LTSS and Dementia

As the number of older adults in Indian Country increases, so does the need for culturally appropriate LTSS for people living with dementia.

Overview

Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia cause changes in memory, thinking, and behavior. Providing care for someone who has dementia presents unique challenges.

Learn more about LTSS and dementia:

• Report: Emerging LTSS Issues in Indian Country: Alzheimer's and Dementia (PDF) (888 KB, 10 pages)
  Discusses barriers preventing diagnosis and recommendations to help address challenges.
• Report: Tribal Nursing Homes: Best Practices for Patients with Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease (PDF) (311 KB, 10 pages)
  Describes different approaches that tribal nursing homes have implemented to better meet the needs of elders living with dementia.

Cognitive Assessments in Indian Country

Having culturally appropriate cognitive assessment tools can help ensure that elders experiencing memory loss receive the care they need. Learn more about the topic of cognitive assessment.

• Literature review: LTSS Research: Dementia Assessment Tools in Indian Country (PDF) (487 KB, 14 pages)
  Includes summaries of references describing cognitive assessment tools that may be useful in nursing homes where AI/AN elders receive care.
• Report: LTSS Research: Cognitive Assessment Tools (PDF) (687 KB, 8 pages)
  Provides an overview of six cognitive assessment tools that can be adapted for use in Indian Country.
• Literature review: LTSS Research: Cognitive Assessments (PDF) (962 KB, 13 pages)
  Highlights the need for cognitive assessment tools that are culturally tailored and validated for AI/AN populations.

Resources

Videos

These videos showcase the efforts of the International Association for Indigenous Aging 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:

 

LTSS and Dementia: Health and Safety Tips (PDF)
 

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

 

• Webinar recording: Navigating Dementia: Community Services at Home
  Highlights the Spirit Lake Tribe’s home- and community-based services (HCBS) system for people with dementia and their caregivers.
• Webinar recording: Building a Dementia Training for First Responders
  Highlights an award-winning program developed to help first responders and health care providers better address the needs of people with dementia and their caregivers.
• 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.
• 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.