The
National Indigenous Elder Justice Initiative has been awarded to the International Association for Indigenous
Aging by the Administration for Community Living (ACL). As we go through the transition, the information and
resources on this website will be transferred through ACL.
Online Interactive Educational Modules
These educational modules are available to train those working with Indigenous elders to identify and address
elder abuse in Indian Country.
The materials presented in the elder justice curriculum are designed to help those working with Native American elderly to understand the various types of elder abuse and become more knowledgeable about elder abuse issues. The materials will assist staff in responding appropriately to Indigenous victims of crimes and their families and enhance provision of culturally sensitive services.
The content for this training is organized for presentation either as a series of workshops or as an individual training. The training modules are designed so the presenter has all necessary information for each section in a format that is easily presented.
Cultural Sensitivity Training
All professionals and individuals working with Native Americans may find this information useful and
informative. This training will provide a starting point
to develop your cultural sensitivity journey by providing an overview of foundational, cultural, and
practice issues.
Modules
When conducting trainings, always begin the training with the Elder Abuse module. It provides foundational information that is relevant to all other sections.
Elder Abuse
Duration: Approximately 40 minutes
Published: June 2016, updated June 2020
Elder abuse generally refers to many types of mistreatment by someone whom the elder has a special
relationship with. Information about the types of abuse, elder protection teams, elder vulnerability,
and prevention is provided.
Key Information
Policy
Duration: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
Published: January 2018
Provides an introduction to policies and legislation impacting elder programs in Indian Country.
Professionals who may find this module informative may include: tribal leaders, tribal attorneys,
personnel, and tribal program officers.
Key Information
Policies &
Legislation Impacting Elder Programs in Indian Country
Legal
Duration: Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes
Published: September 2018
To provide information for criminal justice and legal professionals to recognize, investigate,
prosecute, and adjudicate cases of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation in Indian Country. Individuals
who may find this module informative include: law enforcement, attorneys, tribal judges, other court
personnel, social workers, mental health counselors, and employees of victim services.
Key Information
Legal
Issues in Indian Country
Consent
and Capacity in Indian Country
Guardianship: Remedy vs.
Enabler of Elder Abuse
Decision-Making Options That Are Less
Restrictive Than Guardianship
Financial Abuse
Duration: Approximately 40 minutes
Published: June 2016, updated June 2021
Gain an understanding of elder financial abuse and exploitation in Indian Country. Professionals who may
find this module relevant include: bankers, credit union employees, merchants, casino employees, medical
business office employees, and those who work in tribal elder programs and Crime Victim Services and
Advocates.
Key Information
Financial Abuse & Exploitation of Elders in Indian Country
Healthcare
Duration: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
Published: September 2018
Understand factors for recognizing, identifying, and reporting suspected elder abuse and neglect by
healthcare providers working with Native elderly. Professionals who may find this module relevant
include: physicians, nurses, certified nursing assistants (CNA), community health representatives (CHR),
home health aids, psychologists, behavioral health consultants, physical therapists, occupational
therapists, dietitians, emergency medical technicians, and other medical personnel.
Key Information
Health Care & Elder Abuse in Indian Country
Medication Issues
Duration: Approximately 2 hours
Published: October 2020
Provides information on medication issues for the elderly and how those issues may relate to elder
abuse. This information may be of use to pharmacists, pharmacy aides, healthcare providers, community
health representatives, home health aides, emergency medical technicians, senior services providers,
family members, and the elderly.
Key Information
Medication Issues Fact Sheet
Tailoring Opioid Overdose Prevention
Efforts for Diverse Groups within Tribal and Urban Indian Settings
Social Services
Duration: Approximately 20 minutes
Published: June 2016
Gain understanding of the best practices in the social service disciplines regarding elder abuse and
neglect in Indian Country. Professionals who may find this module informative may include: social
workers, Title VI directors, case managers, and community health representatives.
Key Information
Social Services for Elders in Indian Country
Caregiving
Duration: Approximately 35 minutes
Published: June 2016, updated June 2019
Caregivers will learn to recognize, prevent, and intervene in elder abuse and neglect cases. Caregivers
who may find this module informative may include: Family caregivers, community health representatives,
Title VI employees, and home health aides such as certified nursing assistants or visiting homemakers.
Key Information
Elder
Caregiving in Indian Country: Recognizing Warnings
Behavioral Health
Duration: Approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes
Published: July 2022
Gain an understanding of cultural factors related to psychological/emotional abuse, learn about
culturally relevant aspects of behavioral health, Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias and
transient ischemic attach/syndrome (TIA/TIS), understand the aspects of capacity assessment, advanced
care plan for Native Americans, and good mental health for older adults.
Key Information
Behavioral Health and Psychological
Maltreatment of Native American Vulnerable Adults