Health Care Planning
Like everyone, a great concern for LGBT people is to get the best possible care for a loved one. Health care decision making involves legal, social and practical issues. An example is residential health care provision.
Residential care settings can vary in their understanding and preparedness for dealing with the needs of lesbians and gays with Alzheimer's disease. Care staff are not immune to prejudice, myth, and lack of education of some health conditions that are of importance to the LGBT community.
Legal Issues for LGBT People
The legal position of same sex partners can vary from State to State and country to country. In some, the law recognizes same sex couples and they have equal rights as heterosexual couples. This is not always the case. The Family Caregiver Alliance will give you more information about this complex area of legal rights, protection and entitlements. They can provide legal information on issues such as incapacity, estate and will planning, care provision for a minor who has not been adopted.
Further Information on Alzheimer's Disease and LGBT Issues
The Family Caregiver Alliance has dedicated information for the LGBT people with Alzheimer's and their caregiver. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT)
Issues and Family Caregiving (2003)
Ageing and the nontraditional family
LGBT: Frequently Asked Questions
Human Rights Campaign for Equal Rights for LGBT People
To find out about local services contact the Office on Aging or Area Agency on Aging in which the care receiver lives. To find your local Area Agency on Aging, call Eldercare Locator, toll free nationwide at (800) 677-1116 or search on the web link for information from the Agency on Aging
