dementia on tribal communities and the services and supports available
• Webinar recording: REACH into Indian Country: Support for dementia caregivers
  Highlights the structure, principles, and results of the REACH intervention, which supports caregivers