Community Elders Shape Dementia Care Program at Grand Ronde 

The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde (CTGR), an Indian Health Service (IHS) Alzheimer’s Program Models of Care grantee, places elder voices at the center of its efforts to enhance dementia care. By actively engaging with and listening to community elders, CTGR’s efforts reflect the values of the people they serve and help to better meet their needs.

The CTGR Health and Wellness Department’s Community Health Team developed the Dementia Care Program as part of its broader goal to improve the health and quality of life for tribal members. This program, a key component of CTGR’s Healthy-Living Initiative, focuses on reducing dementia risk and enhancing overall well-being—and it’s directly shaped by elder feedback.

Pictured is the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Health and Wellness Department Community Health Team.

The Dementia Care Program is built on culturally grounded principles and organized around three main objectives:

• Providing support for tribal caregivers.
• Improving care quality through a caregiver network.
• Connecting elders with resources that promote early detection and diagnosis of cognitive issues.

Alisha Parks Shell, CTGR's community health and adult foster care manager, highlighted the importance of understanding local elders' thoughts, hopes, and desires. “Our commitment to building this program because we listen and ask is well-received, understood, and adopted by the community,” she said, emphasizing how this approach created long-term sustainability. 

In addition to the Dementia Care Program, CTGR has expanded its outreach capacity with funding from the IHS Alzheimer’s Program. This expansion allows the team to engage directly with the community, performing home visits, wellness checks, and case management. The Dementia Program also hosts events that distribute educational materials on brain health and dementia, increasing awareness of risk factors and preventative measures.

Prioritizing elder input ensures CTGR’s Dementia Care Program remains rooted in the community's culture, values, and needs. The team goes beyond the office, meeting elders where they are most comfortable and ensuring their voices continue to shape the future of their care.

In November, the Indian Health Service Alzheimer’s Team visited Santo Domingo Pueblo in New Mexico to collaborate with the Community Health Representative (CHR) Program and Kewa Pueblo Health Corporation. The visit focused on enhancing dementia care through the Alzheimer’s Models of Care grant, which helps equip providers with essential dementia management tools. The CHR team is dedicated to empowering caregivers and fostering connections. 

The team toured Santo Domingo Pueblo’s villages, experiencing the beauty of cultural sites, historical landmarks, and agricultural traditions. The community’s warm hospitality and commitment to supporting those affected by dementia showcased the strength of their language and culture, highlighting a hopeful future for dementia care in the region.  

Upcoming Events​​​​​

Specialized Aging Support: Providing Care for Those with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities at High-Risk and Living with Dementia

December 9, 2024
3:00 – 4:00 PM Eastern

This webinar will share the experiences of the ARC Jacksonville Specialized Aging Support Program, as well as the services and supports developed for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The ARC is funded with a cooperative agreement from the Administration for Community Living’s Alzheimer’s Disease Program Initiative (ADPI).

Visit the IHS Event Calendar for more information on this and other upcoming events.