LGBTQIA+ Caregiving
Many caregivers may find themselves caring for a loved one without any formalized training or resources. Members of the LGBTQIA+ community may face even more challenges – in fact, people who identify as LGBTQIA+ are more than three times as likely to provide care for family and friends.
That’s why, in recognition of Pride Month, we’ve created this LGBTQIA+ caregiving guide as a resource to support caregivers who identify as LGBTQIA+, as well as those who are caring for a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Whatever your caregiving journey looks like, having a framework to help guide you will make the process more manageable. These five steps will help you navigate your role.
1. Have a Conversation
Before entering into a caregiving role, it’s a good idea to have an open conversation about your loved one’s preferences, wishes, finances, and current supports. Waiting until an emergency to have this discussion can lead to panic and uninformed decisions. Even if you’re already in the middle of caregiving, it’s not too late to start a conversation with your loved one about their wishes.
2. Make a Plan
No matter where you are in your caregiving journey, it’s important to have a plan in place to outline immediate needs and broader plans for the future. The most effective caregiving plans are made with the care recipient’s wants and needs at the center of the discussion.
Many steps in a long-term care plan will be easier if a caregiver is their loved one’s legal spouse or next of kin – an LGBTQIA+ affirming lawyer can be an invaluable resource. Reach out to the Massachusetts LGBTQ Bar Association to find a lawyer who is also a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.
3. Form a Team
Caregiving is an act of love, but it can be taxing for the caregiver. Reach out to friends, family, community, and professional service providers to find others who are willing to help you.
For working caregivers, an LGBTQIA+-affirming adult day health center can bring great peace of mind during busy days. Reach out to Boston ElderINFO to explore options in your area.
4. Care for Yourself
As a caregiver, it’s easy to defer your needs to prioritize your loved one. But maintaining your own health and well-being is just as important for a happy care plan. Try to be honest with yourself, and understand your capacity for helping others in a caregiving role.
Talking with others caregivers in a safe space may give you fresh ideas for how to relieve stress and manage the caregiving journey. A local support group such as Boston Senior Home Care’s Caregiver Support Groups can be an excellent way to find a community of caregivers who may be having similar experiences.
5. Find Formal Supports
More likely than not, challenges may arise during your caregiving experience that require additional support. It can be difficult to find supports that perfectly fit your individual needs, whether that’s as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, an older adult, a person with a disability, or any combination of unique identities.
Boston Senior Home Care’s caregiver advisors are skilled professionals who can connect you with the services and supports you need to care for yourself and your loved one. To explore the resources that best support your own personal caregiving journey, reach out to us by making an online referral, or by calling 617-292-6211.