LGBTI+ people and dementia

On this page you will find the following series of resources along with other valuable content.
- Interacting with people living with dementia
- Visiting Residential Aged Care
- Visiting people in their homes
- Affirming gender and sexuality
- Looking after yourself
- Why visit

When caring for an LGBTI person with dementia, it is important to acknowledge and understand their sexual/intimacy needs and provide an environment that supports diversity and inclusion... This helpsheet has tips for care staff to support an LGBTI person with dementia with their sexual or intimacy needs and understand changes in behaviour that may occur if these needs are not met.

Iinformation and tips for care staff to better understand the life events the LGBTIQ+ person with dementia may have experienced, and enable tailored care and support.

This factsheet is specifically for aged care workers to provide guidance on how to support LGBTI people living with dementia in aged care.

The number of caregivers and people living with dementia and other related forms of cognitive impairment is increasing worldwide. Compared to heterosexual and cisgender individuals, studies suggest that lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, or other sexual and/or gender minority people (LGBTQ+) are at a higher risk for known risk factors for cognitive impairment and dementia, stemming from minority stress experiences. Limited research has explored the distinct obstacles that LGBTQ+ people with cognitive impairment and caregivers encounter, especially within dementia care. The purpose of this study was to deepen our understanding regarding LGBTQ+ people with cognitive impairment and caregivers’ experiences with dementia care spaces, and to identify the strategies that they perceive as effective in creating safer and more inclusive spaces.
Stinchcombe A, Oueis J, Wilson K, Wright DK. Safer dementia care spaces: Perspectives from LGBTQ+ people with cognitive impairment and caregivers. Dementia. 2025;24(2):214-234.

Pauline and Hilary Nowell talk to Lucy Whitman about the value of “rainbow” support groups for LGBTQ+ people affected by dementia
Whitman L (2023) Once I had a secret love. Journal of Dementia Care 31(5)22.

The unique experiences of LGBT people with dementia are not well understood. There is a need to recognise historical experiences, including familial relationships, and provide advocacy to ensure sexual and gender rights are not violated. There is also a need to ensure that the experiences and perspectives of LGBT people living with dementia inform the development of services.
Barrett, C., Crameri, P., Lambourne, S., Latham, J., & Whyte, C. (2015). Understanding the experiences and needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans Australians living with dementia, and their partners. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 34, 34–38

A briefing paper by Alzheimer's Association (US) and Sage advocacy & services for LGBT elders.

free access to all articles in this special issue.

This resource draws on research conducted by Val’s Cafe in partnership with Carers Australia. The aim of the research was to document the experiences and needs of older LGBTI carers and the carers of older LGBTI people. The research took place in 2015 and gathered data from 54 carers - 49 completed an online survey and 5 participated in in-depth interviews.
Barrett, C; Crameri, P (2015). An extra degree of difficulty: An evidence based resource exploring the experiences and needs of older LGBTI carers and the carers of older LGBTI people. Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne Australia

This resource was developed as part of a research project undertaken by Val’s Café at the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, in partnership with FTM Shed, Transgender Victoria and The Gender Centre (NSW). The aim of the project was to document trans people’s experiences of ageing and their health and aged care needs, and to develop a resource that privileged the voices of trans people.
Latham, J & Barrett, C (2015) “We’re people first”: Trans Health and Ageing – An Evidence-Based Guide to Inclusive
Services. Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.

Exploring the experiences and needs of trans people for health and aged care servicesThe barriers stopping trans Australians living their fullest possible lives remain unacceptably pervasive.
An important component of tackling discrimination and ill-treatment is raising the visibility of human stories
and how the actions of others can harm trans Australians.
Latham, J & Barrett, C (2015) “Gender is just part of who I am”: Stories from Trans Australians. Australian Research
Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.

This guide begins by outlining background issues, legislative, policy and medical contexts, and then presents key issues in trans health and ageing, the experiences and needs of trans people living with dementia. An evidence based guide to trans inclusive care, information on the importance of advocacy, and further information, including suggestions for using this resource as an educational tool.
Latham, J & Barrett, C (2015) “We’re people first”: Trans Health and Ageing – An Evidence-Based Guide to Inclusive
Services. Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.

Choosing an LGBTI Inclusive Ageing and Aged Care Service

Developing an LGBTI Inclusive Practice Policy

LGBTI people and dementia. A range of online courses, videos and articles

10 questions to ask website