Alzheimer’s disease presents unique challenges within Indigenous communities. Washington State University (WSU) College of Nursing, is working in partnership with the University of Washington and the Indian Health Service (IHS) on a project to address these issues. Catherine Van Son serves as the co-director of this project.
The American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) population ages 65 and older is proliferating in the United States (U.S.). Among AI/AN populations, dementia of all types is under-recognized, underdiagnosed, and undertreated. Persons living with dementia (PLWD) often go unrecognized in the community, never seeking care, putting them at risk for financial exploitation, poor health outcomes, and accidental injury. Primary care providers and nurses frequently lack the knowledge or confidence to make the diagnosis or plan effective care, and ancillary health staff often lack knowledge of screening, recognition, and care management practices for PLWD and their caregivers. To address some of these issues, WSU received a five-year subcontract from UW and is partnering with the Indian Health Service (IHS) in developing Tribal, and Urban Indian Organization (I/T/U) training focused on understanding and respecting tribal cultures, values, and traditions: TRIAD – Training and Resources for the IHS on Alzheimer’s and Dementia content will incorporate adult learning principles and best practices for engaged learning through various delivery methods.
In partnership with University of Washington, Dr. Van Son is the co-director of the contract and will work with other WSU faculty, the Dean of the WSU College of Nursing Mary Koithan, and Dr. Rebecca Cooney from the WSU Carson School of Business. Dr. Van Son will bring her expertise through her 30+ years of clinical experience, education, and research on ethnogeriatrics and dementia. Committed to understanding older adults’ unique health challenges, her research explores the intersection of culture, chronic disease management, and non-pharmacological interventions. Her teaching and research efforts aim to improve culturally competent care, empowering others to meet the evolving needs of diverse older adults.
This contract aims to increase recognition, diagnosis, and management of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) by incorporating culturally tailored evidence-based interventions and best practices in training, education, and support for the national IHS community. Embracing a person-centered care approach for PLWD and their caregivers, cultural adaptations will include modifying materials that consider language, culture, and context that align with the cultural patterns, language, needs, and values of AI/AN communities. The desired impact is improving care and outcomes for AI/AN people with dementia and their caregivers.
