Indian Health Service - Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Program

Nurse Fellow Excels in Palliative and Hospice Care ​​​​​Initiatives

Bethany Reed is a board-certified Adult & Geriatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner striving for quality care to the most vulnerable patients in tribal communities. She believes elders are crucial to cultural preservation efforts.

In 2023, Reed joined the Indian Health Geriatric Nurse Fellowship and Geriatric Scholars (GeriScholars) programs. Her goal was to elevate elder voices, especially regarding traditions, beliefs, language, values, and practices, shaping conversations around the following:

  • Advanced directives
  • Care Planning
  • Serious Illness diagnoses
  • Goals of care

“When dialogue is infused with language awareness, therapeutic humility, and shared decision-making in a care plan, a person/family/caregiver is more meaningfully engaged with their care team. This allows for the improvement of health outcomes, social determinants of health, and quality of life," said Reed.

As an Indian Health GeriScholar and Nurse Fellow, Reed studied successful initiatives happening across Indian Country on the topics of advanced directives, palliative and hospice care, and others. 

Palliative care focuses on alleviating symptoms and improving the quality of life for people with serious illnesses. When offered to a patient at the time of a serious diagnosis and during transitional care (skills care or hospitalization), the goal is to provide increased physical, spiritual, emotional, financial, and resource support.

Her efforts culminated in leading an accredited Continuing Medical Education (CME) conference during which she helped to facilitate topics including:

  • Strategies to improve serious illness across your organization
  • Starting a palliative care program in your tribal community
  • Navigating dementia and Alzheimer's in Indian Country 
  • Bridging traditions and healthcare in tribal communities

The full-day conference included breakout sessions, and each was at capacity. Reed said overall, the conference was extremely well received. 

To learn more about palliative care, visit the Center to Advanced Palliative Care (CAPC). To find resources for people living with serious illness visit the Get Palliative Care website.

Newsletter Content Section Ribbon

Learn about the Geriatric Nurse Fellowship Program on October 15 

We will host an Indian Health Geriatric Nurse Fellowship (GNF) information session on October 15 at 1:00 PM EDT! Up to 20 RNs, APRNs, and LPNs from IHS, tribal, and urban Indian health care settings can receive up to $6,500 in financial support.

The fellowship kicks off in January and includes training, mentored activities, leadership involvement, networking, certification options, and more. Applications will be available soon!

Visit the GNF website for more information on upcoming fellowship opportunities.

Newsletter Content Section Ribbon

CDC Releases MMWR Report on Caregiver Health Indicators

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently published a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) on Changes in Health Indicators Among Caregivers. 

The results show that caregivers have been experiencing more mental distress, depression, obesity, and chronic physical conditions in recent years. Caregivers also continue to have worse health outcomes than non-caregivers on 13 health measures. 

Authors note that a positive social connection between a caregiver and care recipient can provide a sense of purpose for the caregiver and less stress for the care recipient.

Newsletter Content Section Ribbon

Dementia-Focused Funding Available for IHS Service Units​​​​​​

The Indian Health Service Office of Quality is requesting proposals from Service Units to identify innovative quality improvement projects for the 2024-2025 calendar year. These potential projects should identify or create spreadable best practices in the IHS.  

The selected sites may receive funding for up to $100,000 based on the submitted request and justification. Proposals are due to the Office of Quality by September 30, 2024, and can be sent to Susan.anderson@ihs.gov. You can also email Susan Anderson with any questions about this opportunity. 

Newsletter Content Section Ribbon

The 2024 National Alzheimer's Virtual Summit​​​​​​

October 16th and October 17th 

UsAgainstAlzheimer's is renowned for its thought leadership and rich history of uniting people to discuss the challenges and groundbreaking advancements in the prevention, detection, and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The annual Summit exemplifies that commitment. 

This year, the aim is to further translate exciting progress and cutting-edge research into meaningful, actionable strategies for the Alzheimer's community.

To register for this event visit the Alzheimer’s Event Calendar

Newsletter Content Section Ribbon

Unsubscribe

IHS Alzheimer’s Program ~ Alzheimer’s Event Calendar
IHS Elder Care Listserv

IHSElderHealth@ihs.gov

Follow the IHS on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X, formerly known as Twitter, to see more of what the IHS is doing in your community and around the country.