Road Map for Indian Country

American Indian and Native Alaskan elderly people

Although racial and ethnic disparities exist in life expectancy in the U.S., American Indians and Alaska Natives, like other populations, are living longer. And because Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are more common with advanced age in any population group, gains in longevity will increasingly affect Indian Country with an increased health burden. Older people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias progressively depend on caregivers and community resources as they become less able to care for themselves. As tribal leaders who deal with health and aging become concerned about the growing problem of dementia, they can build on strengths in their cultures and traditions, which provide unique opportunities to improve the lives of older adults living with dementia and to support their families and communities.

To offer a guidebook for tribal leaders, the Alzheimer’s Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in consultation with the International Association for Indigenous Aging, created Healthy Brain Initiative: The Road Map for Indian Country [PDF – 10 MB]. Designed to support discussion about dementia and caregiving within tribal communities, this publication for Indian Country encourages a public health approach as part of a holistic response.