Grand ronde dementia services expansion project - the confederated tribes of grand ronde seeks to expand its culturally grounded dementia education and care program to address the growing needs of…

The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde received a $198,603 Cooperative Agreement award from the Department of Health and Human Services Indian Health Service under the Health Management Development Program (CFDA 93.228) effective September 1, 2025, through August 31, 2028. The project expands the tribe's culturally grounded dementia education and care services across its six-county service area in Oregon to address barriers to diagnosis, care, and support for tribal elders and family caregivers. This initiative aligns with the five national drivers of dementia care and includes: expanding wellness education for mid-life adults; enhancing home-based dementia screenings; implementing culturally attuned care plans; integrating dementia services into tribal health infrastructure; and establishing a Tribal Caregiver Champion Mentorship Network.

The award supports targeted training for both professional caregivers in the tribe's three adult foster homes and non-paid family caregivers utilizing a culturally responsive curriculum. By building on the tribe's existing successful dementia prevention and early detection initiatives, this project delivers a holistic, community-driven approach to improve health outcomes for tribal elders with dementia and ensure accessible, culturally respectful support services for caregivers throughout the lifespan.

Grand ronde dementia services expansion project - the confederated tribes of grand ronde seeks to expand its culturally grounded dementia education and care program to address the growing needs of tribal elders and caregivers across its six-county service area. Following the tribe's federal restoration in 1983, tribal elders continue to face geographic, systemic, and cultural barriers to dementia diagnosis, care, and support. The tribe currently operates three adult foster homes, provides a wide range of elder services, and has already launched a successful dementia initiative focused on prevention, early detection, and caregiver support. Building on these efforts, this project will implement targeted activities aligned with the five national drivers of dementia care: increasing awareness, improving early diagnosis, delivering interdisciplinary assessments, providing person-centered care, and supporting caregivers. Activities include: expanding wellness education for mid-life adults, enhancing home-based dementia screenings, implementing culturally attuned care plans, integrating dementia services into tribal health infrastructure, and launching a tribal caregiver champion mentorship network. Special attention will be given to training both professional caregivers in adult foster homes and non-paid family caregivers, with a culturally responsive curriculum. Through this holistic, community-driven approach, the tribe will improve outcomes for elders living with dementia and ensure culturally respectful, accessible support for caregivers across the lifespan.