WHEREAS, Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) is an Alaska Native tribal health and social services consortium established by the Interior Alaska tribes and tribal communities, to provide a unified voice in advancing sovereign tribal governments through the promotion of physical and mental wellness, education, socioeconomic development and culture of the Interior Alaska Native; and
WHEREAS, the First People have inhabited this great land from time immemorial, taking sustenance from the waters and lands; and
WHEREAS, in order to get to appointments for medical treatment, and for follow up, the Elder’s must travel to Fairbanks and Anchorage, and many do not understand when they are told about the results of their appointments, what treatment they must undergo, and what medications they must take; and
WHEREAS, many of the Elder’s do not understand the instructions that are given to them by the providers at CAIHC and ANMC, and the providers do not have the time to further explain to the Elder’s what their treatment regimen consists of; and
WHEREAS, there are instances when the paperwork does not catch up to the Elder patients in a timely manner, so paperwork for follow-up appointments and travel to the appointments are not done in a timely manner; and
WHEREAS, the Elder patients must have a place to stay, and food to eat while at appointments Fairbanks and Anchorage, and many of our Elder’s cannot hear well, so instructions for their housing and food to eat, is not understand very well, leading to misunderstandings; and
WHEREAS, Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center and the Alaska Native Medical Center, will co-ordinate with the Community Health Aides and local Mid-Levels, for follow up appointments and treatment.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Tribes in the Tanana Chiefs Conference region, request that an Elder Patient advocate position, be added to the health care team(s), to explain to our Elders, the results of their medical appointments, when appropriate and available provide translators, what the diagnosis, and treatment regimen consists of, and to help fill out the required paperwork, subject to the availability of funding.
Submitted by: Tanana Tribal Council
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