The Indian Health Service (IHS) Alzheimer’s and Health Promotion and Disease Prevention programs teamed up starting in 2024 as part of the “All Elders Moving” pilot initiative. Events were held in the Alaska, Albuquerque, Bemidji, Billings, Navajo, and Oklahoma IHS areas, reaching nearly 2,500 participants. 

These regional interactive events followed the success of a 2023 pilot with the IHS Oklahoma City Area Office, which held an elder-focused community event promoting physical activity and incorporating brain health and dementia content. The event aimed to increase dementia awareness and encourage staying active, getting preventive screenings, eating healthier, immunizations, and improving brain health. 

National public health campaigns help promote healthier behaviors among people of all ages, and events like these were created specifically to address the unique needs of elders and their families. Alberta Becenti, a public health advisor for the IHS Health Promotion/Disease Prevention Program, said it is essential that elders understand the importance of the following:

• Staying active to keep healthy

• Checking and managing blood pressure

• Getting regular health screenings

• Keeping up with vaccinations

• Learning about dementia and its signs

• Finding ways to improve brain health

According to a 2024 report from the Lancet Commission, people who can follow a healthier lifestyle have a lower risk of dementia. Research shows this also delays the onset of dementia and can increase life expectancy.

Bemidji Area Gets in On the Action

The IHS Cass Lake Service Unit (CLSU) in Minnesota hosted the area’s elder event in coordination with the National Indian Health Board's "Just Move It" campaign, a national campaign to promote physical activity for American Indian and Alaska Native people.

“CSLU volunteered to host an event held outside the hospital to engage the staff with patients, elders, and their family members,” said Lucinda Charleston, a health promotion disease prevention consultant for CLSU. “We wanted to get elders involved with physical activities.” 

More than 80 participants attended the event, which featured six educational booths and a station for checking vital signs such as temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. Hospital staff provided information on various health screenings and tests, including a focus on colorectal cancer detection. The team hosted a walk/run for all participants as part of the event, which included a giant inflatable walk-through colon to promote cancer screening. Nurses, social workers, lab techs, medical records personnel, physical therapy staff and CLSU leadership were on hand to man booths, answer questions, and engage with attendees.

“This was one event where everyone had a chance to learn about the importance of a healthy brain, healthy eating, and physical activities like chair exercises that every elder can do,” Charleston added. 

Events are planned for 2025 in the Portland, Billings, California, and Phoenix areas. 

(Pictured right: Elders participate in a walking event to increase activity and improve their overall health.)
 

May 12-15, 2025
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Seattle Airport
Seattle, Washington

This year’s theme, “Braiding Health: Weaving Together Health Care, Innovation and Community,” celebrates the power of collaboration in advancing health initiatives.

Highlights:

• Elder health and dementia training and technical assistance

• Demonstrations: Virtual dementia tour, Mini-Cog screening

• Networking Opportunities: Connect with dementia care champions, GeriScholars, and Nurse Fellows through poster sessions and meet-ups

• Breakout Sessions & Roundtable Discussions: Learn about important work across the Indian health system on dementia models of care, caregiving, brain health, elder health, community services, and more

The final agenda is still under development, but you can register, bookmark the conference website for agenda updates, and book your hotel room now.