LGBTQ* people may have high rates of stress, much of which may be related to discrimination and other minority stressors. Numerous studies have shown that the LGBTQ* population experiences higher rates of mental and behavioral health problems including anxiety, depression, suicide, smoking, and alcohol and drug use.
Cognitive Health and Memory
By 2050, the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia’s (AD/D) among American baby boomers is expected to increase by 50%. The number of individuals in need of care for AD/D will soon exhaust existing resources provided by primary care practices, community caregivers, nursing homes, and other specialty care facilities even for patients with insurance or private funds. We have seen a significant increase in Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs) but the reality is there likely will not be enough facilities and service providers for this growing aged population. This is especially problematic for LGBTQ* older adults with AD/D as our current programs and services are not designed to meet the needs of this population. The Stony Brook Center of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease (CEAD) is uniquely designed to improve specific health care needs for this group. The CEAD providers educational seminars and training to a wide range of health care providers and has been successful in highlighting the needs of older adults with AD/D specially in marginalized populations with the goal to improve access to cognitive testing, diagnostic evaluations, and care management services. The CEAD is currently working on a collaboration with the Stony Brook Edie Windsor Center that serves the LQBTQ* population on the south fork of Long Island along with assistance of the Suffolk County Office of Minority Health and St. Joseph’s College to improve cognitive resilience and brain health.