Recruiting Sexual and Gender Minority Older Adults With and Without Dementia in Long-Term Care: Overcoming Barriers and Lessons Learned

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) older adults, including those in long-term care and living with cognitive impairment, are underrepresented in research. This study explored barriers and facilitators to recruiting SGM older adults using long-term services and supports (LTSS) into research. As part of a broader project on SGM policies in LTSS, we conducted qualitative interviews with 20 assisted living and nursing home administrators identified through a related survey. Thematic analysis revealed three key themes: difficulty identifying SGM residents, the need to address discrimination by other residents, and special considerations when working with SGM residents who have Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias (AD/ADRD). These findings highlight the importance of developing strategies to identify SGM participants, mitigate discrimination, and ensure appropriate consent processes for those with cognitive impairment. The results offer guidance for researchers aiming to ethically and effectively include SGM older adults with AD/ADRD in LTSS settings.