Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. Dementia is not a specific disease. It describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. Many dementias are progressive, meaning symptoms get worse over time. If you or a loved one is experiencing memory difficulties or other changes in thinking skills, don’t ignore them. See a doctor soon to determine the cause.
The Wyoming Center on Aging in collaboration with tribal stakeholders embarked on a multi-step process to create culturally appropriate education materials to increase the awareness and recognition of cognitive loss among American Indians. These materials include a poster, booklet and adaptation guide for American Indian Communities. Printed copies can be requested by contacting wycoa@uwyo.edu. Supplies are limited!
Download Printable Copies of the Poster and Booklet
This booklet and poster were created in collaboration with Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribal members.
BOOKLET: 10 EARLY SIGNS OF ABNORMAL MEMORY CHANGES
and
WyCOA Adaptation Guide
The Adaptation Guide for Culturally Relevant Dementia Education Materials for Tribal Nations supports Tribal Nations in thoughtfully adapting dementia education materials to reflect their own cultural values, traditions, languages, priorities, and community contexts while maintaining medical accuracy. The Guide can be used alongside the adapted 10 Early Signs of Abnormal Memory Change poster developed by the Wyoming Center on Aging (WyCOA), which illustrates one possible approach to cultural adaptation. The sample poster is provided as an example—not a prescriptive model—and should be considered in conjunction with the Adaptation Guide and the unique guidance and priorities of each Tribal Nation or community.
Adaptation Guide for Culturally Relevant Dementia Education Materials for Tribal Nations
and accompanying
These resources were adapted from the Alzheimer’s Association: “10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s". For information, education, referrals, or support, call the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 helpline at 1-800-272-3900 or visit their website at alz.org.
Artwork is a collaboration of artists: Elk Sage, Hayley Nikkel and Danya Aletebi.
The University of Wyoming has earned its Research Level 1 (R1) status from the Carnegie
Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, placing Wyoming's only four-year
university with the top research universities in the United States.
WyCOA is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $5,000,000
with 0% financed with nongovernmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s)
and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA,
HHS or the U.S. Government.