On February 8, 2023, Dan MacKay joined the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia Programs and Services staff team for an open and frank conversation about aging, dementia and the LGBTQ2S+ community.
“The whole team is so grateful for Dan’s time,” says Kirstie Creighton, Manager, Education and Belonging at ASNS. “Dan offered us the opportunity to ask questions and deepen our understandings around supporting LGBTQ2S+ elders. He quite literally said, Ask Me Anything.”
With Dan’s guidance, the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia staff learned so much about working with LGBTQ2S+ clients. Staff had the opportunity to:
- Learn about diversity within the community
- Explore terminology
- Hear about healthcare hopes and concerns as the LGBTQ2S+ community ages
The Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia has made a commitment to I.D.E.A. – Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Belonging – and ensuring they’re here for ALL Nova Scotians on the dementia journey. To truly do that, they need to better understand who their clients are and the communities to which they belong.Thanks to Dan and the 16 Elderberry members who responded to his survey, ASNS staff now have a better understanding of the LGBTQ2S+ elder community in Nova Scotia.
The Programs and Services team at ASNS have started a direct approach to collecting demographic data from clients through the confidential InfoLine service. Asking and answering these questions can be sensitive. To support this process, ASNS is ensuring that staff learn about diverse communities through education and listening to the voices of community members.
The Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia is so grateful for this initial meeting! The information shared will help the organization support caregivers and people living with dementia in ways that are inclusive and safe. ASNS looks forward to working together with Dan and the LGBTQ2S+ community to share information, education and support with people on the dementia journey.
The Alzheimer Society has branches across the Atlantic provinces. We encourage people to reach out to your local society for support, information and resources.
Nova Scotia toll-free InfoLine: 1-800-611-6345, www.alzheimer.ca/ns
