Minnesota Board on Aging - Indian Elder Program .
Indian elders face unique challenges.
According to the 1990 Census, approximately 36 percent of American Indian elders live in poverty. This is the highest rate among all minority or non-minority elders. Long-term care is one of the major issues faced by Indian elders. Since Indian elders are members of a sovereign nation, their health care system is independent. In Minnesota, there is only one tribally operated extended-care facility.