The Indian Health Service is committed to supporting efforts that raise awareness about elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation while promoting the safety, dignity, and well-being of American Indian and Alaska Native elders. Protecting elders is a year-round responsibility that requires awareness, education and community involvement. By identifying the warning signs and available resources, communities can help protect elders and ensure they receive the respect and support they deserve.
It is important to recognize that experiences of intergenerational and historical trauma, shame, guilt, and fear can impact an elder’s decision to seek medical help, guidance, and healing. Forced relocation and efforts to erase American Indian and Alaska Native identities have taken a lasting toll on personal health, well-being, and trust in the federal health system, with impacts that has continued across generations.
Preventing elder abuse takes more than awareness alone. It also requires that healthcare providers, caregivers, and communities have the knowledge, skills, and resources to recognize elder abuse, respond appropriately, and connect elders with support services. These efforts are especially important for elders living with dementia or other conditions that may increase vulnerability to abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
The IHS Forensic Nursing Consultation Program’s contract with Texas A&M University Center of Excellence in Forensic Nursing has provided over 4,470 continuing nursing and medical education hours (CE/CME) to our fellow IHS, Tribal, and urban Indian organization nurses, advance practice nurses, and physicians. Indian health system staff are actively engaged in strengthening their medical forensic knowledge and integrating their skills, to not only provide enhanced trauma-informed, patient-inclusive care, but to also better understand the complexities of historical trauma and intergenerational trauma.
Through continued awareness, education, training, and community engagement, we can prevent elder abuse across the communities we serve.
If you have been a victim or suspect elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation,
call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 to be connected to local help.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 911 or the local police for immediate help.
Helpful Resources:
- International Association for Indigenous Aging
- Southwest Center for Law & Policy (Legal training and technical assistance to tribal communities), funded by the Department of Justice
- Tribal Continuum of Care National Resource Center, funded by the Administration for Community Living
- IHS Division of Clinical & Community Services (DCCS) Elder Care Initiative and Alzheimer’s and Dementia Program
- Native American Elder Justice Initiative - NAEJI | Home and Elder Justice Trainings
Provider Resources:
- Forensic Healthcare | Indian Health Service (IHS)
- Forensic Health Care and Caring for American Indian and Alaska Native Patients and Medical Forensic Examination Considerations guidebooks are available for download, and include details related to Caring for American Indian and Alaska Native Elders.
- Contact Us and Stay Connected through the IHS Forensic Health Listserv – Sign Up | LISTSERV Email Groups (ihs.gov)
- Texas A&M University Center of Excellence in Forensic Nursing is offering forensic healthcare-related training and courses for our IHS, tribal, and urban Indian organization providers (courses such as forensic examiner training, clinical skills labs, webinars, and more — CEs/CMEs are available). Visit their website to register for courses.
