Supporting the LGBTQ+ Community in Dementia Care
Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related illnesses impact every ethnic and cultural group, but they do not impact all those groups in the same way. Groups may have different barriers or difficulties resulting from their own historical experiences, challenges, and trauma, including the LGBTQ+ community.
Approximately 350,000 LGBTQ+ Americans live with dementia, and are 29% more likely to report memory loss and confusion than their straight cisgender counterparts. Researchers believe this may be due to higher rates of clinical depression and PTSD, unemployment from discrimination in the workforce and public housing, and a lack of culturally informed healthcare providers leading to poor health outcomes. In addition, older LGBTQ+ Americans are more likely to live alone and not have assistance from a caregiver.
In an effort to better serve the LGBTQ+ community, all Alzheimer’s Foundation of America staff members have completed the SAGECare organizational training offered by the national nonprofit organization SAGE (Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders). As a result, AFA holds SageCare’s Platinum level credential, the highest credential offered.
To further promote greater sensitivity and responsiveness to the needs of LGBTQ+ elders, AFA developed a professional training course, “Supporting the LGBTQIA+ Community in Dementia Care,” which is available to the public and for the professional development of individuals and organizations. Click here to learn more.
