LGBT ageing

LGBT ageing addresses issues and concerns related to ageing and minority sexualities or gender identities. Older LGBT* people are marginalised by: a) younger LGBT people, because of ageism and age discrimination; and b) by older age social networks because of heteronormativity (the assumption that heterosexuality is the norm), heterosexism (the privileging of heterosexuality), biphobia, homophobia and transphobia (prejudice and discrimination towards LGBT people).

Research overview

There has been a growth of interest in lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) ageing in recent years.[1] There is a growing body of academic literature on the subject from the USA,[2] the UK,[3] Australia,[4] Canada,[5] the Netherlands [6] and Ireland.[7] There is also a number of documents from social policy and/or campaign organisations, particularly in relation to health and social care issues, for example from the Metlife Mature Market Institute.[8]

The earliest waves of research sought ‘to challenge the image of the lonely and bitter old queer’ [9] and ‘suggested that older gay men and lesbians are not alone, isolated, or depressed but benefit from navigating a stigmatized identity through crisis competence’,[10] which also informs resilience in dealing with inequalities associated with older age. Subsequent authors questioned the positive bias which may have been present in some of these initial studies.[11] More recent research has focused on health, housing and social care and support needs,[12] older LGBT rights [13] and also the differences between and among older LGBT* individuals, particularly in relation to gender.[14] There is a lack of research on Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) older LGBT* individuals, ageing and bisexuality, issues of class and other intersections.[15][16]

Informal social support

Present cohorts of older lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGBT) people are more likely to be estranged from their biological families, less likely to have children, and thus less likely to have access to intergenerational social support in later life.[17][18] They may have strong ‘family of friends’ networks, but as these tend to be formed by people of similar ages, when, in older age, they need increased care and support at around the same time, they are then also less likely to be able to provide it to one another.[19] This means that older LGBT people are more likely to need formal social care and support sooner, and in greater numbers, than older heterosexual people, particularly, for those in couples, after a partner has died.[20] Older trans* people with children, particularly those who have transitioned in later life, can experience rejection from biological families and so even those with children may lack access to intergenerational support.[21][22]

Housing and social care

Mainstream housing and social care provision (domicilary/home care, community care, supported housing, retirement and nursing home facilities) is ill-equipped to meet the needs of older LGBT* people.[23] Many older LGBT people currently living in older age accommodation and/or care spaces try to conceal their lives, identities and significant relationships if they can.[24] They fear being misunderstood, vulnerable to prejudice and discrimination and/or isolated from their families and friends.[25] They are especially concerned about care if they develop dementia, in terms of 'coming out to care'[26] whether their identities will be respected, their memories validated, and who will be there to speak up for them.[27][28] In response to these isues and concerns a range of good practice guidelines have been developed in the USA, for example focussing on cultural competence[29][30] or more practical step-by-step advice,[31] UK,[32] and Australia.[33] However, it is not yet clear how many commissioners and providers of services for older people are following these guidelines, and many older LGBT people continue to consider older age care spaces to be unsafe places in which to spend their final years.[34]

See also

Note

Trans* is an umbrella term which covers the gender identity spectrum: including (but not limited to) transgender, transsexual, transvestite, genderqueer, genderfluid, non-binary, genderless, agender, non-gendered, third gender, two-spirit and bigender[35]

References

  1. ↑ Westwood, S, King, Andy, Almack, Kathy and Suen, Y-T (2015) Good Practice in Health and Social Care Provision for Older LGBT people. In J. Fish and Kate Karban (eds) Social Work and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Health Inequalities: International Perspectives pp 145-159. Bristol: Policy Press.
  2. ↑ Kimmel, Douglas, Rose, Tara and David, Steven (eds) (2006). Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Ageing. New York: Columbia University Press.
  3. ↑ Cronin, Ann (2006). ‘Sexuality in gerontology: A heteronormative presence, a queer absence.’ In S.O. Daatland and S. Biggs (eds) Ageing and Diversity: Multiple Pathways & Cultural Migrations, pp. 107-122. Bristol: Policy Press.
  4. ↑ Harrison, Jo (2006). ‘Coming Out Ready or Not! Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Ageing and Aged Care in Australia: Reflections, Contemporary Developments and the Road Ahead.’ Gay & Lesbian Issues and Psychology Review, 2(2): 44-53.
  5. ↑ Brotman, Shari, et. al. (2007). ‘Coming Out to Care: Caregivers of Gay and Lesbian Seniors in Canada.’ Gerontologist, 47: 490-503.
  6. ↑ Fokkema, Tineke and Kuyper, Lisette (2009). ‘The Relation Between Social Embeddedness and Loneliness among Older Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Adults in the Netherlands.’ Archives of Sexual Behavior, 38(2): 264-275.
  7. ↑ GLEN, Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (2011) Visible Lives: Identifying the experiences and needs of older lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Ireland. Dublin: GLEN.
  8. ↑ Metlife Mature Market Institute, Lesbian and Gay Aging Issues Network of the AmericanSociety on Aging, & Zogby International. (2006). Out and Aging: The Metlife Study of Lesbian and Gay Baby Boomers: https://www.metlife.com/assets/cao/mmi/publications/studies/mmi-out-aging-lesbian-gay-retirement.pdf; Metlife Mature Market Institute, Lesbian and Gay Aging Issues Network of the AmericanSociety on Aging, & Zogby International. (2010). Still Out, Still Aging TheMetLife Study of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Baby Boomers: http://www.metlife.com/mmi/research/still-out-still-aging.html#findings
  9. ↑ Hughes, Mark (2006). ‘Queer ageing.’ Gay and Lesbian Issues and Psychology Review, 2(2): 54-59, p. 57.
  10. ↑ Fredriksen-Goldsen, Karen I. and Muraco, Anna (2010). ‘Aging and Sexual Orientation: A 25-year review of the literature.’ Research on Aging, 32(3): 372-413, p.402
  11. ↑ Berger, Raymond (1996). Gay and Gray: The Older Homosexual Man, Second Edition. New York: Routledge.
  12. ↑ Carr, S. and Ross, P. (2013) Assessing current and future housing and support options for older LGB people. York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
  13. ↑ Knauer, N. (2009). ‘LGBT Elder Law: Toward Equity in Aging.’ Harvard Journal of Law and Gender, 32, 301-358.
  14. ↑ Averett, Paige , Yoon, Intae and Jenkins, Carol L. (2012). ‘Review of the Literature on Older Lesbians: Implications for Education, Practice, and Research.’ Journal of Applied Gerontology, 31(4): 537-561.
  15. ↑ Cronin, Ann, et. al. (2011). ‘Categories and their consequences: Understanding and supporting the caring relationships of older lesbian, gay and bisexual people.’ International Social Work, 54(3): 421-435.
  16. ↑ Gupta, Kat Where are Our Elders? http://mixosaurus.co.uk/2015/01/where-are-our-elders-2/
  17. ↑ Guasp, A. (2011). Lesbian, gay and bisexual people in later life. London: Stonewall.
  18. ↑ Westwood, S. (2015) We See it as Being Heterosexualised, Being Put into a Care Home’: Gender, sexuality and housing/care preferences among older LGBT individuals in the UK. Health and Social Care in the Community. doi: 10.1111/hsc.12265 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/hsc.12265/abstract
  19. ↑ Musingarimi, Primrose (2008). Housing Issues Affecting Older Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual People in the UK: A Policy Brief. London: The International Longevity Centre – UK (ILCUK).
  20. ↑ Almack, Kathryn, Seymour, Jane and Bellamy, Gary (2010). ‘Exploring the Impact of Sexual Orientation on Experiences and Concerns about End of Life Care and on Bereavement for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Older People.’ Sociology, 44(5): 908-924.
  21. ↑ Cook-Daniels, L. (2006). Trans Ageing. In D. Kimmel, T. Rose and S. David, S. (eds) Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Ageing, pp 20-35. New York: Columbia University Press.
  22. ↑ Bailey, L, (2012) Trans ageing: thoughts on a life course approach in order to better understand trans lives, in R, Ward, I, Rivers and M, Sutherland (eds) Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender ageing: Biographical approaches for inclusive care and support, pp 51-66. London and Philadelphia, PA: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
  23. ↑ Addis, S, et. al., 2009, The health, social care and housing needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender older people: A review of the literature, Health and Social Care in the Community, 17(6), 647-658.
  24. ↑ Hash, K. M., & Netting, F. E. (2009). It takes a community: Older lesbians meeting social and care needs. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services, 21(4), 326-342.
  25. ↑ Westwood, S. (2015) We See it as Being Heterosexualised, Being Put into a Care Home’: Gender, sexuality and housing/care preferences among older LGBT individuals in the UK. Health and Social Care in the Community. doi: 10.1111/hsc.12265 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/hsc.12265/abstract
  26. ↑ Price, E. (2010). Coming out to care: Gay and lesbian carers’ experiences of dementia services. Health and Social Care in the Community, 18(6), 160–168.
  27. ↑ Withall, L. (2014) Dementia, Transgender And Intersex People: Do Service Providers Really Know What Their Needs Are? Melbourne: Alzheimer’s Australia.
  28. ↑ Westwood, S. (2015) Dementia, women and sexuality: How the intersection of ageing, gender and sexuality magnify dementia concerns among older lesbian and bisexual women. Dementia: The International Journal of Social Research and Practice, doi: 1471301214564446.
  29. ↑ Gendron, Tracey, et. al. (2013). ‘Cultural Competence Training for Healthcare Professionals Working with LGBT*\ Older Adults.’ Educational Gerontology 39(6): 454-463.
  30. ↑ Fredriksen-Goldsen, K. I., et al (2014). Creating a vision for the future: Key competencies and strategies for culturally competent practice with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) older adults in the health and human services. Journal of Gerontological Social Work. Advanced on-line access. doi: 10.1080/01634372.2014.890690
  31. ↑ SAGE (2014) LGBT Programming for Older Adults: A Practical Step-by-Step Guide on LGBT Aging SAGE's National Resource Center on LGBT Aging http://www.lgbtagingcenter.org/resources/resource.cfm?r=705
  32. ↑ Westwood, S, King, Andy, Almack, Kathy and Suen, Y-T (2015) Good Practice in Health and Social Care Provision for Older LGBT people. In J. Fish and Kate Karban (eds) Social Work and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Health Inequalities: International Perspectives pp 145-159. Bristol: Policy Press.
  33. ↑ GRAI and CHIRI (GLBTI Retirement Association Inc and Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute), 2010, Best practice guidelines: Accommodating older gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans and intersex (GLBTI)people, Perth: GRAI and CHIRI.
  34. ↑ 'LGBT older people with dementia should not be forced back into the closet' https://www.theguardian.com/social-care-network/2015/mar/10/lgbt-older-people-dementia-social-care
  35. ↑ Tompkins, A. (2014). Asterisk. TSQ: Transgender Studies Quarterly, 1(1-2), p. 26-27.

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