Natives Engaged in Alzheimer’s Research (NEAR) Research Project 1 (RP1): INdians Transforming Alzheimer’s Care Training (INTACT)
Status: Current
Grant Start: 08/01/2021
Grant End: 04/26/2026
INTACT
INdians Transforming Alzheimer’s Care Training
The rapid growth of elderly American Indian and Alaska Native populations signals an increasing number of Native Elders at risk for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. With an emphasis on timely diagnosis, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has called for more research and resources to offer Native Elders compassionate, culturally-appropriate, and scientifically-based care.
Our goals for INTACT are to:
INTACT was one of several programs that partner with clinics to provide trainings to primary care physicians as they work to improve care for elderly populations with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Currently, this was the only training and education program designed specifically to care for American Indian and Alaska Native Elder populations. It was based at the University of Washington Cognition in Primary Care program.
With partners in Alaska, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Washington, INTACT provided:
1) A collaborative program, partnering with primary care physicians at clinics serving American Indian and Alaska Native populations, meant to improve a) Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias diagnoses; and b) Quality of care for American Indian and Alaska Native people.
2) A culturally-appropriate adaptation of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias educational materials for American Indian and Alaska Native families.
Resource
The Dementia Journey: A Guide for Family and Care Partners
Caring for a person living with memory loss or dementia is a journey, one that can last for many years, and is filled with twists and turns. The journey is not a straight path through stages—each person with Alzheimer’s or other type of dementia may progress differently and in their own time. Family members who are companions on this journey will need information, support and guidance along the way.
Most families report they are not prepared for life with dementia and that they would welcome some type of guide book or road map. This document is designed to be just that. It provides a look at the big picture and the path ahead—and offers direction and tips about what to expect, what decisions lie ahead, and what steps to take.
The Washington State University INTACT Team would like to thank: The Tired Moccasins Program of the Nebraska Urban Indian Health Coalition, Tribal citizens, Ponca Tribe of Nebraska and other parties for kindly sharing the photographs and quotes featured in this brochure. Their contributions made this brochure possible.
INTACT News
Patient and Provider Focus Groups
Funding Sponsors
- Federal - National Institutes of Health
- National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Communities Involved
- Tribal communities
IREACH Programs
Team Member(s)
-
Patrik Johansson, MD, MPH
Project Co-Lead -
Barak Gaster, MD
Project Co-Lead -
Clemma Muller, PhD, MS
Methods Lead -
Jessica Williams-Nguyen, PhD, MPH
Epidemiologist -
Duncan Amegbletor, PhD
Research Coordinator -
Madison Ramos
Junior Research Project Manager -
Angie Suh
Research Coordinator
Heath Research Initiatives
- American Indian and Alaska Native
Associated Projects
- Natives Engaged in Alzheimer’s Research (NEAR)
- Natives Engaged in Alzheimer’s Research (NEAR) Biospecimen Core
- Natives Engaged in Alzheimer’s Research (NEAR) Methods Core
- Natives Engaged in Alzheimer’s Research (NEAR) Recruitment and Engagement Core
- Natives Engaged in Alzheimer’s Research (NEAR) Research Project 2 (RP2): ‘IKE Kupuna (Elder Wisdom)
- Natives Engaged in Alzheimer’s Research (NEAR) Research Project 3 (RP3): Cognition After Obstructive Sleep Apnea Among Native American People (CATNAP)