Running head: Dementia and Native Americans 1

Dementia and Native Americans

Maribel Calvillo

Chamberlain College of Nursing

NR222: Health and Wellness

Summer Session II, 2016

Running head: Dementia and Native Americans 2

Dementia is a devastating dysfunction of the mind. This a progressive disorder that

causes the individual to lose their cognitive function and cause them to forget not only their

family and friends, but also how to care for themselves independently. Although forgetfulness is

a common symptom, it does not definitely mean that they have dementia. Actually, dementia is

the most common form of Alzheimer’s disease (Healthy people 2020, 2016). A study was done,

for the first time ever, to show how prevalent dementia was in the Native American population.

The results showed that Native Americans were dementia was 5 percent higher than non-Indian

population (Nauman, 2015). There are varying factors that would lead to this result and once

identified, the Native American population should be educated on what they can do to reduce

those risk factors.

With any disorder, the best way to treat dementia is to correctly diagnose it, so that it will

not be confused with other mental disorders that cause loss of cognitive functioning. Some

treatable conditions that cause loss of function include medication side effects, chronic

alcoholism, some brain tumors and infections, B12 deficiency, dehydration, depression and

delirium (Healthy people 2020, 2016). According to Healthy people 2020, 2016, some risk

factors include age, gender, family history and access to a primary care provider. After age sixty-

five the risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease doubles every five years. Women are at higher

risk than men. And researchers have found nineteen new genes that are related to Alzheimer’s

disease. For minorities, including Native Americans, they have a hard time acquiring a primary

care and they often go undiagnosed if they have the mental disorder already.

Some additional risk factors associated with dementia include diabetes, depression,

hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. In a group study they followed 4,543 Native American

adults that were 64 years old and older. In that group that had depression had increased risk of
Running head: Dementia and Native Americans 3

dementia by forty-two percent (Nauman, 2015). In another study it shows that depression was

higher in men and women with diabetes. They have also found that treating depression improved

overall daily functioning and individual’s become more compliant to exercise regimen. These

improvements lead to better control of their diabetes. Another study was done where they

followed diabetic patients for ten years and had found that forty to sixty percent had a greater

risk of dementia compared to Asians, whites and Latinos (Garrett, Baldridge, Benson, Crowder,

and Aldrich, 2015).

Another problem with Dementia is how Native Americans perceive this disorder and

what is stopping them from seeking care until it is too late. With symptoms associated with

dementia like progressive memory loss, it is often perceives in the Native American culture as a

normal consequence of aging. This often makes them believe nothing can be done to help them

and this was just inevitable (Garrett et al., 2015). And they might have had a negative experience

with health care system in the past and this could also contribute to them not wanting to seek

help.

Native American population should be educated about how dementia is an illness and we

should help them understand the prevalence. This way they can seek for help earlier and increase

the affected individual’s quality of life as the illness progresses (Garrett et al., 2015). When they

seek for help too late in the illness progression, they often have multiple chronic disorders. This

can complicated the medical management of these conditions, which would require the need for

coordination of different specialists. As Healthy People 2020 had said, “Lack of diagnosis of

dementia can seriously reduce a person’s access to available treatments and valuable

information.”
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The Alzheimer’s Association has given ten tips to help reduce the risk of dementia. They

explain how the brain is an organ to take care of as much as you would your heart or stomach.

One tip was to engage in physical activity that increases blood flow and heart rate. Studies have

shown that being active reduces cognitive decline. They have also mentioned take a class at any

age in life reduces cognitive decline (Nauman, 2015).

Some more ways to reduce cognitive decline include quitting smoking, protecting your

head from physical injury, eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, stay socially active, and

challenging the mind often. Also if there are any symptoms of depression or even stress, they

should seek medical attention and see what can be done to manage or treat those symptoms

(Nauman, 2015).

Another important factor is to establish trust among the Native American community.

They need to know that medical professionals are there to help them and educate them on

whatever medical dilemma they may be in. Past experiences may hinder them from seeking

medical care. In order to have a better outcome with illnesses like dementia, they need to seek

help earlier before it progressively gets worse with time.

Many intercorrelating factors lead to dementia in the Native American population. With

them being a minority, they do not have much access to medical care or may not want to go. It is

up to us to educate them on how dementia is not a normal part of aging and things can be done to

reduce the risk of having getting it. Promoting good health practices such as exercise, eating

balanced meals and smoke practices are a few ways to prevent this illness. Educating the

population about early diagnosis is essential in treating the illness before it progresses to severe

stages.
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References

Healthy People 2020. (2016, August 4). Dementias, Including Alzheimer's Disease. Retrieved

August 07, 2016, from https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-

objectives/topic/dementias-including-alzheimers-disease \

Garrett, M. D., Baldridge, D., Benson, W., Crowder, J., & Aldrich, N. (2015). Mental Health

Disorders Among an Invisible Minority: Depression and Dementia Among American

Indian and Alaska Native Elders. Gerontologist, 55(2), 227-236.

doi:10.1093/geront/gnu181

Nauman, T. (2015, July 28). Study shows Indians have higher dementia risk. Retrieved August

07, 2016, from http://www.nativetimes.com/index.php/life/health/11847-study-shows-

indians-have-higher-dementia-risk