NICOA’S
Monograph Series Volume 3 - Number 1
Geriatric Education Centers in Indian Country: Resources for Improving the Quality of Care of American Indian and Alaska Native Elders Bruce Finke, M.D.
A
merican Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) elders are a rapidly growing subset of the AI/AN population. There are approximately 300,000 elders identified in the 2000 Census, an increase of 26 percent over the decade. We expect the oldest old (85 plus) to increase at the same high rate. This blessing brings challenges. The Indian health system, comprised of the Indian Health Service, tribal and urban health programs, is now called upon to care for more elders with more complicated health status than ever before.
National Indian Council on Aging