‘I don’t want to go back into the closet just because I need care’: recognition of older LGBTQ adults in relation to future care needs

Abstract

Olaison (2020) 'I don't want to go back into the closet just because I need care': recognition of older LGBTQ adults in relation to future care needs, European

Comfort Among Older Lesbian and Gay People in Disclosing Their Sexual Orientation to Health and Aged Care Services

“…Our study suggests that more frequent experiences of discrimination could potentially contribute to a lack of feeling fully comfortable to disclose. This is in line with studies that found older lesbian and gay people report fears of disclosing their sexual orientation due to expectations of discrimination (Barrett et al, 2015; Furlotte et al, 2016; Hughes, 2007; Löf & Olaison, 2018; Morales et al, 2014; Putney et al, 2018), so it is possible that previous experiences of discrimination contribute to fears of future discrimination.…”

“…Qualitative studies in Australia have found that some participants expressed feelings of stress around disclosure to health and aged care service providers due to fears of unfair treatment, and felt the need for staff to provide an environment where disclosure was facilitated (Barrett et al, 2015; Hughes, 2007). Qualitative studies in the United States (Putney et al, 2018), Canada (Furlotte et al, 2016), and Europe (Löf & Olaison, 2018) have also found that older lesbian women and gay men report concerns around disclosing their sexual orientation in health and aged care settings due to fear of discrimination. A quantitative study of older LGBT people in the United States found that many participants reported fearing that knowledge of their sexual orientation by their health care providers would lead to differential treatment (Morales et al, 2014).…”

Transgender Competence in Social Work with Older Adults in Sweden

“…Although transgender issues are increasingly discussed in the mass media, the professional knowledge on LGBTQ issues within health and social care is still limited and rarely acknowledges older transgender adults (L€ of & Olaison, 2020;Siverskog, 2014;SOU, 2017:92). As the transgender aging population grows and becomes more visible, there will be an increase in older adults with differing needs and preferences (L€ of & Olaison, 2020;Vincent & Velkoff, 2010). This in turn will mean a diversity of care requests that call for competent social workers who understand the unique needs of older transgender individuals.…”

A Framework for Enhancing Access to Equitable Home Care for 2SLGBTQ+ Communities

“…We now have a much deeper understanding of some of the issues of 2SLGBTQ+ access and equity within health and social care services in Global North societies, with the growing body of research on access to care pointing to the detrimental impact of inequities on the health and well-being of 2SLGBTQ+ individuals and communities. A diversity of topics has been addressed within this scholarship and includes attention to challenges experienced across the life course such as those related to aging [ 15 , 16 , 17 ]; gender identity [ 18 , 19 , 20 ]; racialization [ 21 , 22 , 23 ]; Two-Spirit identity [ 24 , 25 ] health conditions [ 26 , 27 ]; rurality [ 28 , 29 , 30 ]; and health services policy and delivery [ 31 , 32 ].…”