Dementia in Transgender People with Ames Simmons

While information on Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and cognitive impairment in transgender adults is lacking, research shows that they tend to face more health disparities that are known risk factors for dementia, such as depression, hearing loss, sleep disorders, high cholesterol, and alcohol use disorder. 

Get pumped to learn about Dementia in Transgender People on the latest episode of This Is Getting Old: Moving Towards an Age-Friendly World! Our incredible guest Ames Simmons, Senior Lecturing Fellow at Duke University, is here to share some eye-opening insights that will make you think twice about aging and identity.

Key points covered in this episode:

✔️Bridging LGBTQ Health Policy and Activism: The Ames Simmons Way

Get ready to meet Ames Simmons, the brilliant, queer, white, and transgender man teaching at Duke University School of Law. Not content with two degrees, he's pursuing a graduate certificate in LGBT Health Policy & Practice at George Washington University. 

✔️ Mind Matters: The Struggle with Cognitive Decline Among Transgender People

Transgender folks are almost six times more likely to experience cognitive decline than their cisgender counterparts.

✔️ The Double Whammy: How Aging and Transgender Identity Intersect

It's possible that dementia could bring about a newfound gender fluidity or even cause someone to forget they've undergone gender-affirming procedures. It's a puzzling and sensitive issue that deserves more attention and understanding.

✔️ Forget-Me-Not: Memory Loss in the Transgender Community

A report from the Pride Study found that older trans adults who had experienced transgender-related discrimination were seven and a half times more likely to report poor or fair memory.

✔️ “Perceived Powerlessness Feedback Loop”

Trans people fear being discriminated against and receiving worse treatment in long-term care due to past experiences with healthcare discrimination.

✔️ Beyond the Statistics: Transgender People Have Higher Suicide Risk

It's essential that we provide intensive mental health support to help these individuals thrive in a safer and affirming environment.

✔️ Dementia Doesn't Discriminate—and Neither Should We

Let's raise awareness and support for Dementia in Transgender People because everyone deserves compassionate care and understanding.

✔️ Say Goodbye to Lone Battles: Get Help With One Click

Howdy, healthcare heroes and fabulous LGBTQ+ folks! Don't fret if you're a bit confused about dementia and transgender topics. We've got your back with some mighty useful resources. Take a peek, and let us help you out!

Trans Inclusivity in Alzheimer’s Care with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC):

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Long-Term Care Equality Index:

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Cicero, E.C., Lett, E., Flatt, J.D., Benson, G.P., & Epps, F. (2023). Transgender adults from minoritized ethnoracial groups in the U.S. report a greater subjective cognitive decline. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, gbad012:

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✔️ Looking To Reach Out To Ames?

Hey there, darling! Have no fear; the solution is easy peasy lemon squeezy. All you gotta do is fire off an email to simmons@law.duke.edu.

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If you have questions or comments or need help, please feel free to drop a one-minute audio or video clip and email it to me at melissabphd@gmail.com, and I will get back to you by recording an answer to your question. 

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About Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN:

I earned my Bachelor of Science in Nursing ('96) and Master of Science in Nursing ('00) as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) from the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) School of Nursing (SON). I genuinely enjoy working with the complex medical needs of older adults. I worked full-time for five years as FNP in geriatric primary care across many long-term care settings (skilled nursing homes, assisted living, home, and office visits), then transitioned into academic nursing in 2005, joining the faculty at UNCW SON as a lecturer. I obtained my PhD in Nursing and a post-master's Certificate in Nursing Education from the Medical University of South Carolina College of Nursing ('11). I then joined the faculty at Duke University School of Nursing as an Assistant Professor. My family moved to northern Virginia in 2015 which led to me joining the George Washington University (GW) School of Nursing faculty in 2018 as a (tenured) Associate Professor. I am also the Director of the GW Center for Aging, Health, and Humanities. Please find out more about her work at [ Ссылка ].

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