Elder Care Information for Providers

These resources offer valuable information and support for understanding, diagnosing, and managing Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Indian Health Service

• Alzheimer's Association Professional Resources Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – Guidelines, continuing education, tools and training specific to various fields
• Alzheimers.gov Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – The federal government portal to information and resources on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias including a section for professionals
• The IHS Alzheimer's Program Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – Works to improve dementia care for American Indian and Alaska Native elders and their caregivers through grants, workforce training, outreach, and technical assistance
• National Institute on Aging (NIA) Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Resources Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – Information about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and caregiving needs related to Alzheimer's and other dementias

Elders may be vulnerable to various forms of abuse, including physical, sexual, emotional, or financial harm. They may also be vulnerable to neglect when they can’t meet their own basic needs. These resources offer tools, information, and services to help prevent, identify, and address elder abuse and neglect.

• Forensic Health Care Resources and Locator Map – Indian Health Service resources and training for health care professionals addressing forensic health care needs, including sexual assault, domestic violence, and elder abuse
• National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA) – Resources, information, and tools to help prevent and address abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults
• National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – Information to prevent elder mistreatment
• NICOA Elder Equity Program Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – Promotes awareness of elder abuse, including financial exploitation, scams, and fraud

For older adults, a fall can trigger a series of events that ultimately result in declining health and a loss of independence. Fortunately, most falls are preventable. These resources offer fall prevention tips, programs, and resources from IHS and partners.

• ACL Falls Prevention Program – Information on evidence-based programs, Falls Prevention Awareness Week, studies, and reports
• CDC Older Adult Fall Prevention Information – Includes data and research, resources, trainings, and tools including for the CDC's Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths and Injuries (STEADI) Initiative
• IHS Injury Prevention Program – Resources to support injury prevention efforts, reduce injuries, and improve public health, including the Tribal Injury Prevention Cooperative Agreement Program (TIPCAP)
• NCOA Falls Prevention for Professionals Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – NCOA and The National Falls Prevention Resource Center share information on falls prevention programs, grant opportunities, articles, and tools

The resources and tools below are designed to help American Indian and Alaska Native communities develop and enhance long-term services and supports for elders.

• ADvancing States Long-Term Care Initiative Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – Provides resources and support to improve long-term care systems for older adults and people with disabilities
• Longtermcare.gov Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – Offers information on planning and paying for long-term care
• Long-Term Services and Supports Technical Assistance Center Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – Guides American Indian and Alaska Native programs in planning and implementing programs to care for their elders and people with disabilities
• NICOA Tribal Continuum of Care National Resource Center Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – Offers tools and resources to support tribal communities in developing long-term care

Palliative care helps improve the quality of life for patients and their families by addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual needs during life-threatening illnesses. The resources below provide guidance and tools for palliative care planning and delivery:

• CAPC Palliative Care Tools and Training for Clinicians Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – Offers training, tools, and technical assistance to health care professionals and organizations
• CMS Hospice and Palliative Care Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – Provides information on palliative and hospice care in Indian Country
• Commonly Prescribed Medications in a Population of Hospice Patients Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – An article from the American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care (March 2014) detailing commonly used medications in hospice settings
• NIA Hospice and Palliative Care Information Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – Shares FAQs, resources, videos, and articles regarding hospice and palliative care