Recorded presentation

Alice Park, MPH, Maile Taualii, MPH, Shelley Lawson, MPA, and Ralph Forquera, MPH. Urban Indian Health Institute, Seattle Indian Health Board, PO Box 3364, Seattle, WA 98114, 206-324-9360, alicep@uihi.org

Background: Little is known about the long-term care (LTC) needs of urban American Indian/Alaska Natives (AIAN). Although the majority of AIAN now live in urban areas, formal LTC services for AIAN elders are lacking. Objective: To assess the LTC needs of urban AIANs residing in a major U.S. city. Methods: We used focus groups and a survey of elders for this needs assessment. Participants were age 55+ living in King County with a recent visit to an urban Indian health organization or recruited through word of mouth. Thirty-two elders participated in the focus group discussions and 198 elders participated in the survey. Results: Forty-five percent of elders rated their health as fair or poor. AIAN elders were less likely to be physically active compared to elders of all races nationwide and suffered from multiple health conditions. Forty percent reported needing assistance with any Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) 15% for any Activity of Daily Living (ADL). Number of health conditions, IADL limitations, ADL limitations and gender were found to predict LTC service use. Number of IADL limitations was found to predict need for LTC services. Eighty-four percent of elders preferred living in their own home and 53% preferred an AIAN LTC facility. Sixty-three percent intended to stay in the area rather than return to the reservation. Conclusion: The findings suggest significant unmet need for LTC services for AIAN elders living in an urban area. Urban Indian organizations should be looked to as coordinating centers for providing LTC services.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the value of assessing the long-term care needs of urban American Indian and Alaska Natives for program planning and development.
• Describe methodology for conducting an elders needs assessment.
• Describe unmet need for long-term care services for urban American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Keywords: American Indians, Long-Term Care

Related Web page: www.uihi.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation