Sexual and Gender Minority Differences in Likelihood of Being a Caregiver and Levels of Caregiver Strain in a Sample of Older Adults.

Abstract

Over the next two decades, the number of caregivers is expected to climb dramatically alongside a rise in older adults, particularly sexual and gender minority (SGM) older adults, yet little research has assessed differences between SGM and non-SGM care partners. Data for these analyses come from the Columbus Healthy Aging Project (N = 79). This study was designed to assess several domains of health among adults aged ≥50 years in Columbus, Ohio, US. Multivariable regression models were used to examine the likelihood of being a care partner, the SGM identity of the primary care recipient, and caregiver strain. In our sample, 227 (28.6%) participants self-identified as care partners for at least one individual. Compared to heterosexuals, gay/lesbian (aOR = 8.38; 95% CI: 5.29, 13.29) participants were more likely to be care partners but did not experience elevated caregiver strain. Bisexual individuals (aIRR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.11, 2.61) reported greater caregiver strain, while those identifying as a different sexual identity reported lower caregiver strain (aIRR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.23, 0.96). In turn, caregiver strain was reduced significantly when the care recipient identified as a member of the SGM community (aIRR = 0.67: 95% CI: 0.55, 0.80). These results suggest that SGM care partners may be at risk of unique stressors which may contribute to extant health disparities.