Kenaitze Indian Tribe Creating Key Connections for Patients and Caregivers

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia can be complex and challenging. The Kenaitze Indian Tribe, an Indian Health Service (IHS) Alzheimer’s Program grantee in southcentral Alaska, is easing the stress of caregiving and improving overall well-being by connecting dementia patients and their caregivers to critical resources, significantly impacting local families.

The Tribe has solidified its commitment to caregiver support by using the IHS Models of Care for Addressing Dementia grant to fund a new position in its Tyotkas Elder Program. This role connects elders with a dedicated advocate who helps secure household assistance, organize respite care, and access adult day programs. These services ensure that elders thrive and stay safe in their homes while caregivers gain much-needed reprieve and support.

“It’s an overwhelming need for connection for those living with a dementia diagnosis, as well as their loved ones who care for them,” said Tina Svec, the program’s advocacy supervisor. “This position allows us to assist in navigating all areas of an elder’s needs.”

An elder caregiver found a lifeline through the program when connected to the Central Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Group, a local organization that meets monthly. The program also referred her to respite services to help ease her caregiving responsibilities.

“This un’ina (the Dena’ina word for ‘those who come to us’) cares not only for her daughter who has dementia but also cares for her husband and their special needs grandson,” Svec said. “Another elder could not need these support services more.”

For the Kenaitze Indian Tribe, these efforts reflect a deep respect for elders and a strong dedication to creating a future where patients and caregivers feel supported and connected.

Pictured above from left to right are: Elder Advocate Elizabeth Solie, Advocate Supervisor Tina Svec, Elder Advocate Bobbie Carl and Elder Advocate April Oglend during a recent elder trip to Seldovia, Alaska in September.

Martin and the project team learned that a major issue is that many patients take their prescribed medications but don’t know what they are or how they work. This can lead to some patients taking multiple medicines for the same health issue prescribed by different doctors. Medication education during the AWV empowered patients to play a more active role in talking to their providers about their medications. This education helped reduce the number of drugs prescribed for the same health issue. 

To improve the care for older adults, their health system has hired three full-time Registered Nurse (RN) Case managers, a clinical pharmacist, and a social worker. These staff will work as a team to complete Medicare AWVs for patients and assist them with chronic care management. 

For more information on the Indian Health Geriatric Nurse Fellowship Program, visit the Alzheimer’s Program website. 

Pictured above right, Geriatric Nurse Fellowship participant Lawana Martin.

Alzheimer’s Association: Research and Progress​​​​​

There is exciting progress in Alzheimer's and dementia research that is creating promising new treatments for people living with the disease. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved medications for Alzheimer's. 

These fall into two categories:

• Drugs that temporarily ease some symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.

• Drugs that change disease progression in people living with Alzheimer's.

Find additional information on recent Alzheimer’s and brain research milestones.