Any gay caregiver caring for their spouse or partner in Vegas?

bcks66

My husband was diagnosed with Alzhemiers in 2022, and after a fall, he has progressed rapidly. Currently he is in a memory care facility in Vegas. It seems that there arent any body in a similar situation as me, and it feels very isolating. Any one in Vegas in a similar situation?

notequipped

I don’t live in Vegas and I’m not gay. Just going to throw this out there that in this situation, I fail to see where being gay is the important bit. I suppose there may be situations where it is important, I just don’t think this is it. Have you tried looking for Alzheimer’s support groups in your area?

sandwichone123

My dad's gay, and I've worried about finding appropriate care for him if he ever needs it. Last week at Pride I saw an assisted living place had a float, which took a load off my mind. One concern I have had is that many caregivers come from socially conservative cultures that may feel very uncomfortable with gay people.

Gay folks, like many other groups, have their own sense of community. Particularly with the Gay community, much of the basis of their culture is a history of abuse by others, the need to hide or cover aspects of their lives, and the fear of judgement.

harshedbuzz

@bcks66

Hi and welcome. I am sorry for your reason to be here but pleased you found this place.

You are certainly welcome here, but I can appreciate wanting to find other caregivers navigating dementia with whom you might have more in common. I know my cousin's husband found support at a group in Philadelphia when cousin developed dementia.

ALZ does have some information on their main website with LGBTQ+ community resources, and you could always reach out and speak to a care specialist on the 24/7 helpline.
800.272.3900

https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/how-alzheimers-impacts-different-groups/lgbtq-dementia-resources

Sage may have a local group in your area. I think that's where my cousin's DH found his support group.

https://lgbtagingcenter.org/

HB

Goodlife2025

HB, you never fail to amaze me with the wealth of knowledge you share. 🤓

@bcks66, while I am unable to give you any information about the supports in the Vegas area; I will share I was reluctant to join this site for many of the reasons Sandwhichone123 has listed above. HOWEVER, I feared for no reason and I am so glad to have joined this group. Their support, knowledge and trailblazing have made such a positive difference I am eternally greatful. I have also found as stated above Alzhemer's doesn't care if we are gay or not the journey is really the same and isolating for each of us in its own way. Come here often even if you don't post.

Karen711

Welcome bcks66- I’m sorry to hear about your husband! You’ve gotten good info above and that I agree with. I’ll just add some possibilities I just looked up via google- so I hope they’re real and possibly helpful for you. Also, I would add that I’ve found this group welcoming, supportive and full of information. Being gay has been a non-issue for me here, and, I understand that finding a local lgbtq group could offer another kind of support. I hope some of the info below will lead to what you’re looking for, but also, I hope you’ll continue to come back here too for support and information. This is an extraordinarily knowledgeable and supportive group. And there is laughter here as well. Let us know what you find out!

Karen

(….some of this may be redundant re: info harshedbuzz posted )

• Rainbows of Aging: Located at the UNLV School of Public Health, this research team works closely with the local LGBTQ+ community to understand the needs of dementia caregivers and seniors. They run initiatives like the RISE registry, which helps connect LGBTQ+ individuals experiencing memory loss with local studies. [1, 2]
• The LGBTQ+ Center of Southern Nevada: Located in Las Vegas, The Center provides comprehensive health and community services. It is a hub for LGBTQ+ seniors and partners with local researchers to provide inclusive spaces and social support. [1]

Caregiver Support

• Alzheimer's Association - Desert Southwest Chapter: The regional Alzheimer’s Association chapter provides 24/7 helpline assistance, local referrals, and specific resources tailored to LGBTQ+ caregivers. They offer a free LGBTQ+ Online Community for dementia patients and caregivers. [1, 2, 3, 4]
• Dementia Friendly Nevada: A statewide initiative that hosts community groups and virtual educational forums for care partners to share practical strategies for living well with dementia. [1]

Specialized National Resources

• Alzheimer's Foundation of America: Offers specialized support options like free virtual memory screenings and resources specifically for creating inclusive dementia care environments. Explore their LGBTQ+ Dementia Care Resources. [1]

SDianeL

welcome. So glad you found us. I think most of us here also felt alone and isolated before we found this group. I know I did. We are all different here but have the same challenges. You won’t find a better place for info, support or to vent than here. Come back often. As others have posted you can also call the Alzheimer’s toll free number to see if there are other support groups in your area. Many medical universities have Alzheimer’s research facilities with support groups if you don’t find others. 💜