CROW ELDERCARE These recommendations are from the Crow tribe in Montana program for tribal members with Alzheimer's Disease.

• "Specific programs were sometimes influenced by cultural norms and implemented in unusual ways. For instance, adult day care became family Bingo. Respite care became help with a variety of tasks (housekeeping, laundry, errands) because families do not want to be relieved of hands-on-care. Additionally, Native American culture is family oriented and not age segregated. Service activities must be open to intergenerational involvement. ... There is a lack of knowledge about dementia among Native American providers and families. In general, Native American culture accepts a variety of elderly behavior as appropriate. Early dementia symptoms are sometimes explained away as an elder becoming childlike in preparation for death. In the recent past, few Native Americans lived to be elderly. Consequently, many Native Americans have little experience with an elder in the family. Not understanding dementia as a disease makes it difficult for families to ask for help."

The Crow Eldercare project emphasizes eight key points about serving American Indian elders.These include: intergenerational care - involving children, parents and grandchildren in providing services, flexible scheduling and informal communication. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - for the entire six-page booklet on the Crow Eldercare program, click here.

Medical considerations when working with American Indian elders - an article on two major issues in elder health - exercise and proper use of medication. Reprinted from Spirit Lake VR News, by permission. Did you know that physical inactivity has a higher correlation with coronary heart disease than smoking, obesity or high blood pressure? American Indians tend to get less exercise than non-Indians and this trend is worse the older one gets. Read this article for some practical recommendations.

American Indian’s Final Transition: Life to Death - A view on Hidatsa/Crow traditions surrounding death, dying and family.