Recognizing Diverse Caregivers
The challenges of caregiving can be intensified in the LGBTQ+ community due to increased discrimination and harassment. The number of caregivers in the United States is expected to grow alongside the older adult population. Caregivers provide physical, psychological, and emotional care for another person who may be a family member, friend, or partner. Caregiving can be very challenging when balanced with other aspects of a person’s life and caregivers tend to feel overwhelmed by the multitude of medical tasks, responsibilities, and self-neglect. This may worsen a caregiver’s health, leading to increased rates of depression, anxiety, isolation, financial strain, and poorer health. These challenges are exacerbated for LGBTQ+ caregivers who face unique challenges, unlike any other group.
This month we would like to highlight programs & conversations that specifically address the unique needs and challenges of diverse caregivers.
- Join the WellMed Caregiver SOS program this month for the Pride of Caregiving series. This series focuses on issues for LGBTQ caregivers and professionals. Sessions are held virtually using Zoom and will be held at 10 am Central Standard time on Thursdays in June. To register for any of the sessions please go to: www.caregiverteleconnection.org
Or click on the image below.
- The American Society on Aging presents an article that is a part of the Diverse Elders Coalition (DEC) published in Generations Today. You can view the article by CLICKING HERE. This article discusses the cultural impacts on caregiving.
- By CLICKING HERE professionals can download a free PDF Guide that encourages more engaging and supportive programming that can support LGBTQ+ caregivers.
- Visit the Alzheimer’s Association at ALZ.ORG to find LGBTQ+ Community Resources for Dementia
Other articles on diversity include:
- A Two-Eyed Seeing Approach to Addressing Dementia Inequities in Indigenous Populations – Dementia incidence in the American Indian/Alaska Native population is 14.6 percent higher than in the white population. – By Kristen M. Jacklin
- Digital Equity: A Human Right Whose Time Has Come – The pandemic has made clear that we can no longer ignore the digital divide. – By Peter Fundlet
- LGBT Elders’ Health Affected by Interpersonal, Institutional and Cultural Violence – By Sydney Kopp-Richardson
- Equity in Aging for LGBT Older Adults: A Review of the Past Ten Years and Progress for the Future