Successful Aging Among Older LGBTQIA+ People: Future Research and Implications

A life course perspective on sexual minorities: Implications for the study of homophobic prejudice and discrimination

“…Still, institutional transformations (i.e., anti‐discrimination laws, equitable healthcare practices, sexual minority considerations in housing/paid care settings) are needed to ensure that social environments are free of homophobic stressors, as equitable treatment will lead to more successful aging experiences among sexual minorities. In other words, the onus cannot simply be on individuals to develop coping strategies for maintaining resiliency (see also Pereira & Banerjee, 2021; Robinson & Schmitz, 2021). Should these structural changes occur, it is likely that younger sexual minorities will have fewer distinctive aging‐related challenges and an easier time adapting to the aging process.…”

Healthy Longevity Among the LGBTQIA+ Population: From Neglect to Meeting Their Needs

“…In order to meet the specific needs of older LGBTQIA+ people, the impact of healthcare access, social isolation, loneliness, well-being, health behaviors, quality of life, HIV/AIDS-related conditions, independence and autonomy, loss of decision making, life course trajectories, lifelong trauma, the impact of sexual stigma discrimination, spirituality, religion and religiosity, cultural/affirmative competence, and the COVID-19 pandemic on older LGBTQIA+ people may need to be defined. Examining different generations in the context of various cultural perspectives and global initiatives, alongside adopting intersectional approaches and longitudinal, population, qualitative and innovative study designs, also seems necessary [ 7 ].…”

“…Advancing research data in the abovementioned areas will allow interventions to be guided in a manner adjusted to the unique needs of older LGBTQIA+ people through (a) critical models of healthy longevity that challenge heteronormativity, heterosexism, homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia, and allow barriers to access to formal and informal care from psychosocial support structures to be overcome; (b) the creation of affirmatively positioned theoretical models to accommodate intersectional and multilevel resilience-based views aimed at the explicit validation of older people’s LGBTQIA+ identities; (c) promoting visibility that prevents older LGBTQIA+ people from returning to the closet at this stage of life, giving them voice and dignity; (d) developing appropriate infrastructure where their needs, values, and wishes are respected; and (e) providing formal education and training opportunities for professionals working with older people on LGBTQIA+ issues and healthy and dignified longevity [ 7 ].…”