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Indian
Elder Desk networks to provide greater access to service
Interested in learning more about Indian
Elder Desk?
Call 1-800-882-6262
TDD/TTY users please call 1-800-627-3529 and ask for the
phone number listed above.
Indian elders face unique challenges.
According to the 1990 Census, approximately 36 percent of
American Indian elders live in poverty. This is the highest
rate among all minority or non-minority elders.
Long-term care is one of the major issues faced by Indian
elders. Since Indian elders are members of a sovereign
nation, their health care system is independent. In
Minnesota, there is only one tribally-operated extended-care
facility.
Limited financial resources coupled with limited
awareness of resources mean American Indian elders face
strong barriers to much needed services.
Minnesota Board on Aging has an Indian Elder Desk that
serves American Indian elders on the state's 11 reservations
and in the urban communities.
The Indian Elder Desk focuses on:
- Building awareness of and improved accessibility to
services for American Indian Elders.
- Training and educating American Indian Elders and
their communities about aging programs. The Indian Elder
Desk tries to weave a web of support for Indian Elders
using a variety of resources, including national,
tribal, state and regional.
- Providing information about available Indian and
non-Indian resources for the aging, including the
"American Indian Elder - Community Resource
Guide."
- Partnering with American Indian communities in
Minnesota developing "Wisdom Steps", a
preventive health program for American Indian Elders.
This program encourages elders to take simple steps to
improve their health. It focuses on health screenings,
health education and healthy living activities and
develops model projects in each area.
- "Medicine Talk" addresses better
communication between elders and health
professionals and encourages the review of
traditional, prescription and over-the-counter
medicine usage.
- "Medicare in American Indian Community"
provides education about Medicare and seeks to
identify Medicare eligible elders and assist them with
applications and enrollment in programs.
- "We Walk Many Together" promotes
participation in walking and exercise programs.
Other resources:
Reservations
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