Indian Health Council Partners with UCLA to Help Families Care for Loved Ones with Dementia at Home

Families caring for a loved one with dementia at Indian Health Council (IHC) clinics benefit from an established, culturally grounded dementia care program that continues to strengthen its approach. As an Indian Health Service (IHS) Alzheimer’s Program grantee since 2022, IHC is refining and expanding its model through a partnership with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care (ADC) Program. Together, the teams are enhancing personalized care plans for patients and caregivers, with a shared goal of helping families safely support loved ones at home.

Dr. Dan Calac, IHC chief medical director, fostered a relationship with UCLA. Today, Cognitive Wellness Nurse Rollena Guachino continues that work. The partnership brings UCLA's care-coordination model to IHC. The IHC team of health care professionals gathers baseline information on each patient and reviews caregiver needs to build individual care plans.

The team then connects families with practical resources like the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model, which can cover up to 72 hours of respite care through Medicare. They also use the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). These resources help to keep patients in their homes where they feel safe and comfortable. 

Through the UCLA partnership, IHC staff are building skills in:

• Identifying dementia-related illnesses.
• Understanding medication side effects.
• Recognizing delirium.
• Determining chronic conditions that look like a decline in brain health.

As the mentoring partnership grows, IHC is building deeper clinical expertise, stronger caregiver support tools, and a more confident, coordinated dementia care model. UCLA's guidance helps the clinic refine its assessments, strengthen care planning, and expand the resources families rely on. 

The UCLA ADC Program works with sites across the country on implementing their dementia model of care. To learn more about what it takes to bring the ADC program to your clinic or health care system, visit its website. For more information about the IHC and its partnership with UCLA, contact Rollena Guachino at rguachino@indianhealth.com. 

Pictured: Dr. Dan Calac, Indian Health Council (IHC) chief medical director, spends time with a patient at his home.

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IHS Elder Team Site Visit

The Indian Family Health Clinic (IFHC) in Great Falls, Montana, has joined the IHS Alzheimer’s Program as a new Models of Care grantee. The team is beginning to shape its approach to dementia care for patients, caregivers, and the community. 

During its September 9–10 site visit, the IHS Alzheimer’s Program team met with IFHC leaders and clinical staff. IHS reviewed grant progress and challenges, identified technical assistance needs, and brought clinical and program staff together to discuss implementation. 

The Weissman Hood Institute provided a listening session for IHS and the grantee on local dementia research and community needs. After the visit, Dr. Maria Bellantoni led a Dementia Care Pathway mentoring session to help the team fit the pathway into routine care. 

IFHC is looking forward to next steps in their project, which include exploring an elder committee, caregiver training options, and a caregiver needs assessment.

The IHS Alzheimer’s Team can consult with IHS, Tribal, or Urban Indian Organization clinical staff or answer any questions you may have about improving dementia care in your clinic. Email ihselderhealth@ihs.gov for more information.

Pictured: IHS Alzheimer’s Grant team recently visited the Indian Family Health Clinic (IFHC).