Northwest Tribal Dementia Project
This project ended on June 30, 1998. See project update below.
Project Description
The purpose of the Northwest Tribal Dementia Project is to provide resources to NPAIHB member tribes to serve American Indian and Alaskan Natives diagnosed with dementia and their caregivers. The objectives of this quarter-time project arew (1) to develop an Indian-specific curriculum and (2) to provide training to primary and ancillary care providers.
Project Services
The NPAIHB’s Elders Committee serves as the Advisory Group for the NTDP. They meet during regularly scheduled NPAIHB meetings. They are working with a consultant to develop an Indian-specific curriculum for dementia training. Training sessions sponsored by the NTDP are scheduled for:
Project Update
On June 30, 1998, the project completed its activities having fulfilled all project objectives which include training and curriculum development.
Training
J. Neil Henderson (Oklahoma Choctaw), Ph.D., conducted three training sessions in April and June. Dr. Henderson, who has been studying Alzheimer’s in Indian Country for over twenty years, is featured in the video, “Memory Loss among American Indians: The Caregiving Experience,” developed by the Office on Aging in Montana. The video is available through the Alzheimer’s Association.
Another Project training session on April 30 and May 1 featured Sharon Wolf (Lummi) who coordinates activities for the Alzheimer Family Resource Center. Richard Camicioli, MD, talked about screening and early detection as well as differential diagnosis of dementia. Dr. Camicioli is with the Alzheimer’s and Geriatric Neurology Clinic and Research Center at the Oregon Health Science University.
Curriculum
Bev Ricker, project consultant, has completed the first phase in developing an Indian-specific dementia curriculum. Because of the limited number studies on Alzheimer’s in Indian Country, there is a dearth of information on the American Indian/Alaskan Native population regarding Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. The curriculum includes the following modules:
1. American Indians/Alaskan Natives and Alzheimer’s Disease
2. Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Forms of Dementia
3. Alcohol and Dementia
4. Diagnosis, Treatment, and When to Refer
5. Communication and Feelings
6. Challenges to Care: Common Alzheimer’s Behaviors
7. Helping Families when a Loved One Has Dementia
8. Successful Caregiving
9. Resources in the Community
10. Teaching Others about Dementia
The curriculum is a work in progress, not ready for distribution to tribes. Once it reaches tribes, it will evolve to become a more useful tool for addressing the challenges of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
Project Staff
Ruth Jensen (Tlingit), MS, is project director. In December 1993, she began working for the NPAIHB as health educator for the Hanford Tribal Service Program. She also directs the Women’s Health Promotion Program and the Northwest Tribal Injury Prevention Project.
