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Older gay, lesbian and bisexual people in the UK: a policy brief
- Author:
- MUSINGARIMI Primrose
- Publisher:
- International Longevity Centre UK
- Publication year:
- 2008
- Pagination:
- 7p.
- Place of publication:
- London
It is well known that the population of the UK is ageing - for the first time ever, there are more individuals aged 60 and older than those aged 16 and younger. The proportion of people 60 years or older, constituting nearly one fifth of the population, is expected to increase in the coming decades. Whilst much is known about this population, to date not much attention has been focused on older lesbian, gay and bisexual people (LGB). Older people are the main users of health and social care services and, with regards to older LGB people, it to be understood is whether they have different needs from those of their heterosexual counterparts. If so, how are these needs different? How can service providers meet these needs and therefore ensure that this group of older people is treated with dignity, respect and fairness? This brief summarises what is known about the demographics of older LGB people. How many older LGB are there in the UK? What are their living situations? Do they face stigma and discrimination and how does this impact on how they access formal services?
Health issues affecting older gay, lesbian and bisexual people in the UK: a policy brief
- Author:
- MUSINGARIMI Primrose
- Publisher:
- International Longevity Centre UK
- Publication year:
- 2008
- Pagination:
- 6p.
- Place of publication:
- London
Very little is known about the health outcomes and health care needs of older LGB people in the UK and how they compare to those of heterosexual individuals. Most of the research that is done on health issues and LGB people does not distinguish between young and old. Even when such research is done, there can be the methodological challenges including difficulties of recruiting participants; difficulties defining homosexual and bisexual and identity and fear of disclosure of sexual orientation by subjects taking part in the research. This policy brief focuses on social care issues that may be faced by older LGB people in the UK. LGB people may have a number of special needs regarding their health and accessing healthcare services. Inequalities in meeting the healthcare needs of lesbian, gay or bisexual people can exist largely because of negative experiences related to discrimination, homophobia and heterosexism. This report concludes that stigma and discrimination that is experienced across the life course is likely to have a detrimental effect on health in later life, but there is no research evidence documenting this. More research in this area is needed.
Housing issues affecting older gay. Lesbian and bisexual people in the UK: a policy brief
- Author:
- MUSINGARIMI Primrose
- Publisher:
- International Longevity Centre UK
- Publication year:
- 2008
- Pagination:
- 7p.
- Place of publication:
- London
The need for good housing is one which transcends age and sexuality - access to decent housing has major implications for the health and wellbeing of individuals. As individuals grow older they are more likely to spend more time in their homes for a number of reasons which may include frailty and decreased mobility. This policy brief focuses on housing issues that may be faced by older lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people in the UK. Older LGBs comprise approximately 5-7% of the population of older people in the UK, and to date, very little research has been undertaken to investigate what their needs are and how service providers can meet those needs. Looking at the questions such as ‘are residential communities specifically for older LGBs the answer?’, and examining issues relating to the attitudes of providers, this paper report concludes by noting the concerns about potentially homophobic individuals coming into the homes of LGBs, the attitudes of management and other residents, and whether they might have to go ‘back into the closet’. Some older LGB people have expressed the desire to live in retirement communities that are specifically for them and such housing should be provided as option.