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Comparing supports for LGBT aging in rural versus urban areas
- Authors:
- LEE Michael G., QUAM Jean K.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 56(2), 2013, pp.112-126.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
The growing body of research on ageing in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals largely underrepresents the experiences of older adults living in rural parts of the United States. The purpose of this article is to examine the reported experiences of rural respondents in a nationwide study of LGBT baby boomers. Its specific focus includes 3 variables that are believed to contribute to a LGBT individual’s satisfaction with the process of growing old: level of outness and acceptance of one’s own LGBT identity; social and familial support; and household income and asset levels. The study comprised a secondary analysis of data for a sample of 1,201 individuals from the nationwide study ‘Still Out, Still Aging’(2010). The findings show that rural individuals reported lower levels of outness, guardedness with people including siblings and close friends, and lower levels of household income. The article concludes that providers should consider strategies for connecting older rural LGBT adults for potential care and support.
Shaping futures: LGBT people growing older: report from a seminar of 11th May 2004
- Author:
- CENTRE FOR RESEARCH ON FAMILIES AND RELATIONSHIPS
- Publisher:
- Centre for Research on Families and Relationships
- Publication year:
- 2004
- Pagination:
- 11p.
- Place of publication:
- Edinburgh
This publication reports on the ‘Shaping Futures - LGBT People Growing Older’ forum that brought together service planners and managers, academics and LGBT organisations in the fields of ageing, health and social care to identify LGBT ageing issues and to initiate responses to inform a respectful and caring future for LGBT older adults.
Queer aging: implications for social work practice with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer older adults
- Author:
- FABBRE Vanessa D.
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work: A journal of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), 62(1), 2017, pp.73-76.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
The social work profession has rapidly increased its awareness and inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity issues in practice discourse in recent years. This increased awareness includes ageing issues and extends the profession's commitment to the well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) older adults. Notably, social workers now have access to the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging (2016) and its plethora of resources for promoting the healthy ageing of LGBTQ older adults. This practice update offers guidance for practitioners who wish to enhance their abilities to support older LGBTQ clients. Specifically, the author proposes that the concept of queer ageing can be used as motivation for increasing self-awareness and attention to structural issues in direct practice. (Edited publisher abstract)
Only connect? older lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) adults and social capital
- Authors:
- CRONIN Ann, KING Andrew
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 34(2), 2014, pp.258-279.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
The concept of social capital is widely used in the social sciences and has, to an extent, been applied to the lives and social networks of older lesbian, gay and bisexual (hereafter LGB) adults. Developing existing research, this paper argues that while not without its problems, the concept of social capital enriches our understanding of these networks, whilst simultaneously deconstructing the negative stereotypes surrounding homosexuality in later life. However, little attention has been paid to the social factors that mediate access and participation in lesbian and gay communities and the implications of this on the quality and experience of later life. Drawing on qualitative research conducted in the United Kingdom, this paper illustrates how biography, gender and socio-economic status are significant mediators in the development and maintenance of social capital by older LGB adults. It concludes with a set of recommendations aimed at improving the social capital of older LGB adults, together with the importance of ‘queering’ the concept itself. (Publisher abstract)
Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender aging: challenges in research, practice and policy
- Authors:
- WITTEN Tarynn M., EYLER A. Evan
- Publisher:
- Johns Hopkins University Press
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 360p.
- Place of publication:
- Baltimore, MD
Writing from a US perspective, the editors examine the way in which the greying of the population brings into focus sexual and gender minorities and address the challenges of aging in the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and intersex populations. An introductory overview compares caregiving in GLBT and normative aging communities and considers what is currently known about aging GLBT individuals and what services are needed to support them. Experts in their field contribute chapters on each alternative sexuality and gender identity community. They discuss biomedical, psychological, social/sexual, spiritual, socioeconomic, and service topics related to that community's aging needs. Despite GLBT populations facing unique challenges as they age, many individuals live out their final years with dignity and grace. The book covers the latest biological and social science research, includes case studies and first-person accounts, offers practical advice for health professionals, and provides research literature citations. It is aimed at students and professionals in gerontology, medicine, social work, psychology, nursing, public health, and related fields who wish to learn more about the life experiences and concerns of sexual and gender-minority-identified older patients.
Training, geography, and provision of aging services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender older adults
- Authors:
- KNOCKEL K. Abel, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 55(5), July 2012, pp.426-443.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) older adults avoid needed medical, social and long-term care, and hide their identities when they do access such services. The aim of this study was to explore the readiness of providers of ageing services to provide culturally appropriate services to LGBT clients. An online survey was conducted of leaders of 320 Area Agencies on Aging to understand their services, training, and beliefs about serving LGBT older adults. The findings showed that few agencies provided LGBT services or outreach. One-third had trained staff around LGBT ageing and four-fifths were willing to offer training; these numbers were significantly higher for urban-based agencies. Agencies that had provided staff training and urban-based agencies were more likely: to provide LGBT outreach and services; to believe in addressing LGBT issues; and to receive LGBT assistance requests. Training, policy, organising, and research implications are discussed.
Awareness of LGBT aging issues among aging services network providers
- Authors:
- HUGHES Anne K., HAROLD Rena D., BOYER Janet M.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 54(7), October 2011, pp.659-677.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered older population is estimated to stand at around 3 million people in the United States. Yet little research exists exploring the interactions between community-based ageing service providers and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) older adults. As a result, it is unclear whether mainstream ageing services acknowledge the needs of this community. This study asked direct care providers and administrators in the Michigan ageing services network to describe their work with LGBT older adults. Eighty seven self-administered surveys were completed. Findings indicated very few services specific to the needs of older LGBT adults and very little outreach to this community. At the agency level, resistance to providing services was found. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.
LGBTQ+ ageing in Northern Ireland: understanding the lived experiences and exploring inequalities that exist for ageing LGBTQ+ population in Northern Ireland
- Author:
- MACKLE Danielle
- Publisher:
- ARK
- Publication year:
- 2021
- Pagination:
- 8
- Place of publication:
- Newtownabbey
This briefing paper presents evidence on the inequalities that exist for the ageing LGBTQ+ population in Northern Ireland and highlights key findings and recommendations. The evidence is drawn from published studies, data from the Northern Ireland Life and Times survey (2012; 2018) and specifically from an in-depth research study that explored the human development and well-being of the LGBTQ+ community in Northern Ireland (NI) (Mackle, 2019). The in-depth study comprised 35 semi-structured interviews with individuals identifying as LGBTQ+ and five interviews with stakeholder organisations. Key findings include: there is a fear of ageing among the ageing LGBTQ+ population in Northern Ireland; the stigma that older LGBTQ+ people may have faced in their earlier years is encountered again in predominantly heteronormative, and often homo/bi/transphobic, care environments; research has identified that discrimination against the older LGBTQ+ population can manifest in different ways within formal care settings; there is a lack of knowledge and understanding in relation to sexual orientation/gender identity and minority stress amongst health care staff; older LGBTQ+ people are more likely to live alone than their heterosexual peers meaning they are more likely to need formal care arrangements; loneliness and social isolation is a concern for the LGBTQ+ population with 1 in 12 LGBTQ+ people reporting that they have no one to turn to for support; there is a lack of specific health and support services that specifically support LGBTQ+ older people; due to lack of government funding, LGBTQ+ sector support groups do not have any social or support services specific to the older LGBTQ+ community. (Edited publisher abstract)
Predicting perceived isolation among midlife and older LGBT adults: the role of welcoming aging service providers
- Authors:
- YANG Jie, CHU Yoosun, SALMON Mary Anne
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 58(5), 2018, pp.904-912.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Background and Objectives: Older lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) adults are more likely to live alone and less likely to have children compared with their heterosexual counterparts. The lack of immediate family system can render older LGBT adults particularly vulnerable to social isolation and its consequences. The current study utilizes social exclusion theory, which asserts that not only material resources but also engagement with and inclusion into the society are necessary for marginalized people to be integrated into the mainstream. The study examines whether ageing service providers (e.g., senior centres, adult day care, transportation, employment services) who are perceived by older LGBT adults as welcoming to LGBT people may reduce this population’s perceived isolation. Research Design and Methods: Data were collected through a needs assessment survey designed for the ageing LGBT community in North Carolina. Adults aged 45 and over who self-identified as LGBT were recruited at several formal and informal groups. The survey yielded 222 valid responses. The outcome variable was perceived isolation. Key independent variables included having experienced welcoming ageing service providers and living alone. Results: After controlling for potential confounders and demographics, logistic regression results showed that having experienced welcoming ageing service providers was a protective factor against perceived isolation and it also buffered the negative impact of living alone. Discussion and Implications: The findings provided preliminary evidence for a new direction of intervention research—targeting LGBT cultural competence training for medical and social service providers. (Edited publisher abstract)
Older bisexual people: implications for social work from the 'Looking both ways' study
- Authors:
- JONES Rebecca L., ALMACK Kathryn, SCICLUNA Rachael
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 61(3), 2018, pp.334-347.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
There is a growing social work literature about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) older people. However, research and guidance are predominantly based on the experiences of older gay men and, to a lesser extent, older lesbians. There is little to help practitioners work with older bisexual people. The Looking Both Ways study aimed to contribute to this gap in knowledge. We undertook in-depth purposely sampled qualitative interviews with 12 people aged over 50, all of whom have bisexual relationship histories and half of whom also currently identify as bisexual. There were three main findings. First, biphobia (prejudice against bisexual people) impacts on older people with bisexual histories in ways that may affect their well-being in later life. Second, concerns around receiving care are similar in some ways and different in others from the concerns of lesbians and gay men. Third, people with bisexual relationship histories may have developed strong support networks and resilience, factors that may be very beneficial in later life. Three recommendations for social work professionals were identified: 1) understand biphobia, 2) recognize the legitimacy of concerns about receiving care, and 3) ask about support networks rather than assuming family support. (Publisher abstract)