The LGBTQ+ neighborhood might face explicit challenges associated to Alzheimer’s and dementia. These embody discovering inclusive and welcoming well being care suppliers, much less potential to name upon grownup youngsters for help, issues about stigma and better charges of poverty and social isolation.
Dementia and the LGBTQ+ neighborhood
These paperwork from the Alzheimer’s Affiliation describe the problems that members of the LGBTQ+ neighborhood and their family members expertise and supply steerage for navigating these challenges.
- Issues Brief: LGBTQ+ and Dementia (PDF), a collaboration with SAGE, outlines particular problems with concern associated to LGBTQ+ folks with dementia, together with stigma, household composition, poverty and social isolation.
- LGBTQ+ Older Adults and Dementia (PDF) is a information for LGBTQ+ neighborhood members residing with Alzheimer’s or different dementia.
- This infographic on the LGBTQ+ community (PDF) and dementia contains vital details about the LGBTQ+ neighborhood and dementia, together with information in regards to the challenges members of the neighborhood face accessing care.
- ALZPride: Voices of the LGBTQ+ Neighborhood is a panel dialogue that includes Clint Kershaw, identified with delicate cognitive impairment in 2017 at age 56, and his companion, Jeff, sharing how they navigate this illness collectively; Reynaldo Mireles from SAGE describing their work in communities, significantly communities of shade; and Dan Stewart from HRC (Human Rights Marketing campaign), discussing progress towards changing into extra trans-inclusive and the way the Lengthy-Time period Care Equality Index promotes equitable and inclusive take care of LGBTQ+ older adults in senior housing. See or download the video. Passcode: DpercentF$V3WQ
On the Alzheimer’s Affiliation, we imagine that numerous views are essential to attaining well being fairness — which means that every one communities have a good and simply alternative for early analysis and entry to threat discount and high quality care. The Association is committed to participating underrepresented and underserved communities and responding with sources and training to handle the disproportionate impact of Alzheimer’s and dementia (PDF).
Caregiver sources for LGBTQ+ neighborhood members
Members of the LGBTQ+ neighborhood who’re spouses, companions and members of the family caring for somebody residing with Alzheimer’s may additionally face challenges find culturally delicate care, assist networks and different sources.
Sources for LGBTQ+ neighborhood members
The Alzheimer’s Affiliation, its national partners and different organizations present sources for members of the LBGTQ+ neighborhood who’re residing with Alzheimer’s and different dementia. On our nationwide weblog, Dan Stewart of the Human Rights Marketing campaign Basis shares how the Human Rights Campaign is partnering with the Association to assist guarantee ageing LGBTQ+ elders have entry to Alzheimer’s info and sources.
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ALZConnected® is a free on-line neighborhood for folks residing with dementia and their caregivers. It features a discussion board particularly for members of the LGBTQ+ neighborhood and allies to attach with each other.
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SAGE, one among our nationwide companions, is a nationwide advocacy and companies group for LGBTQ+ elders. It gives sources on housing, long run care, discrimination and extra points that LGBTQ+ older adults face.
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SAGE operates the National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging, which is the nation’s first and solely technical help useful resource middle geared toward enhancing the standard of companies and helps supplied to lesbian, homosexual, bisexual and/or transgender older adults. It additionally gives listings of local resources.
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SAGECare gives coaching on culturally competent take care of LGBTQ+ older adults, together with modules on LGBTQ+ folks and dementia and coaching for reminiscence care suppliers.
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The SAGE National LGBTQ+ Elder Hotline connects older adults with sources: 877.360.LGBT (5428)
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The Homosexual and Lesbian Medical Affiliation advocates for well being fairness and gives a directory of health care providers for these looking for a LGBTQ+-friendly physician or different well being skilled.
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Lambda Legal is a nationwide group dedicated to attaining full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, homosexual males, bisexuals, transgender folks and everybody residing with HIV by means of influence litigation, training and public coverage work.
Scientific research findings from the Alzheimer’s Affiliation
There’s comparatively little scientific analysis on the LGBTQ+ neighborhood and Alzheimer’s and different dementia, however extra researchers are exploring these vital and uncared for points.
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Members of the LGBTQ+ neighborhood face an elevated threat of subjective cognitive decline in comparison with cisgender heterosexual People. NPR covered this discovering.
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The primary large scale study of dementia amongst LGBTQ+ adults ages 60-plus discovered a 7.4% prevalence charge.
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Analysis Inclusion Helps Fairness (RISE) is a analysis research being performed by Emory College, the College of Nevada, Las Vegas, and the College of Tennessee, Knoxville. The RISE research contains a research registry created to assist make sure the LGBTQ+ neighborhood is represented in Alzheimer’s analysis.
Our dedication to the LBGTQ+ neighborhood
The Alzheimer’s Affiliation proudly stands in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ neighborhood. We acknowledge
the significance of fostering inclusivity, acceptance and equality for all people — no matter sexual orientation or gender id. On the similar time, we acknowledge that well being challenges similar to Alzheimer’s and dementia have an effect on all brains, no matter id. We’re dedicated to creating secure and supportive areas inside our group and past, the place everybody can thrive and be their genuine selves, even within the face of such challenges.
The Alzheimer’s Affiliation strategically companions with nationwide and native organizations to advance well being fairness, entry to Affiliation sources and inclusion within the combat to finish Alzheimer’s. Be taught extra about our partners and partnerships as a part of our commitment to diversity and inclusion.
We’re excited to take part in and assist upcoming Pride parades and festivals. Search for the Alzheimer’s Affiliation at these occasions, the place we are going to stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ neighborhood.
