Page 84 - Petelin, Ana. 2021. Ed. Zdravje starostnikov / Health of the Elderly. Proceedings. Koper: University of Primorska Press.
P. 84
avje starostnikov | health of the elderly 82 The World Café method has proved to be an effective approach to linking
the diverse views of participants and the participatory development of
learning content, as evidenced in the evaluation findings. Discussion and
conclusions: LGBT+ older adults represent one aspect of an increasingly
diverse group of people whose need for health and social care services is
growing in an aging society. In the future, staff training in these areas
will need to address the needs of LGBT+ older adults, as providers of
these services have a key role in delivering friendly and inclusive care to
LGBT+ older adults.
Keywords: LGBT+ older adults, inclusive care, education, World Café
Introduction
The number of people aged 60 years or older is increasing exponentially (Unit-
ed Nations World Population Aging, 2019) and with it the needs for health and
social services in both informal and formal support systems (United Nations
Population Fund and HelpAge, 2012). At the same time, lesbian, gay, bisexu-
al, transgender and other non-normative sexual orientations, gender identi-
ties and gender expressions (LGBT+) are becoming more visible but face vari-
ous risks of discrimination and social exclusion at the intersection of old age.
There are numerous reports that LGBT+ older adults face specific social
problems similar to their younger peers, including isolation, economic chal-
lenges, employment and housing discrimination (Boggs et al., 2017; Fredrik-
sen-Goldsen et al., 2017; Emlet, 2016; Equal Rights Center, 2014), and multi-
ple health problems, such as higher risk of mental health issues, disability, and
substance abuse (Yarns et al. 2016; Fredriksen-Goldsen et al. 2013). Compared
to the general population, they report poorer health and have worse experienc-
es of care (Westwood et al., 2020). In addition, LGBT+ older adults are more
likely to be estranged from their families, have no children, and live alone com-
pared to their heterosexual and same-sex peers. Consequently, they have to rely
on other support systems such as friends and other caregivers (Zelle and Arms,
2015; Knauer, 2016).
Studies have shown that LGBT+ older adults are often afraid to disclose
their sexual orientation or gender identity to health and social care providers
due to their personal histories of discrimination and social exclusion, and are
reluctant to access existing services (Sharek et al., 2015; Almack, 2019; Burton
et al., 2019). Westwood (2019) notes that in the case of organizational abuse,
LGBT+ older adults may be potentially mistreated by both service providers
and other residents. In addition, the fear of and actual occurrence of discrimi-
nation based on sexuality and gender identity, which often co-occurs with age-
ism, has been linked to a higher likelihood of depression and anxiety in LGBT+
older adults (Tinney et al., 2015).
In order to understand the specific needs that arise from the diverse life
experiences and histories of LGBT+ older adults, both practicing and future
the diverse views of participants and the participatory development of
learning content, as evidenced in the evaluation findings. Discussion and
conclusions: LGBT+ older adults represent one aspect of an increasingly
diverse group of people whose need for health and social care services is
growing in an aging society. In the future, staff training in these areas
will need to address the needs of LGBT+ older adults, as providers of
these services have a key role in delivering friendly and inclusive care to
LGBT+ older adults.
Keywords: LGBT+ older adults, inclusive care, education, World Café
Introduction
The number of people aged 60 years or older is increasing exponentially (Unit-
ed Nations World Population Aging, 2019) and with it the needs for health and
social services in both informal and formal support systems (United Nations
Population Fund and HelpAge, 2012). At the same time, lesbian, gay, bisexu-
al, transgender and other non-normative sexual orientations, gender identi-
ties and gender expressions (LGBT+) are becoming more visible but face vari-
ous risks of discrimination and social exclusion at the intersection of old age.
There are numerous reports that LGBT+ older adults face specific social
problems similar to their younger peers, including isolation, economic chal-
lenges, employment and housing discrimination (Boggs et al., 2017; Fredrik-
sen-Goldsen et al., 2017; Emlet, 2016; Equal Rights Center, 2014), and multi-
ple health problems, such as higher risk of mental health issues, disability, and
substance abuse (Yarns et al. 2016; Fredriksen-Goldsen et al. 2013). Compared
to the general population, they report poorer health and have worse experienc-
es of care (Westwood et al., 2020). In addition, LGBT+ older adults are more
likely to be estranged from their families, have no children, and live alone com-
pared to their heterosexual and same-sex peers. Consequently, they have to rely
on other support systems such as friends and other caregivers (Zelle and Arms,
2015; Knauer, 2016).
Studies have shown that LGBT+ older adults are often afraid to disclose
their sexual orientation or gender identity to health and social care providers
due to their personal histories of discrimination and social exclusion, and are
reluctant to access existing services (Sharek et al., 2015; Almack, 2019; Burton
et al., 2019). Westwood (2019) notes that in the case of organizational abuse,
LGBT+ older adults may be potentially mistreated by both service providers
and other residents. In addition, the fear of and actual occurrence of discrimi-
nation based on sexuality and gender identity, which often co-occurs with age-
ism, has been linked to a higher likelihood of depression and anxiety in LGBT+
older adults (Tinney et al., 2015).
In order to understand the specific needs that arise from the diverse life
experiences and histories of LGBT+ older adults, both practicing and future
