ABSTRACT
This paper outlines the development of culturally safe services for older lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people. It draws on a framework for cultural safety, developed in New Zealand which incorporates an understanding of how history, culture and power imbalances influence the relationship between service providers and Maori people. This has been adapted to the needs of older lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex Australians.
Subject(s)
Aging/psychology , Clothing , Culturally Competent Care , Disorders of Sex Development/psychology , Gender Identity , Health Services for Transgender Persons , Health Services for the Aged , Homosexuality, Female/psychology , Homosexuality, Male/psychology , Transgender Persons/psychology , Transsexualism/psychology , Age Factors , Aging/ethnology , Attitude of Health Personnel , Culturally Competent Care/history , Culturally Competent Care/organization & administration , Disorders of Sex Development/ethnology , Disorders of Sex Development/history , Female , Health Care Reform , Health Services Accessibility/organization & administration , Health Services for Transgender Persons/history , Health Services for Transgender Persons/organization & administration , Health Services for the Aged/history , Health Services for the Aged/organization & administration , Healthcare Disparities , History, 20th Century , History, 21st Century , Homophobia/psychology , Homosexuality, Female/ethnology , Homosexuality, Female/history , Homosexuality, Male/ethnology , Homosexuality, Male/history , Humans , Male , Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander/psychology , New Zealand , Professional-Patient Relations , Transgender Persons/history , Transsexualism/ethnology , Transsexualism/historyABSTRACT
AIM: To outline the experiences and needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) Australians living with dementia - and their partners. METHODS: In-depth interviews were conducted with LGBT people, their partners and service providers. RESULTS: LGBT people living with dementia experience unique challenges including the failure of some families of origin and service providers to understand and value their sexual orientation or gender identity. The fear of discrimination by service providers results in greater reliance on intimate partners for care and compounds social isolation. CONCLUSIONS: The unique experiences of LGBT people with dementia are not well understood. There is a need to recognise historical experiences, including familial relationships, and provide advocacy to ensure sexual and gender rights are not violated. There is also a need to ensure that the experiences and perspectives of LGBT people living with dementia inform the development of services.
Subject(s)
Aging/psychology , Bisexuality/psychology , Dementia/psychology , Health Services Needs and Demand/organization & administration , Health Services for Transgender Persons/organization & administration , Health Services for the Aged/organization & administration , Homosexuality, Female/psychology , Homosexuality, Male/psychology , Spouses/psychology , Transgender Persons/psychology , Transsexualism/psychology , Adaptation, Psychological , Age Factors , Aging/ethnology , Attitude of Health Personnel , Australia , Bisexuality/ethnology , Cost of Illness , Dementia/diagnosis , Dementia/ethnology , Female , Healthcare Disparities , Homophobia/psychology , Homosexuality, Female/ethnology , Homosexuality, Male/ethnology , Humans , Interviews as Topic , Male , Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander/psychology , Needs Assessment/organization & administration , Self Disclosure , Social Isolation , Spouses/ethnology , Transsexualism/ethnologyABSTRACT
LGBT is an acronym used to describe people from diverse sexual orientation or gender identity, people that are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. LGBT people do not constitute a single group nor does each individual "group" constitute a homogeneous unity. However, as higher rates of depression and/or anxiety have been observed in older LGBT people, compared to their heterosexual counterparts (Guasp, 2011) there is a need to raise the profile of mental health issues amongst these groups. The additional letter I is also often included in the acronym LGBTI as intersex people are often included as another gender diverse group. However, there is very little research that includes intersex people and none on older intersex people's mental health so this editorial is restricted to consideration of older LGBT people.
Subject(s)
Disorders of Sex Development/psychology , Homosexuality/psychology , Mental Health , Social Discrimination , Transgender Persons/psychology , Aged , Anxiety , Depression , Female , Gender Identity , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
This paper presents data from a small study exploring the impacts of homophobia on the lives of older lesbian and gay Australians. Eleven in-depth interviews were conducted with older lesbians (6) and gay men (5) ranging in age from 65 to 79 years. The study found that participants' sense of self was shaped by the dominant medical, legal and religious institutions of their youth that defined them as sick, immoral or criminal. Participants described enforced "cure" therapies, being imprisoned, having employment terminated and being disowned and disinherited by family. In this context, intimate relationships and social networks provided refuge where trust was rebuilt and sexuality affirmed. Many created safe spaces for themselves. This equilibrium was threatened with increasing age, disability and the reliance on health and social services. Participants feared a return to institutional control and a need to "straighten up" or hide their sexuality. In response, partners stepped into the role of caregiver, at times beyond their capacity and at a cost to their relationship. The study describes the importance of understanding social connections in the lives of older lesbians and gay men. It highlights the need for inclusive services to ensure that social networks are supported and that health and well-being are promoted.
