Dementia, women and sexuality: How the intersection of ageing, gender and sexuality magnify dementia concerns among lesbian and bisexual women

Scoping Literature Review: Experiences of Sexual and Gender Minority Older Adults, With Diagnoses of Dementia, Who Use Residential Long-Term Services and Supports

The number of sexual and gender minority (SGM) older adults utilizing residential long-term supports and services (LTSS) will increase in the forthcoming decades. Paradoxically, while requiring more LTSS services than their non-SGM counterparts, SGM older adults are less likely to access these services, partly due to fears of discrimination. Furthermore, SGM older adults living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD) present unique challenges and opportunities for LTSS facilities. This article provides a scoping review on the intersection between experiences of SGM older adults with AD/ADRD who use residential LTSS. This review identified three themes: (1) the experiences of discrimination among SGM residents in LTSS facilities, (2) the need for comprehensive staff training in residential LTSS to ensure proper care of SGM populations, and (3) the crucial role of inclusive facility policies. As the number of SGM older adults is expected to increase, further research is necessary.

Living with dementia: Exploring the intersections of culture, race, and dementia, stigma

Research documents the presence of stigma and discrimination as key components in the lived experience of dementia. However, to date, there is limited understanding regarding how social location, particularly as it relates to culture and race, may shape this experience of stigma and discrimination. In this qualitative exploratory study, personal interviews were held with ten Chinese Canadians living with dementia focused on better understanding how culture, race, and dementia stigma influence their experiences. From the onset, themes related to stigma and discrimination were woven into the participants' stories about living with dementia. Consistent with other research, all participants described an increased sense of vulnerability and invisibility related to how both they and others responded to their diagnosis of dementia. Participants also provided examples of how this experience of stigma was compounded by culture, race, and immigration status. Importantly, these acts of stigma and discrimination were both externally and internally imposed, resulting in feelings of lack of safety and insecurity. This research draws attention to the increased vulnerability that accompanies a diagnosis of dementia and illustrates how this may be heightened by one's culture and racism.

Unpacking Intersectional Inequities in Flu Vaccination by Sexuality, Gender, and Race-Ethnicity in the United States

Health care research has long overlooked the intersection of multiple social inequalities. This study examines influenza vaccination inequities at the intersection of sexuality, gender, and race-ethnicity. Using data from the 2013 to 2018 National Health Interview Survey (N = 166,908), the study shows that sexual, gender, and racial-ethnic identities jointly shaped flu vaccination. Specifically, White gay men had the highest vaccination rate (56%), while Black bisexual women had the lowest rate (23%). Across Black, Hispanic, and White individuals, sexual minority women had lower vaccination rates than heterosexual women, but sexual minority men had higher or similar vaccination rates than heterosexual men. Economic enabling, noneconomic enabling, and need-based factors together explained a substantial portion of these gaps. However, they cannot explain all the disadvantages faced by Black lesbian, bisexual, and heterosexual women and Black heterosexual men. Findings offer new evidence of hidden health care inequities and inform health policies from an intersectional perspective.

Developing consensus-based recommendations for the delivery of dementia services for the LGBTQIA+ community in the Republic of Ireland

Background: The number of older LGBTQIA+ adults is set to rise significantly in the coming years. The rising numbers sit together with the rise in the number of people in Ireland diagnosed with dementia. In Ireland, no dementia-specific services exist for people from the LGBTQIA+ community. The aim of this research was to 1) identify the future needs that older LGBTQIA+ people and their care partners living in Ireland have in relation to dementia care service delivery; and to 2) develop consensus-based recommendations for dementia service provision in Ireland. Methods: A six-phase consensus process was used to develop the lists of needs and recommendations: 1) development; 2) national survey; 3) interviews with key stakeholders; 4) international review of best practice; 5) consensus meeting; 6) final member checking. Participants, aged over 50, were based in Ireland, identified as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community or supported someone who is/was. Results: Results are reported from the survey (n=49), individual interviews (n=8), and the consensus meeting (n=10). Participants have concerns related to identity management and suppression, creating an LGBTQIA+ affirmative ethos and workforce, and respect and safety. From the results and consensus process, a full list of ten prioritised needs and recommendations have been developed that focus specifically on dementia care in Ireland for the LGBTQIA+ community. Conclusion: The older LGBTQIA+ community has identified essential priorities for improving healthcare access and safety. These priorities now need to be urgently implemented into clinical and dementia care services.

"I'm still the queen and I'm still on my throne…": Women's reflections on gender and living with dementia

People with dementia have long been defined by the label of dementia, rather than by other aspects of their identities including gender. As a result, little research has focused on gender and dementia, particularly through the perspectives of those living with dementia. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences and perspectives of women living with dementia. Specifically, we sought to understand how gender structured their experiences of receiving and coping with a diagnosis, services, and important relationships and supports. Utilizing a qualitative research approach, twenty-one women living with dementia participated in individual or group interviews. Women discussed the following aspects of gender and dementia: caregiver roles, perceptions of gender differences, the impact of dementia on families, and women's strength and resilience. The findings of this study indicate a clear need for further research to explore diversity and gendered experiences for those diagnosed with dementia.

Developing consensus-based recommendations for the delivery of dementia services for the LGBTQIA+ community in the Republic of Ireland

Background: The number of older LGBTQIA+ adults is set to rise significantly in the coming years. The rising numbers sit together with the rise in the number of people in Ireland diagnosed with dementia. In Ireland, no dementia-specific services exist for people from the LGBTQIA+ community. The aim of this research was to 1) identify the future needs that older LGBTQIA+ people and their care partners living in Ireland have in relation to dementia care service delivery; and to 2) develop consensus-based recommendations for dementia service provision in Ireland. Methods: A six-phase consensus process was used to develop the lists of needs and recommendations: 1) development; 2) national survey; 3) interviews with key stakeholders; 4) international review of best practice; 5) consensus meeting; 6) final member checking. Participants, aged over 50, were based in Ireland, identified as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community or supported someone who is/was. Results: Results are reported from the survey (n=49), individual interviews (n=8), and the consensus meeting (n=10). Participants have concerns related to identity management and suppression, creating an LGBTQIA+ affirmative ethos and workforce, and respect and safety. From the results and consensus process, a full list of ten prioritised needs and recommendations have been developed that focus specifically on dementia care in Ireland for the LGBTQIA+ community. Conclusion: The older LGBTQIA+ community has identified essential priorities for improving healthcare access and safety. These priorities now need to be urgently implemented into clinical and dementia care services.

Are dementia services and support organisations meeting the needs of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) caregivers of LGBT people living with dementia? A scoping review of the literature

OBJECTIVES

More than 60% of people with dementia live at home, where assistance is usually provided by informal caregivers. Research on the experiences of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) caregivers is limited. This scoping review of the literature synthesizes international evidence on support provision for the population of LGBT caregivers.

METHODS

Eight electronic databases and Google Scholar were searched using terms including 'Dementia', 'LGBT' and 'Caregiver' for all types of articles, including empirical studies, grey literature and sources from charity/third sector/lobbying organisations. Article selection was performed by two raters. Data were analysed through deductive thematic analysis, and three themes were established a priori: Distinct experiences of LGBT caregivers; current barriers to support; strategies to overcome the current challenges.

RESULTS

Twenty articles were included. Distinct experiences of LGBT caregivers included a loss of LGBT identity, the impact of historical events, families of choice, and disclosing LGBT identities. Current barriers to support included poor representation of LGBT caregivers in support services, negative attitudes of staff and reluctance of caregivers to seek support. Strategies to overcome the current challenges included staff awareness training and kite-marking inclusion.

CONCLUSION

Limited cultural competency of staff and a subsequent reluctance to seek help have an impact on use of support services among LGBT caregivers. Implications for practice include the development of cost-effective, feasible, and acceptable inclusiveness training for services. Implications for policy include implementation in organisations of top-down agendas supporting staff to understand sexuality and non-heteronormative relationships in older age.

Unheard voices: A qualitative study of LGBT+ older people experiences during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK

This paper reports findings from a qualitative study into the immediate impact of social distancing measures on the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT+) older people (≥60 years) living in the UK during the first lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic. It draws on in-depth interviews with 17 older people and 6 key informants from LGBT+ community-based organisations, exploring the strategies used to manage their situations, how they responded and adapted to key challenges. Five themes emerged related to: (1) risk factors for LGBT+ older people and organisations, including specific findings on trans experiences; (2) care practices in LGBT+ lives; (3) strengths and benefits of networking (4) politicisation of ageing issues and their relevance to LGBT+ communities and (5) learning from communication and provision in a virtual world. The findings illuminate adaptability and many strengths in relation to affective equality and reciprocal love, care and support among LGBT+ older people. It is vital UK that the government recognises and addresses the needs and concerns of LGBT+ older people during emergencies.

Investigating the lived experience of LGBT+ people with dementia and their care partners: a scoping review

Dementia, a global health priority, poses a disproportionately high risk to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans plus (LGBT+)/gender and sexuality diverse people. Despite this, little research has explored the lived experience of LGBT+ people with dementia or their care partners. This scoping review aims to understand what the literature reveals about their experiences, the ways in which their lives have been investigated, to inform future research, policy and practice. Using an established scoping review methodology, we identified seven papers that reported empirical research on the lived experience of LGBT+ people with dementia and their care partners. Only a single study reported on in two of the papers included people who were trans. This in itself reveals how rarely LGBT+ people are asked to speak about how dementia has shaped their lives in academic research. Our reflexive thematic analysis indicates that LGBT+ people with dementia and their care partners endure overlapping forms of disadvantage. This results in heightened experiences of fear and discrimination, lack of services and compounded social isolation. Importantly, while dementia was embodied as interference and loss by LGBT+ people, it was their gender and sexuality differences that provided solace, even in the face of disadvantage. Importantly, people's relationships with LGBT+ identities were framed as fundamental for safety, resilience and wellbeing, rather than a complicating or confounding factor in living with dementia.

Advancing Gerontological Health Research With Sexual and Gender Minorities Across the Globe

The current article presents results of a scoping review of international research on the health and health care needs of sexual and gender minority (SGM) older adults. Electronic databases and related resources were used to identify empirical and review studies published during the past 10 years. We reviewed 33 peer-reviewed articles from 19 countries. Findings were organized using the SGM Health Disparities Research Framework, which highlights factors at individual, interpersonal, community, and societal levels that impact health. Overall, historic and current environmental factors, including stigma, discrimination, and social exclusion, played an important role in SGM older adults' health, health care access, and use of related aging and social services. There is a critical need for training and future research, and health professionals are needed to advance gerontological health and health care research and improve the health and care of SGM older adults globally. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 48(4), 13-20.].

Developing consensus-based recommendations for the delivery of dementia services for the LGBTQIA+ community in the Republic of Ireland

Background: The number of older LGBTQIA+ adults is set to rise significantly in the coming years. The rising numbers sit together with the rise in the number of people in Ireland diagnosed with dementia. In Ireland, no dementia-specific services exist for people from the LGBTQIA+ community. The aim of this research was to 1) identify the future needs that older LGTBQIA+ people and their care partners living in Ireland have in relation to dementia care service delivery; and to 2) develop consensus-based recommendations for dementia service provision in Ireland. Methods: A six-phase consensus process was used to develop the lists of needs and recommendations: 1) development; 2) national survey; 3) interviews with key stakeholders; 4) international review of best practice; 5) consensus meeting; 6) final member checking. Participants, aged over 50, were based in Ireland, identified as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community or supported someone who is/was. Results: Results are reported from the survey (n=49), individual interviews (n=8), and the consensus meeting (n=10). Participants have concerns related to identity management and suppression, creating an LGBTQIA+ affirmative ethos and workforce, and respect and safety. From the results and consensus process, a full list of ten prioritised needs and recommendations have been developed that focus specifically on dementia care in Ireland for the LGBTQIA+ community. Conclusion: The older LGBTQIA+ community has identified essential priorities for improving healthcare access and safety. These priorities now need to be urgently implemented into clinical and dementia care services.

Dementia and sexuality in long-term care: Incompatible bedfellows?

Despite the recognized benefits of sexual expression and its importance in the lives of people living with dementia, research demonstrates that there are multiple barriers to its positive expression (e.g., expression that is pleasurable and free of coercion, discrimination, and violence) in RLTC homes. These barriers constitute a form of discrimination based on age and ability, and violate the rights of persons living with dementia to dignity, autonomy, and participation in everyday life and society. Drawing on a human rights approach to dementia and sexual expression, we explored the experiences of diverse professionals, family members, and persons living with dementia with explicit attention to the ways in which macro-level dynamics are influencing the support, or lack thereof, for sexual expression at the micro level. Focus groups and in-depth interviews were conducted with 27 participants, and the collected data were analyzed thematically. While all participants acknowledged that intimacy and sexual expression of persons living with dementia should be supported, rarely is such expression supported in practice. Micro-level factors included negative attitudes of professionals toward sexual expression by persons living with dementia, their discomfort with facilitating intimacy and sexual expression in the context of their professional roles, their anxieties regarding potential negative reactions from family members, and concerns about sanctions for failing to prevent abuse. In our analysis, we importantly trace these micro-level factors to macro-level factors. The latter include the cultural stigma associated with dementia, ageism, ableism, and erotophobia, all of which are reproduced in, and reinforced by, professionals' education, as well as legal and professional standards that exclusively focus on managing and safeguarding residents from abuse. Our analysis demonstrates a complexity that has enormous potential to inform future research that is critically needed for the development of educational initiatives and to promote policy changes in this area.

"When I hear my language, I travel back in time and I feel at home": Intersections of culture with social inclusion and exclusion of persons with dementia and their caregivers

Individuals with dementia and their carers often experience a rupture of relationships that co-occurs with declining functional and cognitive abilities, leading to their increased social exclusion in both intimate relationships and community settings. While initiatives have been developed to support meaningful interaction and participation in society, they have broadly ignored the significance of how cultural factors influence experiences of inclusion/exclusion of these individuals. An ethnographic study was conducted by an interdisciplinary research team between April 2018 and January 2019 to explore the intersections of culture and social inclusion/exclusion in a culturally diverse group of persons with dementia, caregivers and staff members of a non-profit organization located in a multicultural neighborhood of a bilingual Canadian city. The participants' culture was inextricably linked to their experiences in three overarching themes of social inclusion/exclusion: transformation of the person with dementia and the caregiver; participation in social networks and meaningful relations; and styles of care provision in health and social services. Cultural mandates that prescribe practices of intergenerational care shape the way certain caregivers perceive their role and mitigated experiences of exclusion. Culturally specific notions and views associated with dementia prevalent in certain communities increased experiences of inclusion or exclusion. Engagement with the cultural elements of individuals with dementia was shown to be an effective and underexplored tool for fostering inclusion. The results of this study highlight the value of the ethnographic methods for incorporating the perspective of persons with dementia in research.

Physical and mental well-being, risk and protective factors among older lesbians /gay women in the United Kingdom during the initial COVID-19 2020 lockdown

This article reports on a subset of findings from a recent UK survey of the impact of COVID-19 on older LGBT+ people in the UK. It considers the responses of 149 lesbian/gay women (137 cisgender, 12 trans) to questions relating to physical and mental health and wellbeing. Findings indicate that those women - in couples and singles - who were happy with their living circumstances pre-COVID showed stoicism, adaptability, and determined positivity in response to the pandemic and associated lockdown. Some even reported an improved quality of life, better personal relationships and increased neighborly support. By contrast, those women who were very unhappy with their circumstances prior to COVID-19 - generally women who lived alone and experienced a mismatch between their actual and desired social network - either remained unhappy or became more unhappy, due to its impact on fragile support systems. For trans women, formal support from trans/LGBT+ specific networks - online during COVID lockdown - were central to their wellbeing. Having access to, and being able to use, online technologies were essential to good mental health during lockdown. These findings reaffirm the diversity among older lesbians/gay women as well as highlighting how COVID-19 has acted as a magnifier to their preexisting circumstances. The narratives of those doing well - generally better-networked, intentionally positive and engaged in practices which promote their well-being - may offer insights for supporting those who find their lives more challenging, both during a public health crisis and more generally.

The involvement of people with dementia in advocacy: a systematic narrative review

METHODS

A systematic search and narrative synthesis of original research was conducted. Searches in Pubmed, Web of Science, PsychINFO and CINAHL followed PRISMA Guidelines. The review focused on people with dementia involved in advocacy. There were no restrictions based on study design or date. Language was limited to English.

RESULTS

Seven papers were identified, with predominantly qualitative methodologies. Four overarching themes were identified: threats, fighting back, evolving identities and making a difference. Threats ranged from those arising from dementia as an illness, to exposure to stigma. Fighting back represented advocates' response to these threats, often described using martial metaphors. Evolving identities captured advocates' journeys through diagnosis to involvement in advocacy and subsequent impact upon identity. Making a difference represented the impact of dementia advocacy at an individual, community and societal level.

CONCLUSIONS

This review confirms that the threats associated with dementia extend beyond the symptoms of illness. Dementia advocacy offers potential improvements in well-being for those involved, through the activity itself and via extended social networks. There is little research on broader aspects of advocates' identity, including ethnicity, gender, and age. There has been little attempt to quantify the impact of dementia advocacy.

Elevated Risk of Cognitive Impairment Among Older Sexual Minorities: Do Health Conditions, Health Behaviors, and Social Connections Matter?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Little research has examined cognitive health disparities between sexual minority and heterosexual populations. Further, most extant studies rely on subjective measures of cognitive functioning and non-probability samples. This study uses a performance-based cognitive screening tool and a nationally representative sample of older Americans to examine the disparity in cognitive impairment by sexual orientation and the potential mechanisms producing this disparity.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Using data from the 2015-2016 National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (N = 3,567), we analyzed respondents' scores on the survey-adapted Montreal Cognitive Assessment. We estimated ordinal logit regressions to examine the relationship between sexual orientation and cognitive impairment and used the Karlson-Holm-Breen method to assess how mental and physical conditions, health behaviors, and social connections mediate this relationship.

RESULTS

The prevalence of cognitive impairment is significantly higher among sexual minority older adults than among heterosexual older adults when sociodemographic factors are adjusted for. Depressive symptoms explain some of this prevalence gap. Although anxiety symptoms, physical comorbidity, health behaviors, and social connections may contribute to cognitive impairment, they do not explain the cognitive disparity by sexual orientation.

DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS

The findings indicate that depressive symptoms are an important link between minority sexual orientation and cognitive impairment and highlight the importance of studying other potential mechanisms that we could not explore in this study. Future research should further investigate how minority stress processes may unfold to accelerate cognitive decline among sexual minorities over the life course.

Gender and dementia national strategy policymaking: Working toward health equity in Canada through gender-based analysis plus

This article discusses the results of a content and critical discourse analysis of Canadian federal policy documentation relating to the development of a national Canadian dementia strategy. These documents span from 2013 and focus upon Canadian federal policy directives and directions up to the release, and including the release, of a national strategy in June 2019. The analyses, supplemented by a subtextual examination of these documents guided by Bacchi's (2012) "What's the Problem Represented to be?" framework, focuses upon the treatment of gender in policy documentation and the specific gender related policy framework, known as GBA+ (gender-based analysis and intersectionality), which is intended to bring about health equity to disadvantaged groups. As women, particularly, working class women and their carers, as well as women with additional intersecting factors, such as being lesbian or bisexual, are less likely to receive the dementia related care and services they need, precipitating a premature move to residential care, GBA+ is an essential policy framework in the attempt to address these inequities. However, findings point to a superficial treatment of gender, GBA and GBA+ in federal policy documents and lack a meaningful invocation of women's gendered and intersectional lived experiences of dementia. Additionally, the Canadian federal government's Dementia Strategy for Canada: Together We Aspire (2019) is grounded in a rendition of citizenship that do not work to unearth the complex relationships between citizenship, old age, gender and intersectional factors. As a result, the Dementia Strategy for Canada: Together We Aspire (2019) presents a version of citizenship that homogenizes older adults and prevents representations of older adults as diverse, complex and continually changing groupings. Therefore, inspired by Bartlett et al. (2018), I advocate for the application of a feminist and intersectional citizenship lens in Canadian federal dementia-related policymaking documentation going forward.

Older LGBT+ health inequalities in the UK: setting a research agenda

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans+ (LGBT+) people report poorer health than the general population and worse experiences of healthcare particularly cancer, palliative/end-of-life, dementia and mental health provision. This is attributable to: (a) social inequalities, including 'minority stress'; (b) associated health-risk behaviours (eg, smoking, excessive drug/alcohol use, obesity); (c) loneliness and isolation, affecting physical/mental health and mortality; (d) anticipated/experienced discrimination and (e) inadequate understandings of needs among healthcare providers. Older LGBT+ people are particularly affected, due to the effects of both cumulative disadvantage and ageing. There is a need for greater and more robust research data to support growing international and national government initiatives aimed at addressing these health inequalities. We identify seven key research strategies: (1) Production of large data sets; (2) Comparative data collection; (3) Addressing diversity and intersectionality among LGBT+ older people; (4) Investigation of healthcare services' capacity to deliver LGBT+ affirmative healthcare and associated education and training needs; (5) Identification of effective health promotion and/or treatment interventions for older LGBT+ people, and subgroups within this umbrella category; (6) Development of an (older) LGBT+ health equity model; (7) Utilisation of social justice concepts to ensure meaningful, change-orientated data production which will inform and support government policy, health promotion and healthcare interventions.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Trans Aging in a U.K. Context: Critical Observations of Recent Research Literature

In this article, we provide critical observations of empirical research from leading U.K. researchers relating to the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans older adults. We suggest learning that may be applied in differing global contexts as well as contributing to the development of an international evidence base. We illustrate the importance of paying attention to distinct health and care systems and legislation, which present global differences as well as similarities in terms of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans people’s perceptions and access to resources. With this contextual background, we then discuss the cutting-edge U.K. research in this field from 2010 onward. We identify key strengths including the contribution our evidence has made to policy and practice and the development of theoretical insights such as the impact of intersectionality. The article concludes with a discussion of future research in this field which has relevance at national and international levels.

Service provision for older homeless people with memory problems: a mixed-methods study

Background

Early or timely recognition of dementia is a key policy goal of the National Dementia Strategy. However, older people who are homeless are not considered in this policy and practice imperative, despite their high risk of developing dementia.

Objectives and study design

This 24-month study was designed to (1) determine the prevalence of memory problems among hostel-dwelling homeless older people and the extent to which staff are aware of these problems; (2) identify help and support received, current care and support pathways; (3) explore quality of life among older homeless people with memory problems; (4) investigate service costs for older homeless people with memory problems, compared with services costs for those without; and (5) identify unmet needs or gaps in services.

Participants

Following two literature reviews to help study development, we recruited eight hostels – four in London and four in North England. From these, we first interviewed 62 older homeless people, exploring current health, lifestyle and memory. Memory assessment was also conducted with these participants. Of these participants, 47 were included in the case study groups – 23 had ‘memory problems’, 17 had ‘no memory problems’ and 7 were ‘borderline’. We interviewed 43 hostel staff who were participants’ key workers. We went back 3 and 6 months later to ask further about residents’ support, service costs and any unmet needs.

Findings

Overall, the general system of memory assessment for this group was found to be difficult to access and not patient-centred. Older people living in hostels are likely to have several long-term conditions including mental health needs, which remain largely unacknowledged. Participants frequently reported experiences of declining abilities and hostel staff were often undertaking substantial care for residents.

Limitations

The hostels that were accessed were mainly in urban areas, and the needs of homeless people in rural areas were not specifically captured. For many residents, we were unable to access NHS data. Many hostel staff referred to this study as ‘dementia’ focused when introducing it to residents, which may have deterred recruitment.

Conclusions

To the best of our knowledge, no other study and no policy acknowledges hostels as ‘dementia communities’ or questions the appropriateness of hostel accommodation for people with dementia. Given the declining number of hostels in England, the limits of NHS engagement with this sector and growing homelessness, this group of people with dementia are under-recognised and excluded from other initiatives.

Future work

A longitudinal study could follow hostel dwellers and outcomes. Ways of improving clinical assessment, record-keeping and treatment could be investigated. A dementia diagnosis could trigger sustained care co-ordination for this vulnerable group.

Funding

The National Institute for Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research programme.

The Mental Health of Older LGBT Adults

There are approximately one million older lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) adults in the USA. Their mental health issues result from interactions between genetic factors and stress associated with membership in a sexual minority group. Although advancements in acceptance and equal treatment of LGBT individuals have been occurring, sexual minority status remains associated with risks to physical and mental well-being. Older LGBT adults are more likely to have experienced mistreatment and discrimination due to living a majority of their lives prior to recent advancements in acceptance and equal treatment. All LGBT adults experience one common developmental challenge: deciding if, when, and how to reveal to others their gender identity and/or sexual orientation. LGBT individuals have higher rates of anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders and also are at increased risk for certain medical conditions like obesity, breast cancer, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Improved education and training of clinicians, coupled with clinical research efforts, holds the promise of improved overall health and life quality for older LGBT adults.

How do lesbian and gay people experience dementia?

Introduction

The subjective experience of dementia for lesbian and gay individuals is largely absent from the extant literature. This study aimed to explore what it means to experience dementia in this context given the documented psychosocial influences facing this population. A second aim was to develop understanding of these experiences within dyadic relationships.

Method

Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted with lesbian and gay individuals with dementia and people with whom they had a significant relationship and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Results

Three superordinate themes, reflecting characteristics of participants’ experience, were identified: duality in managing dementia, giving yourself away vs. holding onto yourself and relationships as sheltered harbours. Ten subthemes indicated the processes that were adopted to adjust and make sense of the experience of dementia. These included decisions around concealment, ensuring safety and the promotion of personhood and couplehood. In line with findings for heterosexual couples, partners had an important role in maintaining the identity of the person with dementia.

Conclusions

Results suggest additional and distinct challenges, including experienced and perceived discrimination and heterosexism. In response to these conditions, interviewees worked to resist a ‘double stigma’ of dementia and sexuality. Findings indicated areas of improvement for dementia services, including training in inclusive practice.