Caring for Native American Elders Pilot Project

Caring for Native American Elders

Toni Tripp-Reimer, PhD, RN, FAAN
Principal Investigator
University of Iowa
College of Nursing
toni-reimer@uiowa.edu

Overview:

Purpose: This pilot project was part of a larger research program to design, implement, and evaluate a model for family conferences for frail Native American elders who are at risk of maltreatment because chronic and debilitating illnesses have forced them to become dependent on younger family members. The purpose of this two phased pilot project was to develop, pilot, and assess the feasibility of a large scale implementation of an intervention, the Family Care Conference (FCC). In the first phase, background and contextual information was generated to ground the implementation and evaluation of the FCC intervention. The second phase involved the implementation of the FCC and its subsequent evaluation.

Aims: Analysis was aimed at: (a) exploring the current meaning and practices of addressing elder maltreatment among Native American elders on a Montana reservation, (b) identifying cultural norms for communicating and showing respect for the ‘right way’, (c) determining comparative merits of group vs. individual interview formats, (d) identifying the key dimensions and variables in planning, implementing and evaluating the FCC intervention, and (e) refining the FCC model as appropriate.

Methods: Using a descriptive, exploratory design data was collected from multiple sources including guided interviews (individual and group), observation (direct and participant), and documents in the public domain or project generated.

Team:

	Patti Holkup, PhD, RN Co-Investigator Montana State University College of Nursing Missoula Campus pholkup@montana.edu

	Emily Matt Salois, MSW, ACSW Co-Investigator piegan@montana.com

	Clarann Weinert, SC, PhD, RN, FAAN Co-Investigator Montana State University College of Nursing cweinert@montana.edu

Dissemination:

Publications

Holkup, P. (2003). Native American elder mistreatment: A community concern. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Iowa, Iowa City.
Holkup, P. (2004). Intervention research with a Native American community: Using a community-based participatory research approach [Abstract]. Nursing Science: Working toward a healthier nation [CD]. Washington, DC: National Congress on the State of the Science in Nursing Research.
Holkup, P., Tripp-Reimer, T., Salois, E., & Weinert, C. (2004). Community based participatory research: An approach to intervention research with a Native American community. Advances in Nursing Science, 27(3), 162-175.
Salois, E. (2004). The family care conference: A culturally anchored approach to address Native American elder abuse [Abstract]. Nursing Science: Working toward a healthier nation [CD]. Washington, DC: National Congress on the State of the Science in Nursing Research.
Tripp-Reimer, T. (2004). Native American perspectives on elder maltreatment [Abstract]. Nursing Science: Working toward a healthier nation [CD]. Washington, DC: National Congress on the State of the Science in Nursing Research.
Holkup, P.A., Tripp-Reimer, T., Salois, E.M., Weinert, C. (2006). Rural research: Lessons from the field; Cross-cultural research partnerships: Not business as usual [Abstract]. Communicating Nursing Research, 39, 149.

Presentations

Salois, E. (2004, July). Return to a sacred tradition: Respect elders [podium]. Third Annual Wellness Conference, Blackfeet Eagle Shield Center, Browning, MT.
Holkup, P. (2004, September). Addressing elder concerns using community based participatory research [poster]. NANAINA Summit X, Salish-Kootenai College, Polson, MT.
Holkup, P. (2004, October). Intervention research with a Native American community: Using a community-based participatory research approach [symposium]. National State of the Science Nursing Congress, Washington, DC.
Salois, E. (2004, October). The family care conference: A culturally anchored approach to address Native American elder abuse [symposium]. National State of the Science Nursing Congress, Washington, DC.
Tripp-Reimer, T. (2004, October). Native American perspectives on elder maltreatment [symposium]. National State of the Science Nursing Congress, Washington, DC.
Holkup, P.A., Tripp-Reimer, T., Salois, E.M., Weinert, C. (2006, October). Lessons from the field: Rural nursing research; partnering with tribal communities for research [symposium]. National State of the Science Nursing Congress, Washington, DC.

Grants

Tripp-Reimer, T. (PI), Holkup, P., Salois, E. & Weinert, C. (Co-PIs). "Caring for Native American Elders: Phase III" (2003- 2005), NIH/NINR, 1R21/NR00852801, ($392,625).
Holkup, P. (PI), Tripp-Reimer, T., Salois, E., & Weinert, C. (Co-PIs). "Caring for Native American Elders: Prairie Addition" (2004-2005), Center for Research on Chronic Conditions in Rural Dwellers, ($10,000).
Holkup, P. (PI), Tripp-Reimer, T., Salois, E., & Weinert, C. (Co-PIs). "Caring for Native American Elders: Grasslands and Prairie," NIH/NINR (RO3), (not funded).