Provider assumptions about long-term care in American Indian communities.

A brief survey of 208 Indian Health Service (IHS) providers and allied personnel revealed the extent to which they subscribed to a number of myths about long-term care. With some exceptions, long-term care is equated with the nursing home, perceived as involving essentially health care professionals, and service objectives are assumed to be primarily rehabilitative and protective in nature. Underscored is the importance of past recommendations of geriatric training for IHS and tribal human service providers.