Collette Adamsen: Securing In-Home Care for Native American Elders

Mission to Support Native American Elders

• 🎯 Collette Adamsen is dedicated to improving the lives of Native Americans, with a special focus on elders.
• 💡 Her passion stems from her upbringing in the Turtle Band of Chippewa tribe, where elders emphasized the importance of education and giving back.
• 🌟 Nominated as a "Remarkable Woman," Adamsen sees her work as a way to honor and repay the guidance she received from her own grandparents.

Addressing Health and Social Needs

• 📊 Adamsen's organization conducts health and social needs assessments within Native American communities to gather crucial data.
• ⚠️ This data is vital for securing resources and funding from federal and state governments, as without it, communities can be overlooked.

Importance of Home and Community-Based Services

• 🏠 A significant need identified is for home and community-based services that allow elders to age in place within their own communities.
• 💔 Without these services, elders are often sent to long-term care facilities away from their families and support systems, negatively impacting their health and well-being.
• ✅ Implementing these services, such as personal care and homemaker assistance, helps elders remain connected to their loved ones and tribal communities.

Expanding Reach and Future Goals

• 🚀 With sponsorship from AARP, Adamsen's work has expanded from tribal communities to urban communities.
• 🤝 She highlights the crucial partnership with Title VI programs, their directors, and staff who work tirelessly to support elders.
• ✨ Adamsen's long-term goal is to continue expanding these vital support systems and ensuring elders can live with dignity and care within their communities.