Lesbian and Gay Elders

Abstract

Abstract Health and community support services for patients with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers are primarily structured and provided from a heterosexist perspective. These services are often insensitive to the needs of lesbian and gay caregivers. This article reports on the development of a telephone support group for rural lesbian and gay elders caring for their life partners with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia in northwestern North Carolina. Issues involved in the establishment of the group, along with the structure, content, membership, and evaluation of the six-week group are presented. Six specific themes, which emerged from the personal experiences of these caregivers, are discussed.