Eastbourne woman joins calls for support for LGBTQ+ with dementia

As Pride takes place this weekend, the Alzheimer’s Society says it is vital that people in the LGBTQ+ community can access support that feels safe, inclusive and relevant.

Christine "Chris" Maddocks, a former police officer from Eastbourne, was diagnosed with dementia in 2016 at the age of 60 and is also part of the LGBTQ+ community.

Eastbourne resident, Christine Maddocks

Chris said: “When you have a dementia diagnosis, that is a stigma. But being part of the LGBTQ+ community is another stigma, so you are almost double stigmatised.

“I live with my partner so am luckier than some, but many LGBTQ+ people with dementia do not have partners and have not always got great family support.”

Chris was part of the Alzheimer’s Society’s campaign called Bring Dementia Out, sharing the fears and challenges both she and others living with dementia can face.  

She added: “I spoke with a transgender man who needs to take hormone tablets each day but is extremely worried about getting to a point in the near future when he won’t remember his medication.

Alzheimer’s Society staff and volunteers at London Pride, 2019.

“I have gone for medical appointments and professionals mentioned my friend with me, when it was my partner. 

“When I called my GP surgery recently on behalf of my partner, they asked for his name, when all they needed to do was ask what my partner’s name is.

“There are so many wrong assumptions made that cause difficulty and pain, but it only requires small changes to make a large and positive difference to those identifying as LGBTQ+.

“A lot of people in the older generation will have grown up during a time when homosexuality was illegal. 

“Due to dementia, they can regress to a time years earlier and start going back to a place in their mind when they were criminalised and outcast, causing strong symptoms of anxiety and fright.

“It is so important to see the person first and not their sexuality or dementia.”

There are more than 26,500 people estimated to be living with dementia across Sussex. 

To better support people with the condition from the LGBTQ+ community, the Alzheimer’s Society is calling for:

• Support services to be LGBTQ+ inclusive and to recognise how important gender identity and sexuality is to those with dementia.
• For more dedicated LGBTQ+ services to be available for those who wish to use them.
• Everyone affected by dementia, regardless of gender or sexuality, receives the information, advice and support that feels safe and relevant to them.