Professionals and Providers

A three-year demonstration grant component is included as a part of the Native American Caregiver Support Program. These competitively awarded grants are allowing Tribes to develop model caregiver support programs in Alaska, Hawaii, Montana, South Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin. Each of the demonstration grants are funded for $100,000 per year (FY 2001-2004).

Alu Like, Inc., Hawaii is developing a multifaceted Native American Caregiver Support Pilot Program consisting of a workshop, user friendly/culturally appropriate manuals, direct services, satisfaction survey and utilization surveys. They are developing a Caregiver Kit that includes end-of-life issues, a caregiver resource guide, and other topics as they are identified through needs assessments and group meetings. Preliminary results from a needs assessment conducted at the Caregiver Conference indicate that the vast majority of Native Hawaiian caregivers are female (90%), over half have been caregivers for more than two years, and nearly a third care for more than one individual.

Blackfeet Eagle Shield Senior Centers, Montana, is focusing on developing a network system for referrals under the “Caregivers Taking Care of Each Other” project. Network members include community programs and traditional medicine people. A state-wide directory of resources, a training manual, health and wellness information, and a video library is currently under development.

Central Council Tlinglit and Haida Indians Tribes, Alaska, are collaborating with the Cornerstone Home Health Services to develop a training program that reflects the unique needs and cultural values of the Native. A Caregiver Support Assessment on the services, barriers to services and belief and attitudes that utilization of support services by Native Elderly caregivers.

Confederated Salaish and Kootenai Tribes, Montana are developing a comprehensive service delivery program through a teamwork and consumer-centered approach. This will be accomplished by bringing all existing service providers together who provide in-home services to elders to brainstorm ideas and determine needs. A plan is being developed among the various agencies and programs for providing the available services available in a coordinated fashion. A Home Care Services Program Policy and Procedures and Home Care Attendant Handbook Manual will be developed.

Hana Community Health Center, Hawaii is developing a caregiver-training program for family caregivers and potential family caregivers through coordination with several organizations including Hale Makua, Maui Community College and Kula Hospital. They have provided 40 hours of training over a six week period and are following the training with monthly support groups. They plan to have a curriculum and training materials that can be shared with others.

Jamestown S’Klallam Tribes, Washington are using the Family Group Conferencing Model for providing caregiver support, including counseling services, support groups, and other support services. A manual is being redesigned based on empowering the family itself, including a section on how the rest of the family can support the primary caregiver.

Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin is coordinating a pilot statewide American Indian elderly caregiver system for caregivers caring for elders both on and off the eleven reservations throughout Wisconsin. Based on workgroup and other meetings with families on seven of the eleven Tribes, six goals for the project were in identified: 1) develop a resource manual and video targeted to the tribal populations; 2) develop a website and ListServ for caregivers; 3) develop/adapt a curriculum for caregiving in the home; 4) determine the future needs of family caregivers for further revisions of the resource manual; 5) create and implement a Family Caregiver Board to ensure future needs are met after the demonstration grant is over; and 6) ensure all Wisconsin tribal caregivers and elders have access to the resource manual through tribal, county, and state agencies. Multiple partners are involved in this project, including the Area Agencies on Aging, Senior Centers, and local tribal colleges and universities.

Rosebud Sioux Tribe, South Dakota, is expanding the availability of education and training in a multi-faceted manner that will address the psychological and physical needs of American Indian caregivers. Through collaborating efforts with the University of Colorado, Project Hope, Gatorade, Indian Housing, Catholic Family Services, Native American Advocacy and the Indian Health Service, access to counseling services, support groups, caregiver training, information, transportation and respite care is being provided. Assistance is being provided to the caregiver in making decisions and problem solving relative to their caregiver roles. The Rosebud Sioux Tribe is developing an effective and efficient data collections system to measure outcomes. A uniform reservation-wide assessment and information system to ensure quality of care and policy to support and strengthen family caregiving is planned.

South Puget Intertribal Planning Agency, Washington is coordinating with the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation and the Nisqually Indian Tribe to increase the level of coordination and leveraging of resources for caregiver support services for the Tribal elderly population within the Tribal service areas of Thurston, Pierce, and Grays Harbor Counties in southwest Washington State. The project is assessing the current status of caregiver support within the area, both through Tribal and non-Tribal programs. South Puget is identifying barriers to accessing these resources, including cultural, financial, and geographical barriers. Additional plans to develop and demonstrate a program model for maximizing the coordination and leveraging caregiver support resources that reflect the unique needs, circumstances and cultural values of the Tribal elders are forthcoming.