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Aging in Indigenous Communities: An Overview

'It is critical to appreciate the diversity across and within these communities.'

In Focus
By R. Turner Goins

Dilapidated wooden sign the reads "Entering Pine Ridge Reservation. Land of the Ogala Siouz. Red Cloud- Black Elk - Crazy Horse. No hunting without tribal permits."

Why Older American Indian and Alaska Native Disparities Persist and Possible Paths Out

Health statistics and advice for practitioners with AIAN clients.

In Focus
By Margaret P. Moss

Blythe Winchester, wearing a face covering, standing in the lobby of a large building.

Passion and Purpose: Cherokee Geriatrician Blythe Winchester on Choosing Geriatrics

Her patients help her to reconnect with her tribe and to incorporate her indigenous heritage in her work.

In Focus
By Alison Biggar

Rebecca Owl Morgan explains the process of canoe construction to visitors at the Oconaluftee Indian Village. Credit: Gwen Bushyhead

Personal Reflections on Indigenous Elders as Repositories of Culture

‘The best part was hanging around the elders as they quietly showcased their brilliance and artistry.’

In Focus
By Rebecca Owl Morgan

An elder Indian woman teaching younger people to weave

The Older American Indian: Yesterday and Today

As indigenous populations move to urban centers, Native cultures are threatened.

In Focus
By Larry Curley

Sun setting behind trees in the American West with mountains silhouetted in the far distance

Climate Change Makes Acting on the Elders’ Lessons Critical

‘Our ancestors survived so their teachings and knowledge could survive.’

In Focus
By Nikki Cooley

An Indigenous family outside, smiling at the camera. Family includes two middle-aged people, one older woman, a teenager and a youth.

Generativity Holds Many Positive Effects for AI/AN Older Adults

Indigenous cultural generativity can preserve values, improve well-being and contribute to healthy aging.

In Focus
By Jordan P. Lewis

Justice status in focus with a lawyer working at his desk blurred in the background

Tips for Enhancing Access to Legal Help for Tribal Elders

New n4a report identified legal assistance as a top need for Native American aging programs.

In Focus
By Sarah Galvan

Lauren Artress: A Life in Sacred Motion

An authority on labyrinths, she has written four books and trains labyrinth facilitators.

By Eleanor Vincent

An older Black man with his two grown children looking over finances

Student Debt Weakens Retirement Security; COVID-19 Aggravates the Situation

Student loan debt is the fastest growing debt since 1992.

By Barbara Schuster

Older man with his daughter, smiling at camera

Asian American and Pacific Islander Caregivers Need Our Support

Rising hate crimes and cultural beliefs mean long-term, intense caregiving for this group, with little external support.

From Our Sponsors
By Heather Chun and Ocean Le

A Hispanic man with his father who is using a wheelchair in a park

The Growing Pressures Facing Unpaid Family Caregivers

‘The government and employers need to step up their support so that caregivers can continue to work.’

From Our Sponsors
By Jean Accius

Traffic on a residential street in Biltmore, MD. City in the distance, with cards parked along the side of the street, lined by brick residential buildings. A man is crossing the street with his dog and one car is double parked.

A Better Coordinated, More Participatory System That Links Healthcare to Where People Live Is Needed to Stave Off Disparities

The SASH system can be scaled across entire states for large benefits.

By Nancy Rockett Eldridge

Picture taken from behind a Latina direct care worker with her hand on the shoulder of her older Latina client

Unique Tucson Effort to Bolster Direct Care Workforce

Outreach, training and support enticing to potential paid caregivers.

From Our Sponsors

A doctor talks with an older patient. Both are Black women.

Delivering—and Measuring—Healthcare That Matters for People with Complex Healthcare Needs

New way of measuring healthcare could deliver person-driven outcomes.

By Sarah Hudson Scholle, Caroline Blaum, Erin Giovannetti and Kali Peterson

Malnutrition in Older Adults: What to Watch for and How to Help

The most efficient way to address malnutrition is to prevent it.

By Rachel Bayse

Better Care, Better Jobs Act Desperately Needed for Aging Well

Do your part to help by contacting Congress.

By Peter Kaldes

Large red brick building with white columns and a gold dome.

Challenging Lessons Chart Career Paths

Scholarship spurs students who were family caregivers to continue in the field professionally.

an older Asian woman in her home looking at the camera

Commonsense Updates to SSI Can Help 3.3 Million Americans Pull Themselves Out of Poverty

Income and eligibility rules for SSI have changed little since it was signed, in 1972.

By Kate Lang