Older Adult LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) Issues (Research, Video 3:30)

There is no question that older adults who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) belong to a population subjected often to adverse discrimination in society and experience unique health needs. Approximately 2.7 million U.S. older adults self-identify as being members of this population. Many feel unsafe revealing their sexual orientation and may not be willing to reveal their sexual orientation to their medical providers. Institutions that focus on providing them with support must implement more staff development and dissemination of homophobia training and policy changes that positively impact older adult LGBT quality of life.

A research study was done to increase understanding of the experiences and needs of older LGBT adults when accessing healthcare. Results of the study included three major themes. The themes were "Outness," "Things are Different Now," and "Additional Resources." These themes describe participants comfort with being "out," how treatment they received changed over time, and needed services or other options from the community. Healthcare providers must be prepared to create trusting relationships with these individuals to deliver truly comprehensive care.

Aging adds another layer of concerns for those in the older adult LGBT community. Like millions of others in this quickly expanding population, they must think about where and how they will live. This includes serious concerns about discrimination and bullying targeting them in senior communities. This video features LGBTsenior issues related to discrimination in long-term care homes.

 

 

Frances Shani Parker, Author
Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer in Urban Nursing Homes is available in paperback and e-book editions in America and other countries at online and offline booksellers.
Hospice and Nursing Homes Blog

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) and Asexual Long-Term Care Problems (Research, Video 2:48)

LGBT AND ASEXUALITY FLAGS

With many older adults focused on growing old and dying at home, it’s easy to forget that the likelihood of that happening is lower for certain populations. The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) community (same-sex partners) and those who are asexual (no sexual attraction to others) fall into that category. In recent years, asexuality has been scientifically researched as a sexual orientation.

In LGBT research controlling age, race-ethnicity, and education, it was determined that this population faces greater risks of needing long-term care than those living with different-sex partners. These were two of the activity limitations that indicate a need for long-term care:

1)   Difficulty dressing or bathing

Older women living with female partners were significantly more likely than those living with male partners to have difficulty dressing or bathing.

2)   Difficulty doing errands alone

Older men living with male partners were significantly more likely than those living with female partners to need assistance with errands.

These results emphasize further the need for more culturally sensitive education in the ongoing training of healthcare workers, particularly those involved with LGBT residents in long-term care settings. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) older adults living in nursing homes, assisted living, and even those receiving home care from healthcare workers have increasingly been discriminated against and abused by staff and fellow residents. Damage to their emotional and physical health has been so devastating that some LGBT residents have resorted to suicide.

In this video, Paige Faevre shares her personal concerns about living in a long-term care setting and her search for LGBT-friendly housing for older adults.

Frances Shani Parker, Author

Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer in Urban Nursing Homes is available in paperback and e-book editions in America and other countries at online and offline booksellers.

Hospice and Nursing Homes Blog