Quality Innovations Project in Phoenix Creates Elder Care Program
The Phoenix Indian Medical Center’s (PIMC) Primary Care Medicine Clinic (PCMC) was recently selected to implement an Indian Health Service (IHS) Quality Innovations Project for the 2024-2025 cohort. Funding is provided to IHS, Tribal, and Urban Indian (I/T/U) sites that
address factors affecting overall health.
As part of its project, PIMC created an Elder Care program to help provide the additional care needed for the growing elder population. It began in April 2024 under the direction of PIMC Internist and Geriatrician Dr. Maria Bellantoni.
The PIMC Elder Care Clinic provides complete geriatric and cognitive assessments to primary care patients aged 65 years and older experiencing memory loss and other geriatric conditions. Services provided by the Elder Care Clinic include:
- Treatment recommendations to primary care providers
- Patient and family education on cognitive impairment
- Case management and care coordination
The clinic works with the PIMC team to detect, diagnose, and manage dementia in the primary care setting. The Elder Care team has also educated the PIMC primary care staff about different types of cognitive impairment and the tools used to evaluate memory loss.
“Through the Innovations Project, the team plans to expand on these education efforts and offer dementia training to all members of the PIMC community, including staff, clinicians, patients, and caregivers,” said Bellantoni.
Pictured: Elder Care Geriatrician Dr. Maria Bellantoni, left, and her team members, Elder Care Certified Medical Assistant Thaylia Quanimptewa and Elder Care Case Manager Rebecca Carrillo after winning the “Excellence Demonstrating Support of PIMC Core Values Award” for their work in creating the Elder Care clinic.
IHS Mini-Cog Screening Video Released - Guide to Integrate
The Indian Health Service Alzheimer's Program produced four brief training videos on using dementia screening tools with American Indian and Alaska Native patients.
The most recently released video captures Physician Dr. Dan Calac providing information on the Mini-CogŠ screening tool.
He shares what is tested with the Mini-Cog, what to do with the results, and who can use this screening tool. This video is for health care and community health staff, including providers, nurses, pharmacists, dental staff, CHRs, public health, and medical assistants.
Calac is an American Indian physician from the Indian Health Council, Inc. (IHC).
Older Americans Month Spotlight
D. Richard Wright is an elder of the Bear Clan, Pillager Band from the Leech Lake Indian Reservation. A U.S. Army veteran, licensed therapist, spiritual advisor, and long‐standing leader, Richard remains devoted to community healing. He supports American Indian families through his work at the Indian Health Board Clinic and as a chaplain for those in the Hennepin County jail.
In his 50s, he earned a seminary degree—another step in a lifetime of service. For Richard,
aging isn’t about slowing down but stepping more fully into who he is and how he gives back.
His advice to younger generations: “Follow your dreams. Especially work on education. Read
and learn.”
Read more about Richard and others who show us that aging can deepen our roles in
community and care—not limit them.
