Caregivers are an essential part of care plans for older
adults, providing $450 billion worth of unpaid care each year (Croghan, 2014). Traditionally,
caregivers have often been the spouses or biological children of the care recipient.
However, this model is becoming outdated and not the most appropriate model for
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. Advocacy for LGBT
caregivers and care recipients is needed for a number of reasons. They include:
1)
Research
has shown that LGBT individuals are less likely to have children, making the
choice and availability of a caregiver a concern in the LGBT community (Cantor,
2004).
2)
LGBT individuals are more likely to rely on
non-family members for care (Canter, 2004; Croghan, 2014).
3)
LGBT middle-aged and older adults are almost
twice as likely as the general population to be caregivers and more than twice
as likely to be non-family caregivers (Croghan, 2014).
4) More LGBT older adults live alone and cannot
identify a caregiver than heterosexual older adults. This makes them more
susceptible to earlier institutionalized care. (Croghan, 2014). Lack of unpaid leave to care for a loved one under the
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a concern for the LGBT community. Only a
few states recognize leave for non-family caregivers and there are still quite
a few states where non-heterosexual people cannot legally marry (Croghan, 2014).
This impacts the health of both the caregiver and the care recipient.
Caregiving is a tough but rewarding role for both heterosexual and LGBT
caregivers. However, further advocacy is needed to ensure that all caregivers
and care recipients receive equal treatment and equal benefits.
References
Cantor, M. H.,
Brennan, M., & Shippy, R. A. (2004). Caregiving
among older lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender New Yorkers. New York,
NY: National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute.
Croghan, C.
(2014). What’s different about LGBT
informal caregiving? Retrieved from http://www.asaging.org/blog/whats-different-about-lgbt-informal-caregiving
Laura,
ReplyDeleteIt is very unfortunate that the LGBT community has been overlooked when it comes to caregiving. It is essential to acknowledge and support all of those who take on the responsibility to take care of others in their time of need. Caregivers are on the frontline when medical professionals cannot be and the care they provide is vital. Inhibiting their willingness to take on the responsibility of caring for their family, friend,or significant other will only decrease the quality of care a person will recieve which is unacceptable and unfair to the person in need.
Irma
Laura,
ReplyDeleteI echo Irma's statements. We often take it for granted that we will have a caregiver should something happen to us. In fact, many joke about which child will take the best care of them; however, many in the LGBT community have no children. Caregivers are vital to any person, no matter what their sexual status. It is important that education is brought to the forefront on the need and disparities faced by LGBT as related to caregivers.
Julie
Thanks, Laura, for bringing up this point. I had not even thought about this issue in relation to the FMLA. Some of the same issues that apply to LGBT also apply to other populations with respect to caregiving. For example, many Hispanics have comadres or compadres who are people with whom they have a special relationship, but that is not defined by law. Similarly, many African Americans talk about their "play mother" or "play sister," people with whom they have a family-type relationship but no legal connection. If FMLA is expanded to cover LGBT relationships, perhaps it can extend to these relationships as well. Another issue which you brought up was the lack of children to serve as caregivers. I think this issue extends beyond the LGBT community as well. For example, as a parent of a special needs child, I cannot expect him to be my caregiver when I am elderly. Also, many of my peers never had children, only nieces and nephews.
ReplyDeleteThank you for bringing the topic forward Laura. As a Lesbian, I can attest to many of the issues you and the others' comments have posted. I recall working in a senior facility and I heard "whispers" among the staff about the woman in room 6 and her "lifestyle and how she didn't have anyone". I am someone who carries very little internalized shame about my sexual orientation but hearing those comments really made me shrink inside.
ReplyDeleteIt is really harder for LGBT seniors and generationally right now they tend to be more closeted so LGBT community support systems are even more limited. Most of our community resources go toward HIV/AIDS services and legal and equal rights activities.
Regarding FMLA and marriage rights; I learned something new myself. In Texas, I have to pay more taxes on my domestic partners' insurance benefits than my peer who is married! That was a real shocker to find out!
Thanks again, for being our advocate!
De'An