USF researchers say social support may protect against memory loss in LGBTQ+ seniors

A strong support system can help anyone keep their body and mind healthier, but a University of South Florida researcher says it’s especially important for older LGBTQ+ adults, who face unique challenges as they age.

Nik Lampe, an assistant professor in USF’s Department of Mental Health Law and Policy, is leading a three-year research project funded by the Alzheimer’s Association to examine risk factors for the disease in LGBTQ+ seniors.

Their initial research has so far found a connection between social support and cognitive health.

Lamp analyzed data from Vanderbilt University’s LGBTQ+ Social Networks, Aging, and Policy Study, or “Q SNAPS,” a longitudinal survey of more than 1,200 LGBTQ+ older adults in the South. They found that those with supportive families and colleagues were significantly less likely to report suffering from cognitive problems such as forgetting the names of relatives or having difficulty completing household tasks.

Transgender and bisexual respondents were most likely to report cognitive challenges, said Lampe, who has a doctorate in sociology. Although subjective cognitive decline is not a sure sign of Alzheimer’s or related dementia, it is a significant risk factor.

“If we develop better programs and better outreach efforts to fully engage and support LGBTQ+ older adults, and work with families, friends, colleagues and neighbors to better support this community, we can reduce cognitive health disparities,” said Lamp.

Social support is a major concern for LGBTQ+ adults

According to an AARP survey released this year, four in five older LGBTQ+ adults say they fear they will not receive enough social support in the future.

While research shows that LGBTQ+ people are more likely to act as caregivers for friends and family members, they often have difficulty finding people who can help them with their own needs.

“We are currently in a crisis where many LGBTQ+ older adults do not have the quality of family care available due to structural barriers such as anti-LGBT legislation or attitudes toward LGBTQ+ marriage and family formation,” said Lamp.

LGBTQ+ seniors are less likely to have children or spouses than heterosexual cisgender adults. They may have strained relationships with siblings and extended family members who do not accept or understand their identities and experiences.

Feeling unsupported by healthcare professionals can also make LGBTQ+ adults less likely to seek medical care, which can delay dementia diagnosis and intervention, said Lamp.

“We need adequate training, especially LGBTQ+ cultural competency training, not only with physicians but also with family caregivers, which is the first line of defense in preventing Alzheimer’s disease,” they said.

Calls for policy changes

Supportive friends, known as “chosen family,” play a crucial role in the lives of many LGBTQ+ adults, and Lampe said communities need to provide these individuals with more resources to care for their aging loved ones.

Their calls were echoed by Melissa Wojewnik, general manager of Cypress Palms Senior Living in Largo. Wojewnik is part of the LGBTQ Elder Initiative, a committee for a better life for seniors of the Pasco-Pinellas Area Agency on Aging. The group advocates for LGBTQ+ seniors to connect them with resources in the community and educate companies about providing more inclusive services.

It may be difficult for the chosen family to legally qualify as a caregiver or access financial assistance or other assistance, Wojewnik said, which can have a negative impact on the health of the LGBTQ+ adult they care for.

“Yes, in this day and age we are more welcoming and affirming, but unfortunately policies and experiences don’t really reflect that,” she said.

Many Florida communities also do not provide adequate protections against LGBTQ+ discrimination in housing, employment or health care, Wojewnik said. While every senior may be struggling with rising costs of living and a lack of affordable housing right now, discrimination can make it even more difficult for those who identify as LGBTQ+.

Wojewnik recalls recently working with a transgender woman who was in her early 60s and was having difficulty finding housing.

“They’re faced with the challenge of finding a community that fits their income but also fits them, and the challenge we face in finding that is that there’s such a small pot that we can sift through,” she said. “So these economic inequalities on top of self-identification is another area that they struggle with.”

Adopting more inclusive policies to help LGBTQ+ seniors ensure stable housing and income could also keep them connected to support networks and improve their cognitive health, said Lamp.

“LGBTQ+ older adults are here to stay, they’ve been through it all, they’re resilient and successful, and they want to be active and engaged Floridians like everyone else, so giving them the tools and resources to do so is critically important they age and can live well,” they said.

resources

The Alzheimer’s Association offers resources for LGBTQ+ older adults and their caregivers.

Seniors and businesses in the Tampa Bay area can connect with resources through the LGBTQ+ Elder Initiative.

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