A timely educational conference designed for diverse Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual and Transgender older adult caregivers, their care receivers with cognitive challenges, family and friends, as well as healthcare/social service providers and policy makers.

Program Description

According to a recent report published by the San Francisco LGBT Aging Policy Task Force, LGBT older adults have unique barriers to accessing information about and services for Alzheimer’s and dementia care. This program will present the experiences and perspectives of LGBT caregivers and community members experiencing these challenges, and how the provider community can best respond to their needs. Speakers will focus on person-centered assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of dementia in diverse LGBT older adults; LGBT caregiver well-being; practical approaches to communication; family and cultural issues related to team-based health care; behavioral and other alternative interventions for dementia-related symptoms; and how to identify, access, and use effective healthcare/social service resources in mainstream and LGBT-welcoming institutions.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this program, we anticipate that participants will be able to:

1. Describe cultural beliefs and practices about dementia that are important to integrate into the team-based management of emotional, social and psychological issues experienced by the LGBT caregiver, the care receiver and the family.
2. List at least two symptoms of early stage dementia in LGBT older adults from diverse communities.
3. Explain the benefits of person-centered assessment and diagnostic procedures to LGBT caregivers, care partners, families, and service providers.
4. Identify pharmacologic and behavioral interventions commonly used to manage cognitive changes, depression, agitation and other behavioral symptoms of dementia.
5. Describe a strategy for accessing and using effective LGBT-affirming resources available in a variety of healthcare/social service settings.