Saturday, September 7, 2024
9/7/2024
As the proportion of older adults in the United States is projected to increase dramatically in the coming decades, it is imperative that public health address and maintain the cognitive health of this growing population. Between 2014 and 2060, the number of American Indian and Alaskan Natives aged 65 and older living with dementia is projected to grow over five times. Consequently, the impact of an increased number of older adults living with dementia extends well beyond those older adults and affects the vitality of the whole community. Within the Grand Ronde Tribal community, there exists an increasing population of Tribal Elders and in turn, an increasing need for dementia related prevention, education, and treatment. The Tribe will implement a dementia education and care program to create a culturally-grounded, dementia-capable community to address dementia risk factors, improve early diagnosis and treatment, and support caregivers throughout the Tribal community. The first planned activity which will accomplish the project goal will be the implementation of a healthy living initiative to address dementia risk factors, centered on changing health behaviors for those who are at-risk and the broader community. This initiative will implement educational campaigns and materials and healthy living workshops addressing physical and social-emotional health. Second, the Tribe will implement an early diagnosis and treatment initiative through initiating memory assessment screenings through Community Heath. These screenings will allow for an initial assessment of cognitive impairment and can be performed in the Elder’s home or place of preference, reducing barriers to diagnosis and treatment. These screenings will be connected to the Elder’s primary care provider, where specialized follow-up and referrals will be initiated as needed to further screen and treat early signs of dementia. In addition to these screenings, the Tribe will create monthly memory cafes for Elder’s who are diagnosed with dementia to create a culturally-relevant community of care. Lastly, the Tribe will implement a Caregiver education and support initiative to address caregiver issues and resource connection within the Tribal community. The Tribe will create monthly family and caregiver support groups, resource fairs, and educational trainings to increase the competency and support for Tribal caregivers, and allow for holistic care of the caregiver, the Elder, and the family as a whole. The Tribe will accomplish these objectives through a Dementia Prevention & Care Specialist who will be responsible for the overall project deliverables and daily coordination of grant activities.
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).
