Identifying Needs to Support Elders of the Catawba Indian Nation
Poster Number
43
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Social Work
Faculty Mentor
Allison Gibson, Ph.D.; Perry Owen, M.S.W.; and Vivian Garland, Director of the Catawba Senior Center
Abstract
Through a collaboration with Winthrop University and the Catawba Indian Nation Senior Center, researchers collected data from the elders of the Catawba Indian Nation to understand the needs of the elders and obtain funding for programs on the reservation. Students collected data by interviewing the elders of the tribe and facilitating biopsychosocial assessments using the “Survey of our Elders IV” tool developed by the U.S. Administration on Aging. The results of our study found the elders age 55 years and older in this community have higher amounts of diabetes 36.1% compared to the nation level of Native Americans and Indigenous populations (NAIP) at 16.8%, and osteoporosis 8.4% compared to the nation level of NAIP at 4.6%. Along with having higher amounts of diabetes and osteoporosis, Catawba Indian Nation seniors also face higher rates of congestive heart failure 9.2% and stroke 7.9%. Other data that we discovered within this research is that bathing, getting out of bed, and using the toilet are less likely to reported for assistance within the Catawba tribe compared to the national trends of NAIP. The implications of this research has benefitted the Catawba Indian Nation tribe by having a better understanding of the needs of tribal elders within this community. With the research the tribal Elder Care program has created programs to better educate older adults with programs about healthier food choices, expansion of the respite program, and overall wellness. Programs developed to respond to the elders needs will be discussed as part of the presentation.
Grant Support?
Supported by a grant from the Winthrop University Research Council
Start Date
21-4-2017 2:15 PM
Identifying Needs to Support Elders of the Catawba Indian Nation
Richardson Ballroom
Through a collaboration with Winthrop University and the Catawba Indian Nation Senior Center, researchers collected data from the elders of the Catawba Indian Nation to understand the needs of the elders and obtain funding for programs on the reservation. Students collected data by interviewing the elders of the tribe and facilitating biopsychosocial assessments using the “Survey of our Elders IV” tool developed by the U.S. Administration on Aging. The results of our study found the elders age 55 years and older in this community have higher amounts of diabetes 36.1% compared to the nation level of Native Americans and Indigenous populations (NAIP) at 16.8%, and osteoporosis 8.4% compared to the nation level of NAIP at 4.6%. Along with having higher amounts of diabetes and osteoporosis, Catawba Indian Nation seniors also face higher rates of congestive heart failure 9.2% and stroke 7.9%. Other data that we discovered within this research is that bathing, getting out of bed, and using the toilet are less likely to reported for assistance within the Catawba tribe compared to the national trends of NAIP. The implications of this research has benefitted the Catawba Indian Nation tribe by having a better understanding of the needs of tribal elders within this community. With the research the tribal Elder Care program has created programs to better educate older adults with programs about healthier food choices, expansion of the respite program, and overall wellness. Programs developed to respond to the elders needs will be discussed as part of the presentation.
