Date of Award

January 2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Indigenous Health

First Advisor

Shawnda Schroeder

Abstract

This program effects case study provides a comprehensive case review of Apache Behavioral Health Services (ABHS) Nohwi Báyáni Bidádadil’įį – Watching Over Our Elders (Silver Program). The research aims to understand the program’s effectiveness in identifying, addressing, and reducing Elder abuse/neglect/and exploitation. Assess how the program has used the Elder Abuse Suspicion Index (EASI), assess community partners and ABHS staff knowledge/familiarity with the program, and whether the Silver Program is effective.

To achieve the research aim, I reviewed four data sources: ABHS Electronic Health Record (EHR), ABHS internal survey, interviews with community partners, and artifact review of the Silver Program. To provide guidance for other Tribal organizations interested in serving rural Indigenous communities who face similar issues related to Elder abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation.

Integration of the four data sources concluded that the program effects case study demonstrated the program’s promotional efforts and program successes while also assessing the referral procedures, the program’s effectiveness, and the familiarity of staff and community partners with the program and referral procedures. This work also provides a review of the EHR (myEvolv) and reports the referral source (internal/external) and review the EASI/EAST assessments to identify the type of victimization. This work highlights an improved reporting system, but also the ongoing experiences of Elder abuse within the WMAT community. In general, the Silver Program has proven to be successful based on the EHR (myEvolv), staff feedback and stakeholder (community partners) feedback.

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