May 18, 2023
Conversations about emergency or end-of-life care can be challenging, even for those confident in their preferences. Accepting our mortality can be difficult, and relying on someone else to make decisions during a crisis can be daunting. Nonetheless, these discussions are critical to ensure you receive appropriate care.
As individuals who identify as transgender or gender-nonconforming may need gender-affirming healthcare and often encounter discrimination when seeking care, creating advance healthcare plans is crucial. These plans can help ensure all healthcare needs are met, and barriers to care are addressed proactively.
Having an advanced directive in place can also provide peace of mind knowing that both clients and advocates are prepared for various situations.
Get ready to learn about Advance Directives for Transgender Folks on another episode of This Is Getting Old: Moving Towards an Age-Friendly World! Our amazing guest, Ames Simmons, Senior Lecturing Fellow at Duke University, will shed light on why having one is crucial.
Trust us, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone who wants to ensure their wishes are respected, and their rights are protected.
Key points covered in this episode:
✔️ Ames Simmons: Bridging the Gap between LGBTQ Health Policy and Community-Based Activism
Meet Ames Simmons - a brilliant, queer, white, transgender man with a senior fellowship at Duke University School of Law. He's diving deeper into LGBT Health Policy & Practice by pursuing a graduate certificate at George Washington University.
As a champion for community-based anti-racism, anti-violence, and anti-poverty efforts, he's fighting for justice and collective liberation for transgender people. Ames is a seasoned policy director with impressive experience at the National Center for Transgender Equality and Equality North Carolina.
He spent seventeen years at a healthcare company, helping uninsured patients get on Medicaid. Ames earned his Juris Doctor degree from Emory University Law School after attending Agnes Scott College. Basically, he's a rock star.
✔️ Break the Taboo: Talking About Advance Directives
As we consider the intersection of LGBTQ and trans/non-binary communities, it's vital to acknowledge and address our death-denying culture. Death is often taboo and feared, especially within families. We must prioritize advance care planning and initiating difficult conversations sooner to destigmatize this natural part of life.
An advance directive, a.k.a a living will, often merges with the healthcare power of attorney (HCPOA) within a single document. This guide provides healthcare providers with specific instructions, ensuring patients' preferences are respected.
✔️ The Missing Piece in Transgender Healthcare: Advance Directives
Hey, did you hear the stat? Only 10% of transgender folks have filled out advance directives. Can't blame them when you're more focused on finding your next meal or roof over your head. Plus, it's tough when you don't have a big support system to rely on for help with healthcare decisions. Let's spread the word and ensure everyone gets the care they need.
✔️ Don't Diminish Our Identity: Transgender Patients Face Unique Risks in Long-Term Care
Sadly, transgender people are more likely to experience unsupportive families and discriminatory medical care. This is especially concerning when facing potential cognitive decline or entering long-term care facilities. We need to stay vigilant and advocate for patients of all identities!
✔️ Gender Affirmation, Even With Dementia: Care Options For Trans Folks
Because your identity matters, today and always make your healthcare wishes crystal clear in a living will, and think about whether it’s important to you to state your gender identity too.
Choose a trusted healthcare agent to protect you if you have non-affirming family members. You deserve the best care possible, so if you can and it feels safe enough, don't be afraid to advocate for yourself!
✔️ Don't Leave Your Healthcare Decisions Up In The Air!
You've got style, you've got flair, and you deserve to have a say in your healthcare! Transgender folk, make sure you have a plan in place by discussing advance care options with your provider. And for all our older adults and people living with a disability, good news: Medicare's got your back and will cover those important conversations. Take charge of your health - you deserve it!
✔️ No One Has to Go Through This Alone: Help Is a Click Away
Hey, healthcare pros and LGBTQ+ fam, if you're feeling lost on those advance directives, we got you! Check out these handy dandy resources:
Medicare's got your back with reimbursement for 30-minute services on advance care planning (aka filling out those pesky forms). Let them pay you for your expertise!
Transgender Law Center's life planning resources that break down advance directives and guide trans individuals to consider their values and gender identity.
Compassion and Choices also have your back with their LGBTQ engagement project, spreading the word about the significance of advance directives.
And for those in Chicago, The Care Plan is an organization that caters to LGBTQ individuals for end-of-life care and treatment decision-making.
Don't leave your future unplanned – take charge with these fantastic resources.
✔️ Want To Get In Touch With Ames?
Good news, darling - it couldn't be easier! Simply shoot an email to simmons@law.duke.edu. And if you want to stay in the loop and see what Ames is up to, check out his Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or connect with him on LinkedIn. Stay fabulous!
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 https://melissabphd.com/.