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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Program

About Us

The Indian Health Service received first-time funding in 2021 to address the growing need for Alzheimer’s and dementia care in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Based on input from tribal and urban Indian leadership and communities, [PDF - 276 KB] the IHS Alzheimer's Program was created in 2022 to improve elder care, awareness, and caregiver support.

Vision

We envision optimized quality of life and longevity for older American Indian and Alaska Native people, their caregivers, and their families.

What we do

Alzheimer's Program diagram

Our work is designed around four priority areas:

  • Grants and program awards: We fund innovative, culturally relevant models of care to improve dementia services.
  • Education, training, and workforce development: We collaborate with agencies, tribes, organizations, and communities to offer a wide range of training and education opportunities.
  • Outreach, awareness, and engagement: We share information and updates through direct communication, events, news, and key observances to reach and engage with communities.
  • Data, technical assistance, and program support: We offer technical assistance, pilot new programs and tools, and help communities access resources and track progress to ensure informed decision-making.

Elder care

The Alzheimer's Program is key to our broader focus on elder care and working with tribes and urban Indian organizations to improve long-term services and supports for elders in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

To strengthen elder care, we also collaborate with key federal agencies such as:

  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
  • The Administration for Community Living (ACL)
  • The Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

These partnerships help enhance care and services for our elders, including those living with Alzheimer's and related dementias.

Additionally, IHS participates in important advisory councils, including:

  • The Department of Health and Human Services' Advisory Council on Alzheimer's Disease Research, Care, and Services (part of the National Alzheimer's Project Act)
  • The RAISE Act Family Caregiving Advisory Council

The Alzheimer's Program specifically contributes to our elder care initiatives by:

  • Addressing Alzheimer's disease and related dementia through grants, education, and support
  • Supporting workforce development with programs like GeriScholars and the Geriatric Nurse Fellowship
  • Engaging with communities to raise awareness and provide outreach for timely detection of dementia

With these efforts, we not only support the physical health of our elders but also their emotional and spiritual well-being. Through the work of the Alzheimer's Program, we continue to explore new ideas in long-term care and address key issues related to dementia care and elder support.