Chicago — Join diverse members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer ( LGBTQ ) community share their experiences of their aging parent( s ) and eldercare issues on Monday, November 25, 2013, at the University of Illinois at Chicago, 1007 W. Harrison St., from 5:00-7:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. Light refreshments provided. Registration recommended, but not required at http://bit.ly/19Kp2I1.
Panelists include LGBT historian and UIC professor John D'Emilio and community organizers and UIC educators Moisés Villada and Liz Thomson.
From 5:00-6:00 p.m., there will be free chair massages by Chicago's SAGE Health Collective to affirm self-care to caregivers and healthcare professionals. At 6:00 p.m., there will be the welcome and introductions; moderated panel discussion; and general discussion.
Topics of discussion include, but are not limited to racism, homophobia, and/or heterosexism in healthcare and governmental agencies; how eldercare affects community organizing and jobs; dealing with siblings' lack of support; setting healthy boundaries with your parent( s ); managing financial stress; and offering healthcare providers best practices.
Statistics from Family Caregiver Alliance, 2012:
LGBT respondents are slightly more likely to have provided care to an adult friend or
relative in the past six months: 21% vs. 17%;
Gay, bisexual, and transgender males provide more caregivers hours than heterosexual males;
African Americans find themselves helping with three or more activities, compared to white and Asian American caregivers; and Latino caregivers find themselves to be in fair or poorer health than white and Asian American caregivers.
The program audience is geared to LGBTQ folks doing caregiving as well as the healthcare students and professionals seeking to increase their knowledge in creating safer and more inclusive spaces, which then leads to more effective care.
For more information, contact Liz Thomson at thomson_liz@yahoo.com . Space is accessible and has both gendered and gender-neutral single stall restrooms. By CTA, exit at the UIC Halsted Blue Line eL stop or buses #60 and #7. Paid parking can be found at Harrison/Morgan.