Elder Care Initiative

The Indian Health works in partnership with Tribes and Urban Indian Organizations to increase access to long term services and supports for elders and younger people with disabilities, and explores new opportunities and new ideas in long term care for American Indian and Alaska Native communities. IHS participates in the Department of Health and Human Services' Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Disease Research, Care, and Services as part of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA), in the RAISE Act Family Caregiving Advisory Council Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  and Collaborates with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the Administration for Community Living (ACL) and the Veterans Administration (VA), and other federal agencies to improve care and services for American Indian and Alaska Native elders.

IHS continues to support the emotional and spiritual well-being of American Indian and Alaska Native people, especially the elder population for well-being and recovery. Foundational ground work to identify and share best practices grew from a partnership with Johns Hopkins University on community prevention materials and establishing a website the provides COVID-19 related information for community members, health care providers working with elders. The IHS is committed to partnering with agencies across the federal government to address key program components tied to Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia, including workforce development and community engagement.

In FY 2021, for the first time ever, the Indian Health Service (IHS) received funding to address Alzheimer’s Disease. On March 31, 2021, the IHS Acting Director issued letters initiating Tribal Consultation and an Urban Confer on the new Alzheimer's Disease Initiative and IHS is consulting with Tribal and Urban Leaders on the use of this funding.