Presenter: discrimination and isolation raise dementia risk for LGBTQIA+ people

Don Jefferson, education and support coordinator at Insight Memory Care Center, told attendees that people who experience systemic discrimination face higher dementia risk and tangled care challenges. "mostly people who experience social marginalization ... have a higher risk for dementia, particularly because they are experiencing a different kind of stress in the world," Jefferson said, linking social stressors to higher rates of conditions such as cardiovascular disease and stroke.

Jefferson detailed how ageism layered with homophobia or transphobia can lead to delayed diagnosis and avoidance of care. She noted a specific figure from the presentation: "22% of transgender people postpone medical treatment," and described how that avoidance can worsen outcomes. Jefferson recommended provider training, inclusive intake forms, and community-based support groups to reduce barriers to care.