Friday, April 4, 2025
4/4/2025
Nimiipuu Health Memory Care Program - The Memory Care Program with the Nez Perce Tribe’s Nimiipuu Health primary care clinic is a project working toward the development of a comprehensive and culturally sensitive dementia care program. The Nez Perce Tribe occupied the vast region of the Inland Northwest for more than 13,000 years and helped the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Located on our current reservation in North Central Idaho, persistent economic distress, high poverty and unemployment, lower educational achievement and lack of opportunities, as well as chronically under funding of our health care programs have led to a multitude of chronic conditions that place American Indian/Alaska Native's at higher risk for dementia. The clinical staff and community have a great need to learn about this ever-increasing condition and its associated challenges for loved ones caring for those with dementia. Improving the care and support for people living with dementia and their caregivers within our tribal communities is the goal of this project, and not just for our tribe, but all tribes. Developing a comprehensive and culturally sensitive program that provides education, elevates awareness, improves screening and diagnosis, creates comprehensive care plans and case management as well as culturally sensitive resources to support caregivers is a necessity. With initial Indian Health Service grant funding for dementia care, expanding upon activities already conducted such as the tremendously helpful internal and external collaborating partners, such as the Nez Perce Tribal Social Services department, the Nez Perce Tribal Language Program, the Nez Perce Tribal Education Department, Nez Perce Tribe Veteran’s Program, Nimiipuu Health Diabetes Program, Nimiipuu Health Community Health Department, Nez Perce Tribe Students of Success, KIYE Radio Station and the Lapwai School District will be possible. Partnerships also include the regional Alzheimer’s Association, Dementia Friends, and the Northwest Portland Indian Health Board. National colleagues such at the CDC and Alzheimer’s Association in our contribution to the Healthy Brain Initiative: A Roadmap for Indian Country also developed to carry the momentum to elevated overall dementia care. Having participated in the Community Health Representative Mini Cog IHS grant to train our Community Health and Memory Care Program staff, this will enable us to further expand our internal processes for comprehensive screening, case management development and clinical workflows. Leveraging our EHR to work for us to identify our high-risk patients to reduce risk of not only dementia, but all chronic disease that contribute to our overall poor health. Working internally with our Special Diabetes for Indians Program to especially educate and reduce risk for our diabetic patients would be an amazing feature. Nimiipuu Health has expanded third-party payments substantially in the last few years. Incorporating the billing component for sustainability and for being fiscally responsible is also an integral element. This will also be included in all clinical staff training and our business office staff. Lastly, partnering with our Circle of Elders to guide us in our developmental process by relying on their wisdom and knowledge to create the culturally competent and comprehensive program our elders and communities deserve. Creating a culturally competent best practices for dementia care would be an incredible contribution to Indian Country in which our ancestors would be proud.
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).