The Importance of Advance Care Planning in the LGBTQ+ Community
3/21/2023
Michaela Tong, MD, Aspirus Family Medicine Physician.
More than 39 million
people in the U.S. are age 65 years or older. 2.4 million of those identify as
lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ+), according to the
American Psychological Association (APA).
LGBTQ+ Health
Awareness Week, observed this year between March 20-24, aims to promote the
health and well-being of the LGBTQ+ community, as well as educate the public
about the unique health risks and challenges that serve as barriers of access
and retention to health care.
Although significant
social and legal changes have prompted increased visibility of this growing
population, LGBTQ+ elders have faced decades of stigmatization, lack of
identity-affirming treatment and experiences of discrimination. These
experiences can reinforce social isolation and avoidance of needed health care
and social services later in life.
“It’s absolutely
necessary for all community members to have access to culturally-responsive
health services, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and/or
gender expression,” says Michaela
Tong, MD, Aspirus Family Medicine Physician. “There are some unique health
care considerations for LGBTQ+ patients even though their needs are in many
ways identical to those of non-LGBTQ+ patients.”
One of those notable
differences is familial relationships.
“LGBTQ+ patients may
have an interpretation of family that falls outside of traditional or
biological relations. Instead, they may have close friends or partners that
aren’t recognized by the model of traditional policy, thought or practice in
our society.”
Dr. Tong adds “when it
comes to end-of-life care, it doesn’t really matter what the patient’s
relationship is to their chosen family because Wisconsin is not a ‘next of kin’
state. What that means is that if a patient does not designate another person
to speak to his/her/their health care wishes, the responsibility would transfer
to the hospital’s ethics board.” This is true for both LGBTQ+ patients and
their non-LGBTQ+ peers.
Authority to act on
another’s behalf regarding health care decisions, otherwise known as the health
care power of attorney (POA), is documented in a legal contract signed by the
patient, according to the Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources (GWAAR).
If there is no designated POA at the time of medical care, a patient’s friend,
family or spouse can petition for guardianship, but it will come at a high cost
and can take months in the court system.
“What’s important to
note is that designating a power of attorney puts the decision-making power
into the patient’s hands - and the hands of people they trust,” says Dr. Tong. “Signing legally binding
documents such as an advance directive can help ensure that your wishes are
carried out and that your chosen POA is empowered to speak on your behalf.”
Everyone is encouraged
to start their advance care planning in the event of a medical emergency where
they are unable to advocate for themselves. Start today and request an “Advance Care Planning Kit” be
sent to you by calling the Aspirus
Customer Contact Center from 8:00 am to 5:30 pm
at 715-847-2380 or 800-847-4707. For more information about
advance care planning, visit www.aspirus.org/advance-directives.
If you need
gender-affirming medical care, you are welcome at Aspirus Health Family
Medicine Residency Program. The faculty, residents and staff at Aspirus Wausau
Family Medicine have been trained in culturally sensitive and gender-affirming
care. To make an appointment, call (715) 675-3391.
Share:
Back to all Posts
Popularity:
This record has been viewed 197 times.