Friday, April 4, 2025
4/4/2025
Stronger Together - Dementia Awareness Project - ABSTRACT SUMMARY Northern Valley Indian Health Stronger Together- Dementia Awareness Program Approximately one in five AI/NA adults aged 45 and older report experiencing memory or thinking problems that might be a sign of dementia. As California has the largest population of older adults and the largest percentage of residents who identify as American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) alone or in combination with another race at 14%, it compelled Northern Valley Indian Health to partner with California Area Indian Health Services (CA IHS), Department of Environment Health Services (DEHS) and initiate a dementia awareness program. The first year of this partnership focused on building and adopting the program. Followed with training NVIH staff on signs of Dementia and how to support caregivers taking care of patients with Dementia. By the second year, NVIH was able to offer workshops for caregivers, additional resources for dementia patients and preliminary surveys indicated that patients were implementing lifestyle changes. Unfortunately, the pandemic restriction may put holds on in person training and support. NVIH recognizes that dementia is a missed diagnosis and there are not many resources, therefore, we are applying for funding to formalize a dementia awareness program. We have defined a long-term goal that will guide us in serving the needs of our Native communities with short-term goals for years 1 and 2 that will help us with immediate assessments while we find an innovative way of offering coaching for caregivers and support workshops. Long-term Goal: By the end of the project, increase the diagnoses of older adults with signs of dementia by 40% with a cognitive screening tool. OBJECTIVE # 1 Implement care coordination services to assure that referrals made by primary care providers are completed for 40% of the elders’ age 45+ who screened and show signs of dementia with a cognitive screening questionnaire. OBJECTIVE # 2 Increase the support and coaching for caregivers to individuals with dementia by 50%. We appreciate the opportunity to apply for funding to formalize a dementia awareness program for our Native communities, and sincerely thank you for your consideration of our request.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).