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New Workgroup Strengthens Support for Caregivers of People Living with Dementia
Many people living with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia rely on unpaid caregivers—often family members or community members—for daily assistance. Recognizing this essential role, the Indian Health Service (IHS) has prioritized caregiver support in dementia care. Building on this commitment, the IHS Alzheimer’s Program recently launched a workgroup to strengthen caregiver resources in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
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The workgroup was formed in response to guidance shared during tribal consultations and urban confer sessions.
Meeting 12 times over six months, the workgroup collaborated with the IHS elder health team to review evidence-based interventions (EBIs) in dementia care. They refined criteria to help IHS and tribal and urban Indian Health Organizations (I/T/U) select suitable EBIs that benefit caregivers.
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Key outcomes include:
- A prioritized list of recommended EBIs for caregivers.
- Guidance on elements for dementia caregiver support, including culturally adapted EBIs and respite care options.
- Defined “caregiver coaches” roles tailored to American Indian and Alaska Native populations.
- Practical recommendations for future IHS programs, training, and resources
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The workgroup also drew on the federal Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage (RAISE) Act Family Caregiving Advisory Council report, revised in 2024 to reflect up-to-date data and recommendations. This report guides healthcare providers, service organizations, and public health programs to better support caregivers at both community and system levels.
“The (RAISE) report offered us a framework to start organizing our thinking and planning,” said Dr. Jolie Crowder, IHS National Elder Services Consultant for the Division of Clinical & Community Services (DCCS). “It raised the visibility of caregivers in our daily work and added public accountability for our efforts.”
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Geriatric Nurse Fellowship: Clinical Impact
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Sharma Presents a Project on Sexual Health in Elders Due to a Rise in Positive Cases of Sexually
Transmitted Infections (STI).
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Jennifer Sharma is a supervisory public health nurse at the Wewoka Indian Health Center in Wewoka, Oklahoma. As part of the Indian Health Geriatric Nurse Fellowship program, participants like Ms. Sharma develop projects or activities presented at the close of each Geriatric Nurse Fellowship (GNF) cohort.
Sharma said there is little to no literature or education materials focusing on the 65-and-over population, a needed change.
Clinical Pearls from her project were:
- Elders are thankful for education focused on their age group on sexual health.
- Elders are not fully aware of STIs they may be at risk for and need to be tested for.
- Elders are more open to discussion of STIs than perceived.
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Applications for the upcoming GNF cohort have been extended to Nov. 25. For more information on this and future opportunities, visit the Indian Health Geriatric Nurse Fellowship Program page on the Alzheimer’s Program website.
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NIA Provides Resources on How the Aging Brain Affects Thinking
According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), the brain controls many aspects of thinking, including remembering, planning, and organizing. These abilities affect how well we do tasks and whether living independently is in someone’s best interest.
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These changes in thinking are common as people get older. For example, older adults may:
>> Be a little slower to find words and recall names,>> Have problems with multitasking, and
>> Experience mild decreases in the ability to pay attention.
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According to the NIA, despite the changes in cognition that may come with age, older adults can still learn new skills, form new memories, and improve their vocabulary and language skills.
As the primary federal agency supporting and researching Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, NIA provides multiple resources about brain health and aging. Visit the NIA website for additional information.
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