Elder Allies
Project Goal:
To reduce three critical issues facing homebound EBCI Elders: food insecurity, chronic social isolation, and falls. Homebound Native Elders face a disproportionate number of interconnected health challenges. They have significantly higher rates of food insecurity than other racial and ethnic groups. This vulnerability is compounded by social isolation, a significant risk factor for adverse health outcomes. Native Elders have the highest prevalence of falls compared to their same-aged peers of other races/ethnicities and have the highest rate of unintentional fall deaths. The incidence rate of falls in the EBCI Elders population was 22/1,000, same as the average among Native Elders in the eastern region. However, fall injuries incidence in the EBCI population was significantly higher, averaging 98/1,000 compared to 68/1,000 for the eastern region. This project will support Elders’ well-being and the ability to age in place by ensuring access to nutrition, social connection, and an opportunity to reduce at home fall risk hazards.
Key project partners include: Deb West Senior Center, Snowbird Senior Center, H.E.L.P., and Western Carolina University.
Project Includes:
Providing microwavable, prepared meals and a drink (juice or milk) to the homebound Elders on all of the Tribal employee holidays. To deliver these meals, we will recruit and compensate Elder Allies with a $20 gas card each time they deliver meals, covering the Qualla Boundary and Snowbird communities.
Launching an "Elder Allies" program to create a lasting support network. Community members who are matched with a homebound Elder will agree to deliver meals on the Tribal employee holidays, make at least three in-person visits, and three phone calls per year. To keep Elders connected, we will provide content in their newsletter with relevant program information and provide a gift to them over the winter holiday season.
Assessing falls risks in the homebound Elders’ homes.
Partnering with Johns Hopkins University and H.E.L.P. to provide and install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in the homebound Elders’ homes.
