The Forgotten: Dementia and the Aging LGBT Community

Abstract

Although research documenting the experience of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered (LGBT) aging in general is gaining traction, and literature on dementia continues to proliferate, few articles attend to how dementia affects members of the aging LGBT community. This article reviews the current state of knowledge on the experience of dementia for LGBT older adults, and suggests areas for further research. In addition, it aims to promote social work's engagement with related disciplines and global dementia care. The article's ultimate goal is to encourage development of care practices tailored to the experiences, expectations and needs of older LGBT individuals affected by dementia.

Cognitive Impairment, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Other Dementias in the Lives of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Older Adults and Their Caregivers: Needs and Competencies

“…Lowered inhibitions associated with cognitive decline may also place LGBT older adults with dementia at risk for disclosing their sexual or gender identity in unsafe environments, thereby incurring added vulnerability to potential bias from providers and, in long-term care settings, other residents. This can lead to or exacerbate ethical dilemmas already present in dementia care concerning the privacy and safety of patients (McGovern, 2014). …”

“…These changes occur for anyone living with dementia, but may be especially central for LGBT older adults, who are more likely to rely on partners and friends for care. In addition to fears about losing a sense of self, LGBT individuals may have an added concern about being distanced from their communities as cognitive decline progresses, rendering them “doubly invisible” (McGovern, 2014) due to their social identities and their disease. Providers should be prepared to counsel patients, family members, and caregivers through such changes in their relationships and help them understand how to maintain the social support they need.…”

Older bisexual people: Implications for social work from the ‘Looking Both Ways’ study

“…There is a growing social work literature on the experiences of older LGBT people (Hughes, 2009a;Hughes 2009b;Jenkins, Walker, Cohen, & Curry, 2010;Lee & Quam, 2013;McGovern, 2014;Quam, Whitford, Dziengel, & Knochel, 2010;Rowan & Giunta, 2014;Van Sluytman & Torres, 2014;Ward, Rivers, & Sutherland, 2012) as well as literature aimed at enabling social work practitioners to work more holistically with older LGBT service users (Erdley, Anklam, & Reardon, 2014;Fredriksen-Goldsen, Hoy-Ellis, Goldsen, Emlet, & Hooyman, 2014;Gratwick, Jihanian, Holloway, Sanchez, & Sullivan, 2014;Portz et al, 2014;Stonewall, 2012;Westwood, King, Almack, & Suen, 2015). However both bodies of literature are predominantly based on the experiences of older gay men and, to a lesser extent, older lesbians, meaning that little can be deduced about the distinctive experiences of transgender and bisexual people (Barker et al, 2012).…”

Exploring Staff Clinical Knowledge and Practice with LGBT Residents in Long-Term Care: A Grounded Theory of Cultural Competency and Training Needs

“…Given that many LTC facilities provide services to residents who are affected by dementia and other cognitive impairments, it appears notable that participants themselves brought up ways that LGBT residents might experience past trauma and victimization in the form of age regression delusions. Indeed, a recent call for increased cultural competence with LGBT older adults affected by dementia has emphasized the need for creating LGBT-affirmative environments, providing specialized support to LGBT caregivers, and increasing professionals' knowledge of LGBT persons' experiences (McGovern, 2014).…”