The 1990 Census counted almost 166,000 American Indians and Alaskan Natives over the age of 60. Although elders represent only about eight percent of the total American Indian and Alaskan Native population, their numbers are increasing rapidly. This increase is due to better health and living conditions and an increased life expectancy. Older American Indians, Alaskan Natives and Native Hawaiians can expect to live well into their eighties and nineties. This welcome trend will continue to place greater demands on home and community-based service delivery systems.

The Administration on Aging's (AoA) American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian Program--Title VI of the Older Americans Act (OAA)--is responsible for serving as the effective and visible advocate on behalf of older Native Americans, coordinating activities with other federal departments and agencies, administering grants to Native Americans, and collecting and disseminating information related to the problems of older Native Americans.

Grants to Native Americans

Under Title VI of the OAA, the AoA annually awards grants to provide supportive and nutrition services for American Indian, Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian elders living in the Title VI service area. In 1997, grants were awarded to 220 American Indian and Alaskan Native tribal organizations representing nearly 300 tribes, and one organization serving Native Hawaiian elders.

Nutrition services are a major component of the Title VI program. In 1995, nearly 3 million congregate and home-delivered meals were provided to elders participating in Title VI programs. In addition to meals, other nutrition services provided included nutrition education, nutrition screening, and nutrition counseling.

The results of the AoA's National Elderly Nutrition Evaluation study, conducted in 1995, indicated that Title VI meals provided at least one-third of the Recommended Dietary Allowances for virtually all nutrients. Most of the elders receiving congregate and home-delivered meals were satisfied with the meals.

In addition to providing meals, the nutrition program site is important for social interactions--93 percent of the participants reported that they spend some time at the meal site after they finish their meal. Nearly one- fourth reported participating at least once a week in recreation activities sponsored by the meal program, and 33 percent reported participating at least once a month in recreation activities.

Another major component of the Title VI program is supportive services. Over 3 million supportive services were provided to older American Indians, Alaskan Natives and Native Hawaiians through programs funded by Title VI in 1995. Included in the supportive services were over 850,000 units of transportation, 680,000 units of information and assistance, 60,000 units of chore services, 50,000 units of homemaker services, and 30,000 units of health aide services. Other supportive services provided included outreach, family support, and legal assistance.

Training and technical assistance is provided to Title VI grantees in a variety of ways, including on-site, telephone and written consultation, national meetings, newsletters, and electronically, by AoA staff, Three Feathers Associates, Inc., and the Native American Resource Centers. This training and technical assistance is designed to further the development and strengthen the capacity of Title VI program directors and staff to enhance comprehensive and coordinated systems of nutritional and supportive services for American Indian, Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian elders.

National Resource Centers for Older Indians, Alaskan Natives, and Native Hawaiians

In February 1994, the AoA awarded two cooperative agreement grants totaling approximately $500,000 to establish National Resource Centers for Older Indians, Alaskan Natives, and Native Hawaiians. The Resource Centers are the focal points for the development and sharing of technical information and expertise to Indian organizations, Title VI grantees, Native American communities, educational institutions, and professionals and paraprofessionals in the field.

The mission of the AoA's Native Elder Health Care Resource Center (NEHCRC) at the University of Colorado is to promote the health and well-being of older American Indians, Alaskan Natives, and Native Hawaiians by increasing cultural competence among health care professionals and paraprofessionals who plan, administer, and provide relevant services to these populations. The NEHCRC's focus is on: ascertaining health status and conditions; improving practice standards; increasing access to care; and mobilizing community resources.

The AoA's National Resource Center on Native American Aging at the University of North Dakota is committed to increasing awareness of issues affecting American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian elders and to serving as a voice and advocate for their concerns. Through education, training, technical assistance, and research, the center assists in developing community-based solutions to improve the quality of life and the delivery of related support services to this aging population.

The Federal Interagency Task Force on Older Indians

The purpose of the Federal Interagency Task Force on Older Indians is to facilitate coordination among federally- funded programs and improve services to older American Indians.

In fiscal year 1997, the Task Force focused on three areas of concern to older American Indians: health, transportation and data. The Task Force will be making recommendations to further interagency collaboration and enhance services to older American Indians, and highlight problems, issues and/or barriers that prevent or diminish collaboration.

Additional information is available from:

Administration on Aging
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
330 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20201

Telephone: (202) 619-0724
TDD: (202) 401-7575
Fax: (202) 260-1012