Alzheimer's Training and Education

Indian Health Geriatric Scholars (GeriScholars)

The Indian Health GeriScholars pilot was developed with the support and collaboration of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Rural Health and utilizes the highly successful VA Geriatric Scholars Program model that has built geriatric expertise into the primary care workforce over the past decade.

The Indian Health GeriScholars pilot provides participating IHS, Tribal, and Urban Indian Health clinicians with an individual intensive learning track for professional continuing education, including:

1. A week-long intensive training in geriatrics from an approved Geriatrics Board Review course
2. A mentored geriatric improvement project at their local facility
3. A clinical practicum or mentorship in geriatric practice
4. Ongoing education, training, and peer support as an Indian Health GeriScholar

For the 2023 pilot year, the Indian Health GeriScholars Program accepted applications from physicians, nurse practitioners, physician associates, or pharmacists sponsored by their IHS, Tribal, or Urban Indian Health Program.

Visit the GeriScholars Program page for more information.

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The IHS Alzheimer's Grant Program works with IHS, Tribal, and Urban Indian Health programs and clinicians to increase skill and expertise in recognizing, diagnosing, assessing, and managing the care for persons living with dementia and in supporting their caregivers.

Online Training and Education Resources

Alzheimer's Association Continuing Education

The Alzheimer's Association offers continuing medical education on Alzheimer's and dementia Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov , including free CEU options, designed to help physicians, radiologists, neurologists, nurses, advanced practice nurses, physician assistants, psychiatrists, and other clinicians to remain current in the field.

HRSA Dementia Training Curriculum

HRSA's comprehensive dementia training curriculum Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  provides a module-based overview of dementia, including the needs of caregivers. Each module includes a presentation, references, and a faculty guide. Continuing Education Credits are currently available but may be discontinued during a period of curriculum update and revision.

TRAIN Learning Network

TRAIN is a national learning network that provides thousands of quality training opportunities for more than 2 million professionals who protect and improve the public's health. Train hosts online learning Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  developed by the VA, CDC, and others, available through a search for "dementia" or "Alzheimer's" in their course catalog. Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  CME/CEU available

Dementia ECHO Program

Hosted monthly by Indian Country ECHO, the case-based Dementia ECHO Program Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  is a learning opportunity designed to support I/T/U clinicians and caregivers to strengthen their knowledge and care around dementia for tribal patients. CME/CEU available.

Dental Courses

The IHS Continuing Dental Education site offers a catalog of continuing dental education (CDE) for IHS, tribal, urban, and contract dental personnel only. The CDE catalog currently includes two Alzheimer's focused courses, available through a search for “dementia” in the catalog. Users must have or create a login to access this content.

Other Training and Education Resources

Indian Health Geriatric Scholars

The Indian Health Geriatric Scholars (GeriScholars) pilot has been developed with the support and collaboration of the VA Office of Rural Health and takes as its model the highly successful VA Geriatric Scholars Program that has built geriatric expertise into the primary care workforce over the past decade.

The Indian Health GeriScholars pilot will provide participating IHS, Tribal, and Urban Indian Health clinicians with an individual intensive learning track for professional continuing education, including:

1. A week-long intensive training in geriatrics from an approved Geriatrics Board Review course
2. A mentored geriatric improvement project at their local facility
3. A clinical practicum or mentorship in geriatric practice
4. Ongoing education, training, and peer support as an Indian Health Geriatric Scholar

In the pilot year, the Indian Health GeriScholars Program will accept physicians, nurse practitioners, PAs, or pharmacists sponsored by their IHS, Tribal, or Urban Indian Health program.

Recruitment for 2022 closed on August 5; future application cycles will be announced on this site.

VA Rural Interdisciplinary Team Training and Addressing Behavioral Challenges in Dementia for Rural Tribal and IHS Clinics

The VA Office of Rural Health supports two on-site training opportunities for rural Tribal and IHS clinics serving older Native Veterans: Rural Interdisciplinary Team Training (RITT) and Addressing Behavioral Challenges with Dementia (ABCD). The Rural Interdisciplinary Team Training (RITT) component of provides on-site and virtual training for rural healthcare providers and staff to enhance interdisciplinary care with team-based solutions, with a special focus on care of older Veterans. RITT audiences include the full healthcare team, including clerks, primary care providers, social workers, pharmacists, psychologists, rehabilitation specialists, and others who provide healthcare for older people.

RITT offers both full- and half-day trainings, accredited for 6.5 and 3.75 hours of CME/CEUs, respectively. Addressing Challenging Behaviors in Dementia (ABCD), which is also accredited for 6.5 and 3.75 hours of CME/CEUs, respectively, can be added to RITT training. ABCD focuses on brain health, recognizing dementia, and tips for supporting caregivers of people living with dementia. ABCD audiences include public health nurses, community health nurses, care managers, and community health representatives; other clinicians are encouraged to attend. For more information email Josea Kramer, PhD or the IHS Alzheimer’s’ Grant program.