Kenaitze Indian Tribe

Address

Kenaitze Indian Tribe
P.O. Box 988
Kenai, AK 99611
Phone: (907) 283-3633
Fax: (907) 283-3052

Contact us

Tyotkas Elder Services

The Kenaitze Indian Tribe (KIT) Elder Service Program (Tyotkas) is an organization of the Tribal government whose intent is to provide services to the Elder citizens of KIT Service area. The Tribe's Elder Services will serve those with the greatest economic and social needs. These needs include low income, frail and imparied elderly, the geographically and socially isolated. It is our intent to improve the quality of life for our Elders through fostering an environment of quality, dignity, and pride.

Tyotkas Elder Services

  • Elder's Luncheon
  • Care giver Support
  • Resource & Information
  • Home Visits
  • Wellness
  • Crafts
  • Transportation
  • Outings

Goals and Objectives

Goals

  1. To Prevent Isolation.
  2. To Provide Healthy Activities.
  3. To Provide Healthy Choices through Nutrition, Exercise, Personal Hygiene and Education.
  4. To Ensure Independent Living

Objectives

  1. Prevent Physical Injury through Safety and Environmental Checks.
  2. Intervening to Break the Isolation and Prevent Emotional, Physical and Mental Problems.
  3. To Identify the High-Risk and Fragile Elders and Assess their Special needs.
  4. To set up an Early Prevention and Wellness Program to Break the Isolation and Ensure the Physical and Mental Health of our Elders.
  5. Provide Elder's Luncheon Monday through Friday to Reduce and Provide Stimulation to all Elders.
  6. To ensure Independent Living, to Make their Own Decisions about Their Lives.

Eligibility Requirements for Programs

Alaska Native, American Indian or Native Hawai'ian aged 55 and over or disabled person (all ages). Participants must be in program service area as defined by the Title VI application.

Summary of Programs

Elders' Luncheon

Provide a well balanced meal.

  • Served Five Days a Week (Monday through Friday, 11:00am - 1:00pm)
  • Holiday and Special Events
  • Traditional Foods (when available)

Care Giver Support

This program is to help families caring for an older relative or an elder care giving for spouse or family members with a chronic illness or disability. The program aids Tribes to provide support services for family care givers and for grandparents or older relatives providing care giving services. We provide:

  • Information to Care Givers about Available Services.
  • Assistance to Care givers in Gaining Access to the Services.
  • Individual Counseling, Organization of Support Groups and Care Giver Training.
  • Respite Care.
  • Supplemental Services, on a Limited Basis.

Transportation

This is essential for the physcial, social, and emotional health of the elders. The transportation sercices will allow Elders to:

  • Access Medical Services.
  • Public Assistance Appointments.
  • Attend Social functions.
  • Necessary Shopping and Banking.

We do ask all taking advantage of this service to please give at least 24 hours notice, so all Elders will have the opportunity to use this program.

Home Visits

An important part of the Elders social and emotional health. It provides them with:

  • A Social Activity.
  • Assess Home for the Health and Safety of our Elders.
  • To keep in touch with the outside.
  • We also visit Hospital, Nursing Home and Assisted Living.

Resource, Information and Referrals

Providing an advocacy service to help Tribal Elders and other qualified recipients access information about programs; both Tribal and other agencies. Some examples are:

  • Home Health Aides
  • Telephone Services
  • Limited Chore Services
  • Advocacy Services
  • Public Assistance
  • Education and Training
  • Respite Services

Wellness

A variety of programs and activities for Elders to maintain an overall sense of well being. Some of the programs and activites include:

  • Crafts, Traditional and non-Traditional.
  • Light Exercise Activities.
  • Trips to Places of Interest to the Elders.
  • Tribal Dancing and Drumming.
  • Kenaitze Early Childhood Center Preschool Visitation.
  • Elder Abuse, Neglect and Adult Protection Programs.

Staff and Qualifications

Elder's Advocate

Someone who pleads in favor of, defends an agreement, supports, one who pleads, support a cause.

The Elder Advocates are available for but not limited to:

  • Doctors Appointments
  • Help Filling out Paper Work
  • Home Visits
  • Safety Checks
  • Tribs to Tribal Events, and other Places of Interest
  • Escort Services, to Appointments out of the Kenaitze Service Area
  • Shopping and Banking
  • Limited Chore Service
  • Elders' Luncheon

Community Health Representative (CHR)

A good knowledge of health care and promotion/disease prevention; same qualifications as Elder Advocate.

Certified Nurses Aide (CNA)

A person who performs limited nursing care and/or personal care for persons (as the aged or chronically ill) who are unable to care for themselves properly. They are licensed by the State and CPR, First Aide qualified.

Personal Care Attendant (PCA)

A person who performs delegated tasks for persons who are unable to or need help caring for themselves. They are certified by the State and in CPR, First Aide.

Elders' cook

Provide a planned meal at which a variety of prepared foods are offered. These foods shall comply with all U.S. Dietary Guidline for Americans and provide the nutrients specified in the current, daily Recommended Dietary Allowanace, as established by the Food and Nutritional Board of the National Research of the National Academy of Sciences as specified. The Elders' cook will provide Traditional foods when available. Staff members working in the meal service area are trained in proper preparation, handling, sanitation and portion control.

Assistant Cook and Custodian

A person who helps the cook with food preparation and is trained in proper preparation, handling, sanitation and portion control. This person also takes care of the building sanitation.

Copyright © Kenaitze Indian Tribe

Program Director David Segura

David Segura
Program Director

tyotkas@kenaitze.org

Tyotkas Building

Tyotkas Elder Services
1000 Mission Avenue
Kenai, AK 99611
Phone: (907) 283-3612

July 2010 Calendar