The Indian Health Service’s (IHS) Alzheimer’s Program would like to honor the contributions of older adults who “Flip the Script on Aging.” The 2025 Older Americans Month (OAM) theme focuses on changing how society perceives, talks about, and approaches aging. It encourages us all to challenge stereotypes and dispel misconceptions.

We highlight American Indian and Alaska Native people who devote their time and long-standing, continuing careers to improving health services for Native communities across the U.S. 

Michelle Archuleta (Paiute-Shoshone, San Juan Pueblo/Tewa) lives in Phoenix, Arizona, and serves as the National Community Health Program lead for the IHS Community Health Representative Program. She started in health care more than 25 years ago as the Health Promotion Coordinator for the Tuba City Service Unit.

As a woman in her 60s, Archuleta has always “flipped the script” in life by forging her own path. 

She attributes healthy aging to her meaningful public and community health work, a lifelong passion for movement and wellness, a strong commitment to her family, and never shying away from a challenge. She’s also been able to express creativity in her work, which she thinks reflects in and from the beauty she sees around her. 

Michelle reminds us not to be so fixed on any specific thing – to stay flexible and open-minded. “It’s about taking a chance and opening yourself up to life’s opportunities.”

Alberta Becenti (Navajo) is a public health advisor with IHS in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She leads the IHS Health Promotion and Disease Prevention program and is “flipping the script on aging” in all the best ways. She has stayed energized for over two decades working at IHS by making it her mission to build innovative partnerships to address complex public health issues like commercial tobacco exposure and cancer prevention that benefit the IHS system and her own community.  

While she isn’t quite ready to retire, Alberta says she will explore volunteer work or a part-time job to remain active and connected with her community when the time comes. She reminds us that “every life stage brings new chances to connect, give back, and grow.”  

D. Richard Wright is an elder of the Bear Clan, Pillager Band from the Leech Lake Indian Reservation. He is a U.S. Army veteran, licensed therapist, and longtime community leader. He is an expert in indigenous spiritual health. As a spiritual advisor and Elder in Residence at the Indian Health Board of Minneapolis, his work centers on healing and supporting Native people. Now in his 70s, he continues to play an active role at the Indian Health Board Clinic, including working on the IHS dementia grant and as a chaplain for the Hennepin County jail. For Richard, aging isn’t about slowing down. It’s about fully stepping into who he is and how he serves others.

This month and all year long, join us in honoring older adults’ contributions, exploring the many opportunities for staying active and engaged as we age, and highlighting the opportunities for purpose, exploration, and connection that come with aging.

​​​​​Photo 1: Michelle Archuleta (Paiute-Shoshone, San Juan Pueblo/Tewa) 
Photo 2: Alberta Becenti (Navajo) 
Photo 3: Richard Wright (Bear Clan, Pillager Band from the Leech Lake Indian Reservation)