Abstract:

Caregivers are integral to the quality of life for older adults living with dementia who are aging in place. The lack of training and culturally appropriate resources available for caregivers of Indigenous Peoples living with dementia contributes to the accessibility gap for community-based respite care. Although current modules exist for respite care workers, there are limited culturally safe training modules designed for Indigenous caregivers and family members endeavouring to increase Traditional Knowledges around dementia. Developing an Indigenous, community-based caregiver toolkit for dementia creates culturally safe, accessible resources for community respite care. Guided by Indigenous Research Methodologies and community-based research, Morning Star Lodge, in partnership with File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council at the request of a Community Research Advisory Committee, aims to promote Indigenous community-based models of support and to develop a toolkit for caregivers of people living with dementia and their families.