Dementia and the 2SLGBTQ+ community
June is Pride Month, an opportunity to learn more about the unique impacts dementia has on the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
Understanding 2SLGBTQ+ experiences with dementia
Today’s 2SLGBTQ+ older adults have lived through many significant shifts in queer and trans rights and freedoms in Canada — and those lived experiences can shape their interactions with health care and service providers in meaningful ways. Some have faced refusal of care, misgendering, a lack of affirmation, or non-recognition of their significant others (2SLGBTQI People Living Dementia – A Quick Guide | Egale Canada).
For these reasons, 2SLGBTQ+ individuals may face unique challenges when it comes to dementia care and support.
As Egale Canada explains, a lifetime of discrimination and oppression can lead to chronic minority stress — the greater burden of stress experienced by marginalized individuals as a result of discrimination, prejudice and stigma. This kind of long-term stress can have real consequences for both physical and mental health, and research shows it can also increase the risk of developing dementia.
Part of our mission at the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba is to build more dementia-friendly communities — places where people living with dementia and their care partners feel safe, respected and included. That means acknowledging the full range of backgrounds and experiences our community members carry with them, including those within the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
This Pride Month, we encourage everyone to take some time to learn more about the history of queer and trans rights in Canada, the challenges 2SLGBTQ+ older adults face today and the ways their past experiences can shape their journey with dementia.
For those working in health or community care, we also encourage you to explore what inclusive, affirming care looks like in practice, because everyone deserves to feel seen and supported.
Below are a few resources about dementia and the 2SLGBTQ+ community, and 2SLGBTQ+-friendly supports for older adults.
2SLGBTQ+ dementia and community resources
Resources for 2SLGBTQ+ adults living with dementia and those who care for them.
This introductory program is designed to help unpaid carers of Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and intersex (2SLGBTQI) people living with dementia develop knowledge and skills to support them in their role, and in having open and frank care-related conversations with the person they are providing care to, family, friends, health care and social service providers and others.
View eCourse
Egale Canada lists 10 easy ways that you can be an ally to 2SLGBTQI people living with dementia.
Visit egale.ca
My Choices for Safe and Inclusive Healthcare is a place to record information related to your health and preferences for your care. It can help you to have conversations with healthcare providers, to plan for your future care and to share information with others, including your emergency contacts.
These products were developed by people who identify as Two-Spirit & LGBTQ+ and the Canadian Virtual Hospice.
View resource
This video discusses care access and caregiving among 2SLGBTQ+ seniors, and includes interviews with LGBTQ+ older adults.
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2SLGBTQ+ dementia for health care professionals
Resources to help health care professionals increase their understanding of 2SLGBTQ+ individuals’ lived experiences and care needs.
Research by Egale Canada reveals that 2SLGBTQI people living with dementia often experience heightened displacement and suffering within the healthcare system, which underscores the necessity for increased support.
Their Help Us Remain Campaign brings this community issue to the forefront by revealing the untold stories of 2SLGBTQI people across Canada who are living with or have a connection to dementia.
Visit the campaign page to explore a variety of multimedia 2SLGBTQ+ dementia resources for health care professionals.
Visit egale.ca
Long-time activist Chris Morrissey speaks openly about her experiences with the care system as a lesbian. With great humour and charm, she talks about the importance of having staff and the care setting be queer-positive.
BC Care Partners produced this video in association with Vancouver’s Dignity Seniors Society.
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Read more about advocate Chris Morrissey and the legacy she’s left behind