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

Accomplishments

Alzheimer's Program Timeline showing milestones rom 2021 through 2024.

The IHS Alzheimer's Program has grown steadily since its first congressional appropriation in 2021. Early milestones included Tribal consultation and the launch of initial grants in 2022, a partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association, and the start of two dementia-focused ECHO training series.

In 2023, the program expanded its impact through new grants, Mini-Cog® screening pilots, the Geriatric Nurse Fellowship, and initiatives to strengthen geriatric emergency care and public awareness.

In 2024, the program developed workforce training contracts, held brain health promotion events, formed a dementia caregiving workgroup, and and recieved national recognition through an Office of Quality Innovation Award.

The Alzheimer's Program continues its work to reduce risk factors and improve the quality of life for those living with dementia through 2025 and beyond.

Tribal art band

Key accomplishments include:

  • Grant funding: Provided over $7 million in grant funding to enhance dementia care, services, support, and outcomes through our Models of Care Grants.
  • Annual support: Awarded funding each year since the program's inception to improve clinical care, services, and outcomes for people and communities affected by Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia.
  • Partnership with Alzheimer's Association: Signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Alzheimer's Association to strengthen collaboration.
  • Increased technical assistance: Expanded our capacity for providing technical assistance to IHS, tribal and urban Indian health organizations improving dementia care in their communities.
  • Indian Country ECHO Program: Partnered with the Indian Country ECHO program of the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board to start two new dementia-focused ECHO series.
  • Pilots and Initiatives:
    • Mini-Cog© screening: Successfully completed two Mini-Cog© screening pilots, leading to the implementation of Mini-Cog© screening and the production of provider training videos.
    • Geriatric Nurse Fellowship: Piloted and successfully launched the Geriatric Nurse Fellowship Program to help nurses gain skills and knowledge for leading elder care programs.
    • Indian Health Geriatric Scholars Program: Piloted and successfully launched the Indian Health Geriatric Scholars Program, with GeriScholar projects already making significant impacts.
  • Awards and recognition: The Alzheimer's Program Elder Health team received the 2022 IHS Director's Award for both the team and 15 individual GeriScholars.
  • Emergency department accreditation: Supported nine emergency departments in receiving geriatric accreditation to improve emergency care.
  • Enhanced communication tools: Designed and launched new communication tools, including updated Alzheimer's Program webpages, newsletters, and social media content, to improve accessibility to user-friendly information and resources.

For more information, review the National Alzheimer's Project Act's National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease: 2024 Update.Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

Visit the Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, & Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act Advisory Council Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  page to view IHS updates in the RAISE report.