In September, the Indian Health Service (IHS) Elder Health team released the Dementia Care Pathway. It’s a new guide created with input from IHS, tribal, and urban Indian health programs to improve dementia care in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

Designed with feedback from health professionals, the pathway provides a clear, step-by-step process for dementia diagnosis. It helps providers recognize early signs of memory or thinking changes, select and administer screening tests, and understand and explain results in ways that are both accurate and easily understandable. 

“Tools like this matter because they help improve both medical care and cultural understanding,” said IHS Chief Clinical Consultant for Geriatrics & Palliative Care, Dr. Maria Bellantoni. “In Native communities, dementia is sometimes not noticed or found too late. This can happen for many reasons, like trouble getting health care, living far away from services, or not feeling comfortable talking about memory problems.”

The pathway offers key guidance for providers, including:

• Conducting evaluations with care and sensitivity.
• Making informed decisions about treatment and next steps.
• Supporting families through education, open conversations, and thoughtful care planning.

Guidance on management and treatment may be added in the future, as well, Dr. Bellantoni said. 

To help providers put this resource into practice and learn more about its step-by-step approach, the IHS Alzheimer’s Program will introduce the Dementia Care Pathway during a webinar on September 19. Whether someone is new to memory screening or refining their approach, this tool offers practical, culturally sensitive support across all stages of care.

Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate World Alzheimer’s Month and join us on for this special IHS webinar unveiling the new Dementia Clinical Pathway.

​​​​​​Geriatric Nurse Fellowship: Clinical Impact

Fall Risk Assessments Prevent Patient Falls 

Falls Prevention Week, held Sept. 22 – 26, reminds us that small changes in routine care can prevent harm. Indian Health Geriatric Nurse Fellowship (GNF) participant Patty Taylor is a registered nurse at the Southern Bands Health Center in Elko, Nevada. Patty’s fellowship project supports Public Health Nurses (PHNs) in performing fall risk assessments in homes and community settings, aiming to prevent serious falls through early detection, education, and referrals.

She used the Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries (STEADI) Algorithm to assess each patient’s fall risk. Based on assessment results, patients received practical information about home safety, medications, and balance exercises. Key takeaways from her project include:

• Standard ways of identifying fall risks were not sufficient on their own.
• Many factors, such as fear of falling, poor balance, unsafe home environments, and medication use, can increase the risk of falls.
• Medication-related issues were the most common reason for patient referrals to fall prevention services.

Guided by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and IHS GNF mentors, the project is thriving as PHNs at the Southern Bands Health Center begin using the STEADI assessment in home and community visits. Visit the Alzheimer’s Program website to learn more on GNF.

​​​​​​Free Dementia Clinical Support for Health Care Professionals

The new Indian Health Service (IHS) Dementia Clinical Support Line offers free, on-demand help for IHS, tribal, and urban Indian health providers. A team of dementia care specialists is available Monday – Friday, 12–8 p.m. ET, to answer clinical questions, provide culturally sensitive guidance, and support dementia care planning. 

This service is open to physicians, nurses, pharmacists, advanced practice providers, and other clinical staff. Download the flyer and share it with others who may benefit from this resource. 

Call 1-833-998-4897 or email uw-triad@uw.edu to connect with an expert.