Alejandra Rubio
elder care
The Yavapai-Apache Nation has 321 elders enrolled; 150 out of that live within the Nation's community. The Nation only has two elder Advocates, and its become very difficult for them to take care of every elder in the Nation. One Yavapai-Apache Elder, who is registered with the senior program, would get meals every other day and has a hard time getting help in making meals on the days that she doesn't get a delivery. She would have family come in to help when they are on lunch or have the day off. At times she would be left alone in her home, with no visitors on site. Luckily for her, her daughter-in-law had moved her into her own home to take care of her entirely. With the elder's son passing a few years back, her daughter-in-law not only takes care of her, she also had taken in her own mother. The elder's daughter-in-law opened up her home to talk to her about her challenges while caring for both elders.
She helps with any daily actives that include a range of movements. She also let both elders do things on their own until they needed more and assistants. When making doctor's appointments, she has to make sure she can get them both in at the same time. In her younger days, the Yavapai-Apache Elder was and still is the primary source for the Nation when it comes to culture. She has made Apache boots, buckskin dresses, beaded work, and kept the Apache language alive. He has taught the Nation's younger generation how to speak and make their regalia wear. To this day, she is still going out picking red berries, shopping for her next project, and helping others learn.
