Aging Speaker Series: Supporting LGBTQ+ Caregivers with Dr. Nik Lampe
The Aging Expert Speaker Series recently welcomed a compelling session led by Dr. Nik Lampe, who presented groundbreaking research on a population that is too often left out of the caregiving conversation: LGBTQ+ adults caring for loved ones with memory loss. Originally from the Fort Wayne area, Dr. Lampe is a proud Hoosier dedicated to improving care for culturally diverse communities in Indiana and beyond.
In a world that frequently overlooks the intersection of identity and caregiving, this session served as an important reminder that support systems must be intentionally designed to honor the whole person.
The Research
Drawing from the LGBTQ+ Social Networks, Aging, and Policy Study (QSNAPS), Dr. Lampe shared findings on how LGBTQ+ older adults in the Southern United States experience caregiving for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The data revealed significant gaps in identity-affirming support: LGBTQ+ caregivers were half as likely to have family support for their identities, and notably less likely to have support from coworkers or neighbors. Many also faced barriers to accessing affirming healthcare for themselves, often sacrificing their own well-being in service of others.
Why Support Matters
These findings point to a broader structural gap. Existing caregiver support systems were largely not designed with LGBTQ+ identities in mind — and for older adults who may already navigate complicated family dynamics, discrimination in healthcare settings, or a scarcity of affirming resources in their communities, the added demands of caregiving can compound those vulnerabilities significantly.
A Path Forward
The session was more than informative — it was a call to action. Dr. Lampe highlighted the power of "chosen families" and other evidence-based strategies to reduce caregiver burden and expand access to affirming care. Caregiving does not happen in a vacuum, and identity matters deeply in how support is experienced and received.
The session resonated with attendees beyond the academic community. Heather Todd, Co-founder of Aging Sidekick, shared her takeaway: “Dr. Lampe's presentation was incredibly helpful and insightful. I've worked in senior care for over a decade, and I learned a lot about the LGBTQ+ community's experience with aging that I wasn't aware of before. I walked away with insights on how I can incorporate inclusive approaches in my work, as well as opportunities to better connect with caregivers and older adults from diverse backgrounds.”
We are grateful to Dr. Lampe for bringing this vital research to our series and for helping us better understand how we can build more equitable, inclusive systems of care for all older adults.
The Aging Expert Speaker Series is made possible by the generous support of the Nelle Worthington Fund.