Progress update
Development of the next edition — renamed the Healthy Brain Initiative: Road Map for American Indian and Alaska Native Peoples — is underway.
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The Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI) Road Map for Indian Country (PDF) is a guide for American Indian and Alaska Native leaders to learn about dementia and start discussions throughout their communities.The guide highlights data from Indian Country that help define the challenge of dementia across American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
Developed as a companion to the Healthy Brain Initiative State and Local Public Health Partnerships to Address Dementia: The 2018-2023 Road Map, the Road Map for Indian Country is a conversation starter. This guide is intended to further discussion among American Indian and Alaska Native leaders on how to best serve the needs of their older adult population and their families and to enhance the quality of life for those affected by Alzheimer's and other dementias.
HBI Road Map for Indian Country
Eight public health strategies can help American Indian and Alaska Native communities learn about and begin planning their response to dementia.
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The population of older American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) is growing quickly. But greater age brings increased risk for Alzheimer's and other dementias. In fact, from 2014–2060, the number of Native Americans aged 65 and older living with dementia is projected to increase fivefold. People living with dementia gradually need more help caring for themselves. Family members, from the young to the old, play a vital role in caring for relatives with dementia. This care may include managing medications, bathing and feeding, paying bills and cleaning, and help going to appointments or social or spiritual events.
The impact of dementia is felt by multiple generations, but there are ways to lessen this impact. As tribal health and aging leaders become concerned about the growing problem of dementia, they can build on strengths in their cultures and traditions, which provide unique opportunities to improve the lives of older adults living with dementia, their families and their communities.
The development of the next HBI Road Map for Indian Country is underway. To stay up to date on the progress,
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Public health strategies to care for an aging population
The HBI Road Map for Indian Country (PDF) suggests eight public health strategies as a starting point for discussion, deliberation, and cross-sector collaboration. Tribal leaders are encouraged to discuss these strategies with their community and involve members in planning and implementing these community-wide approaches. Collectively, the strategies aim to improve health and well-being in Indian Country, address cognitive impairment, and help support caregivers of people living with dementia.
One strategy in the new Road Map is educating tribal community members about brain health. Native American leaders can readily implement this strategy by using the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials' Healthy Heart, Healthy Brain communication materials on the connection between brain health and heart health.
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Learn more about areas essential to addressing Alzheimer's from a public health perspective.
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Dissemination Guide (PDF) contains quick and ready media engagement templates to help spread the word about the Road Map for Indian Country. The guide includes media templates, sample social media posts, talking points and key facts.
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Planning Guide (PDF) will help public health professionals select Road Map for Indian Country strategies to begin implementation. The guide contains easy-to-use worksheets and resources to prioritize, plan and promote Road Map strategies with American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
To help Native American communities begin the conversation about dementia, these one-page handouts can help start the discussion:
Success stories: The Road Map in practice
Three success stories highlight how tribes can utilize the HBI Road Map for Indian Country to improve health outcomes:
Developing the Road Map for Indian Country
The Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI) Road Map for Indian Country was shaped by many experts and leaders throughout Indian Country who provided guidance, reviewed documents, and shared their experience addressing dementia and helping caregivers. This expert input helped shape the Road Map for Indian Country into a guide that American Indian and Alaska Native communities can tailor and generate their own solutions based on the community's priorities and unique heritage.
Road Map for Indian Country Implementation
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State University of New York-Plattsburgh |
To support caregivers in the St. Regis Mohawk Nation, an Alzheimer's Navigator delivers education and coordinates support groups throughout the area. Additional services (including respite, transportation assistance, and caregiving training) are offered. |
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Banner Alzheimer's Institute |
The Banner Native American Outreach program increases awareness of Alzheimer's and other dementias among Arizona's American Indian communities, and works to establish better connections among tribal health organizations and urban Indian communities. |
Road Map for Indian Country Resources
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