Q |​ What resources are available on caregiving for trans and gender-expansive people?

 

Check out the resources below to learn more about caregiving in the LGBTQIA+ community:

 

• SAGE Caregiving in the LGBT Community→

• AARP Prepare to Care Guide→​

• Family Caregiver Alliance: Special Concerns of LGBTQ+ Caregivers→

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Q |​ How do I care for my family member or friend after they have gender-affirming surgery?

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Caring for a family member or friend after gender-affirming surgery may include:

 

• Giving emotional support

• Providing safe and stable housing during recovery

• Running errands and doing chores

• Helping with medication reminders

• Helping change dressings over surgical wounds

• Monitoring for pain and other symptoms

 

…and more. What you do to support them after their surgery depends on what they need and how much time and attention you can give. Talk with your family member or friend early before the surgery to decide on the best ways you can support them.

 

Example. The sibling of a nonbinary person comes to stay with them for a few days after their gender-affirming hysterectomy to help with day-to-day activities like cooking, laundry, and pet care while they recover.

Q |​ How can I be a good ally?

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To support trans and gender-expansive people as an ally, consider these action steps:

 

• Support trans or gender-expansive people by respecting them even if you do not understand their lived experience or the way they express their gender.
   

• Keep in mind that the trans and gender-expansive community is diverse, and people express their gender identities in many different ways.
   

• Avoid asking questions about a trans person’s sex assigned at birth, transition history, medications, or sexual relationships unless that person is open to those questions.
   

• Keep learning more about the lives and experiences of trans and gender-expansive people, keeping an open mind and suspending judgement. Check out the Voices page for stories of healthcare from the perspective of trans people. 
   

• Speak out in support of the rights of trans and gender-expansive people and learn about policies affecting health and wellness in the trans community.

 

For more details, check out A Guide to Being a Good Ally→ from Advocates for Trans Equality.

Q |​ What is my role if I am a healthcare proxy?

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It's important to talk with the person naming you as their healthcare proxy about their healthcare goals and preferences BEFORE they face a serious illness or injury and cannot make decisions for themselves.

 

If they become unable to make medical decisions, you would:
 

• Help make medical decisions for them.
   

• Talk with doctors, nurses, and other members of their care team.
   

• Review their medical records.
   

• Make decisions about tests, procedures, and treatments based on their wishes and what is feasible for the situation.

 

As a healthcare proxy you DO NOT make financial decisions, only healthcare decisions, and you are NOT financially responsible for the care of the person you’re representing.

 

For more information about serving as a healthcare proxy, check out Your Guide to Being a Health Care Proxy→ from The Conversation Project.