Deep vein thrombosis in an aging transgender patient: Care and cultural considerations

Healthcare needs and assets of gender diverse older adults: A systematic integrative review

“…Fabbre (2015) asserted that this training was necessary because “practitioners in fields such as clinical psychology, social work, counseling, education, and health care are vulnerable to perpetuating heteronormative assumptions about identity and human behavior” (p. 151). For the authors of these studies, affirming and culturally‐sensitive care would incorporate cultural humility, trust‐building, collaboration, diversity, intersectionality, a strengths‐based approach, and a gender minority stress model of care provision, among others principles (Bell & Johnson, 2020; Elder, 2016; Hughto & Reisner, 2018; Jones & Willis, 2016; Kattari & Hasche, 2016; Scharaga et al, 2020; Sloan & Benson, 2021).…”

“…Affirming and culturally‐sensitive approaches to care support the gender identity of the patient or client. Just under half of the studies made reference to the need for affirming and culturally‐sensitive care from healthcare providers for gender diverse older adults (Adan et al, 2021; Bell & Johnson, 2020; Carroll, 2017; Elder, 2016; Fabbre, 2015; Fredriksen‐Goldsen et al, 2019; Hughto & Reisner, 2018; Jones & Willis, 2016; Kattari & Hasche, 2016; Knochel & Flunker, 2021; Scharaga et al, 2020; Sloan & Benson, 2021; Walker et al, 2017; Witten, 2015, 2016). Gender diverse older adults expressed fears of mistreatment when receiving care (Adan et al, 2021; Henry et al, 2020), and the need for training of health and human service providers was termed “critical” (Fredriksen‐Goldsen et al, 2019, p. 269).…”

“…Cai et al (2019) reported higher quality of life among participants after receiving gender‐affirming medical care compared to peers without gender‐affirming treatment, highlighting the need for access to this type of care for gender diverse older adults. While gender‐affirming treatments and surgeries should be accessible to gender diverse older adults, three studies expressed caution, citing the unknown long‐term risks of hormone therapy; the risks involved in surgical procedures for older people; and the risks of physical transitioning used as a strategy to avoid discrimination (Bell & Johnson, 2020; Knochel & Flunker, 2021; Scharaga et al, 2020).…”

“…the risks involved in surgical procedures for older people; and the risks of physical transitioning used as a strategy to avoid discrimination (Bell & Johnson, 2020;Knochel & Flunker, 2021;Scharaga et al, 2020).…”

End-of-Life Care for Transgender Older Adults

“…Addressing discrimination and improving care at EOL for transgender older adults require building a culture of inclusivity among healthcare providers; changing policies to support transgender rights; strengthening social and spiritual support; and emphasizing the assets of transgender elders ( Catlett, 2022 ). To build competency and inclusivity in EOL care for transgender older adult patients, several studies propose educational trainings for healthcare providers, especially clinicians in hospice and palliative care, a discipline that focuses on enhancing quality of life for persons with serious or terminal illnesses ( Adan et al, 2021 ; Bell & Johnson, 2020 ; Campbell & Catlett, 2019 ; Elder, 2016 ; Hughto & Reisner, 2018 ; Jones & Willis, 2016 ; Walker et al, 2017 ). In addition to educational initiatives, policy change has emerged in the literature from the USA and Canada as a strategy for mitigating discrimination, stigma, and elder abuse ( Carroll, 2017 ; de Vries et al, 2019 ; Hoy-Ellis & Fredriksen-Goldsen, 2017 ; Hughto & Reisner, 2018 ; Knochel & Flunker, 2021 ; Lowers, 2017 ).…”