21-27 May marks Dementia Action Week – a time to stand united with people affected by dementia, and to celebrate the lives of those living with the condition and their loved ones.
According to one estimate, there are around 56,000 gay and lesbian people living with dementia in the UK (McParland & Camic 2016). However, including bisexual, trans and other gender and sexual minority groups, this number will be much higher. Yet there is still much work to be done to understand the needs and experiences of this often-overlooked group.
There’s much more to someone than their diagnosis of dementia, their sexual orientation, or their gender identity. However, LGBTQ+ people can face particular barriers when it comes to living well with dementia – from the processes involved in receiving a diagnosis, to inclusion in mainstream support services.
So, to learn more about the experiences and needs of this often-overlooked group, Switchboard is running an online survey for LGBTQ+ people affected by dementia.
If you’re LGBTQ+ in Brighton & Hove or Sussex, and living with, or concerned about, dementia or memory loss, or if you care for someone who is, we would love to hear from you.
We are also running a survey for professionals and volunteers who support people affected by dementia. If this is you or someone you know, please feel free to complete or share the survey for professionals and volunteers.
Both surveys are anonymous and confidential, and the results will be used to influence health and social care services to better support LGBTQ+ people to live well with dementia and to thrive.
For information or to learn more about the support available for people affected by dementia in your area, take a look at the Alzheimer’s Society website at or call the National Dementia Helpline on 0300 222 11 22
Join us in the conversation by tweeting at us- @LGBTSwitchboard or finding us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/LGBTswitchboard/
If you would like to get in touch with any questions, or if you would like to receive a paper copy of either of the surveys, get in touch at [email protected]
Again, here are the links for the two surveys:
Survey for LGBTQ+ people affected by dementia: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/lgbtqdementia
Survey for Professionals or Volunteers who support people affect by dementia (of any sexual orientation): https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/lgbtdementiaprofs