Providing Care for an LGBTQ Senior:
Providing Care for an LGBTQ Senior: Top 10 Strategies and Resources to Creating an Inclusive Care Environment.
Great diversity exists within the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) community. The LGBTQ community and each of the LGBTQ groups (racial, ethnic, immigration status) has its own distinct cultural beliefs, attitudes, and practices around healthcare and caregiving. It’s important to remain aware of these nuances, as well as the fact that race, class, religious affiliation, location, and gender expression can also affect the access to care and impact the healthcare journey as a whole for the LGBTQ senior community.
If your loved one identifies as LGTBQ, you will likely face extra challenges around caring for a loved one. LGTBQ seniors are twice as likely to be single and four times less likely to have children than their non- LGTBQ counterparts. Many are estranged from their biological families which means they’re less likely to have the traditional caregiver support that many older adults rely on.
Because LGTBQ seniors and adults often rely on close friends of similar age for caregiving, these caregivers may be unable to provide longstanding support as they develop their own health impairments. Given this, and the lack of support from biological family, many LGTBQ older adults and seniors experience isolation or loneliness. Here are 10 helpful resources to creating an inclusive care environment and to learn more about LGTBQ resources.
- Faith and Spirit Resources. For many Americans, LGTBQ religious communities play a critical part in defining who they are. Although faith certainly isn’t central in every person’s life, for many it is as essential to their identity as their sexual orientation and gender identity. https://www.hrc.org/resources/coming-home-to-faith-to-spirit-to-self
- AARP. The AARP online home for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. The page is designed to spotlight articles on news, personal finance, relationships, travel and other topics of concern to older gay Americans, and their family and friends. https://www.aarp.org/home-family/voices/lgbt-pride/?migration=rdrct
- National Alliance for Mental Illness. One in five Americans live with a mental health condition. NAMI provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness so all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives. https://www.nami.org/Support-Education
- The Human Rights Campaign. HRC releases an annual report, “Healthcare Equality Index,” with information on the policies and practices those health care facilities in the United States offer to LGBTQ patients and their families. https://www.hrc.org/hei
- SAGE. SAGE is the country's largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) older adults. SAGE's National LGBT Elder Hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can request to speak with someone in English or Spanish by calling 877-360-LGBT.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - LGB Service members and Veterans. This section of the VA website gives information for lesbian, gay and bisexual service members and veterans. https://www.benefits.va.gov/persona/lgbt.asp
- National Center for Lesbian Rights. NCLR were the first national LGBTQ legal organization founded by women, bringing a fierce, longstanding commitment to racial and economic justice and our community’s most vulnerable. They provide free legal assistance to LGBT people and their legal advocates; and conducts community education on LGBT legal issues. http://www.nclrights.org/
- The Centers for Disease Control. The CDC offers a range of information on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health. Find local HIV, STD, and Hepatitis Testing that is free and confidential health support. https://gettested.cdc.gov/
- The National Resource Center on LGBT Aging. The LGBT Aging Center is the country's first and only technical assistance resource center aimed at improving the quality of services and supports offered to lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender older adults. https://www.lgbtagingcenter.org/resources/index.cfm
- Senior Adults on Coming Out Later in Life. LGBTQ-affirming therapists and mental health providers have experience working with LGBT people and may specialize in providing support during the coming-out process. A community of psychiatrists that educates and advocates on LGBTQ mental health issues. https://www.aglp.org/index.htm
Caring for a spouse, partner, close friend, or family member is one of the most important roles you’ll play. As your loved ones age it is likely a matter of when, not if, they will need our help. Nearly 44 million Americans—1 in 5 adults— are caregivers for a relative or friend over age 50. It may start with driving your loved one to get groceries or going to the doctor. Later, you may find yourself taking more time off from work, preparing meals, or handling bills.
If you or someone you know needs support please contact Right at Home; we provide the right in-home care to seniors that fall into various categories of special care situations. Give us a call at (502) 897-0580 to learn more about Right at Home Louisville.
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Written by Sergio Orozco. Sergio is lifelong student with an ongoing curiosity to learn and explore new things. He turns that interest in exploring subjects helpful to seniors and their families for Right at Home. #Pride #PrideMonth #LGTBQ #GaySenior #HomeCare #Caregiving