Indifference to the difference? Older lesbian and gay men’s perceptions of aging services

Abstract

This qualitative study examined: 1) What older lesbians and gay men know about OAA-funded services; 2) attitudes towards the services; 3) experiences utilizing the services; 4) how current needs are met; and 5) plans for care as they age. Focus groups were conducted from June-August 2016. Purposive and snowball sampling yielded a sample size of 31. Five focus groups were conducted, and analysis used Grounded Theory. Four themes emerged: 1) low expectations of a welcoming environment, 2) the importance of being out, 3) need for LGBT-specific services, and 4) how to create inclusive services.

A rapid review of end-of-life needs in the LGBTQ+ community and recommendations for clinicians

“…Most included articles reported findings from quali-tative research studies. 13 , 15 , 19 – 21 , 40 – 57 , 59 – 61 Roughly half of the studies were conducted in the United Sta-tes 21 , 41 , 43 , 45 , 47 – 49 , 54 , 56 , 57 , 59 , 62 – 64 , 10 in Canada. 15 , 40 , 46 , 51 – 53 , 55 , 60 , 65 , 66 No articles in Portuguese or French were included.…”

“…45 , 46 Geographical and/or local culture of social acceptance was identified as another systems-level barrier impacting LGBTQ+ members’ experience at end-of-life. 21 , 45 , 47 – 51 For example, a culture of social acceptance increased the chances of LGBTQ+ being treated fairly, despite the availability of relationship recognition laws, 45 , 49 but a culture of “don’t ask, don’t tell” led to unmet healthcare needs. 50 Inadequate resources available for LGBTQ+ people 48 – 53 makes resource availability another systems-level barrier.…”

“…For example, bereavement support is sometimes not provided for non-biological families, 48 and challenges in finding appropriate care force some LGBTQ+ individuals to travel far distances to find a culturally competent provider. 49 , 53 One article found that between distinct groups of the LGBTQ+ community (e.g., gay versus transgender), resources were inequitable. 52 Diminished socioeconomic status positions some LGBTQ+ members to face urgent and pressing issues in their lives (such as financial instability) and may inhibit one’s ability to focus on future and/or end-of-life care planning.…”

“…Nineteen articles reported on the healthcare practitioner experience and/or were expressed in the “voice” of an LGBTQ+ person recounting someone else’s experience with the end-of-life care system. 19 , 21 , 41 – 43 , 45 – 47 , 49 , 51 , 53 – 58 , 62 , 65 , 66 The stories retold from peers indicated a high distrust of healthcare practitioners. While they provide insight into the perceptions of end-of-life care in LGBTQ+ adults they do not capture a complete landscape.…”

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

“…In addition, nondisclosure can result in the invisibility of the patient’s partner or their other sources of support (Fogel, 2016). Furthermore, qualitative research in the United States (Dunkle, 2018) and Australia (Waling et al, 2019) demonstrates the importance that many older lesbian women and gay men place on being “out” to service providers. This growing body of research indicates the importance of lesbian and gay people being comfortable to disclose their sexual orientation when accessing these services.…”