2026 IHS Video Series Strengthens Elder Health

The Indian Health Service (IHS) Alzheimer’s Program has released a new three-part video series. Each is designed to help clinics, care teams, community partners, and families in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Focusing on dementia detection, diagnosis, and advance care planning, the videos feature providers, staff, and family members who share tools, real-world lessons, and community-driven approaches.  

The series includes:

• Supporting Accurate and Timely Dementia Diagnosis in the Indian Health System
• Every Moment Matters: Timely Dementia Detection Helps Protect Our Stories and Our Loved Ones
• Advance Care Plans: Honoring Wishes and Traditions

Dr. Jolie Crowder, national elder care consultant for the IHS Alzheimer’s Program, said the videos reflect “a growing commitment across tribal communities to make dementia screening and diagnosis more accessible, more culturally grounded, and more responsive to the needs of families.” She noted that timely detection and advance care planning can “support loved ones with dignity.”

The first video shows how tribes and organizations can get involved with dementia programs. It features interviews with Dr. Crowder, Dr. Bruce Finke, Dr. Maria Bellantoni, Michelle Archuletta, and Rebecca Carillo. The second video explains how early detection helps protect family stories. In addition, it shares ways to strengthen relationships and support a caring community response. The third video focuses on advance care planning. It shows how cultural values, family traditions, and patient wishes can guide decisions about future care.    

“This educational series gives care teams clear, practical steps they can use immediately,” said Dr. Maria Bellantoni, IHS chief clinical consultant for geriatrics & palliative care. “Early recognition and planning can make a huge difference for patients and caregivers.”

These resources are available on the IHS Alzheimer’s Program website. Each video is also accessible on YouTube for easy viewing and sharing. Using them during staff meetings, community presentations, caregiver education sessions, and on social media can help raise awareness of dementia care in your community. 

Pictured: Dr. Christopher Piromalli and others are featured in Advance Care Plans: Honoring Wishes and Traditions.

​​​

Geriatric Nurse Fellowship: Clinical Impact
Improving Dementia Screening Confidence in Rural Health Care Settings 

Nicole Larsen, Michelle Mathison, and Patrick Kelly from Red Lake Hospital Behavioral Health recently participated in the Indian Health Service Geriatric Nurse Fellowship Program. Their project focused on staff and how prepared they felt to identify cognitive impairment in elders and help them get follow-up care.

Nicole is a case manager, Michelle is a recovery care coordinator, and Patrick is a psychiatric nurse practitioner. Together, they surveyed clinicians, nurses, pharmacists, and other hospital staff about comfort levels, knowledge gaps, and training needs.

Their goal was to better understand what staff needed to feel confident using cognitive screening tools and supporting elders with mild cognitive impairment or dementia.

Key findings:

• Many staff members were unsure how to identify cognitive impairment, with 62% reporting at least some discomfort.
• Only 13% of providers reported routinely screening for cognitive decline.
• Rural settings can make referrals and access to specialty services more difficult.
• Staff were open to more training and preferred a mix of in-person and on-demand options.

Because of the results, the team plans to provide training on assessment tools and ways to support elders with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. This work can help staff feel more prepared, improve early detection and support safer, more timely care for elders. 

To learn more about the Indian Health Service Geriatric Nurse Fellowship Program, visit the IHS Alzheimer’s Program website.