Debra Tyler-Horton
A family caregiver is defined as an adult age 18 or older who is providing unpaid, short-term or long-term care to a parent, spouse, friend or other adult loved one who needs help with everyday activities and personal tasks such as transportation, managing finances, scheduling appointments, shopping, bathing, dressing, preparing meals, wound care and/or medication management.
For those who are part of the LGBT community, we need to understand and enhance a unique caregiver support structure often made up of “family of choice” friends rather than blood relatives. “What we do, we do for all” is a guiding principle articulated by our founder, distinguished educator Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, and we proudly carry it forward.
AARP’s unwavering commitment to the LGBT community reflects our core belief in the dignity, worth, and potential of every individual. We reject discrimination based on a person’s age, race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We see diversity as a source of strength.
Our commitment can be measured by what we say—and what we do. With almost 900,000 of our nearly 38 million members self-identifying as LGBT, AARP may have one of the largest constituencies of LGBT members among US membership organizations. We are dedicated to the principle that LGBT individuals should not face discrimination from entities that 50+ adults traditionally rely upon for support, such as health care institutions, housing centers, meal providers, senior centers, and other vital government services. At AARP, we work hard every day to fight for and equip individuals to live their best lives. For more information about available resources, please visit www.aarp.org/pride.
