Indian Health Council’s Mobile Medical Unit Increases Access to Care and Builds on Cognitive Health Initiatives
Indian Health Council (IHC) Inc. utilized funding from the 2022 Models of Dementia Care grant to enhance access to dementia screenings and establish a case management system. In September 2024, the non-profit Tribal Health Care Organization received a second round of 3-year funding to build on its earlier work.
The Indian Health Service (IHS) Alzheimer's Program grant recently helped purchase a new Mobile Medical Unit.
"The mobile unit will allow us to reach patients on some of our geographically remote reservations. These patients often lack the resources to get to the clinic due to transportation, gas money, or other issues," said John Keller, RN, and cognitive health & wellness nurse who recently retired.
The Mercedes Sprinter is designed for rugged terrain. It has an exam table, a wheelchair lift, a mobile vaccine clinic, and a laboratory for on-site testing. One of its best features is the ability for IHC staff to update a patient's electronic health record in real-time, ensuring continuous communication and care coordination.
IHC is using the customized van as a mobile clinic to visit people in their homes or communities. They conduct screenings, like the Mini-CogŠ, along with elder safety checks.
(Pictured: Rollena Guachino, FNP, and John Keller, RN, discuss a patient chart inside the new Mobile Medical Unit.)
It is an important new resource for promoting IHC's programs while offering clinical services directly in the field. It also provides a focal point for tabling events at tribal halls and gatherings, allowing IHC to provide educational and resource materials to the community. While providing face-to-face education, IHC will continue working with a Public Health Nurse, Community Health Representative, and elder navigator to maintain and grow family relationships and support caregivers.
"We feel very confident that this will enhance our ability to meet the community's needs through screening, educational outreach, and awareness," Keller added.
With this new mobile medical unit, IHC is breaking down barriers and ensuring that health care reaches every corner of its community. For more information about Indian Health Council services, visit its website.
Alzheimer’s Models of Care Grant Site Visit: Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation
In March, the IHS Elder Health Team conducted a site visit with the Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation (TCHRCC) to foster collaboration and explore the impact of their new IHS Alzheimer’s grant.
TCHRCC is a 73-bed referral medical center serving a vast area, including the Navajo, Hopi, and San Juan Paiute Reservations.
Located in the western Navajo Nation, Tuba City welcomed the IHS team, showcasing its expanding hospital. The team was impressed by initiatives like dedicated nurses developing clinical pathways for dementia care and telehealth options for diagnosing dementia.
The TCHRCC project team is co-led by a neurologist and their Ambulatory Care Program Director, who have a special interest in enhancing access to specialized care and services. The Elder Health Team provided technical assistance and discussed Tuba City’s plans for its innovative dementia care model.
Pictured above: Staff from the IHS Elder Health Team and members from the Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation.
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