2015 LGBT Conference on Dementia
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.
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, a full day of lectures, presented 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 focused 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.