Gay, Bisexual, And Transgender Aging : A Comprehensive And Analytical Sociological Perspective On Lgbt Aging

After viewing the film “GEN SILENT”, I was speechless by some of the experiences and challenges faced by the aging LGBT seniors. To me, it is a disgrace to see in this day and age that human beings are experiencing these challenges (emotional, social, and psychological) and stigma by their families, strangers and health care providers simply because of their sexual orientations or preferences. I feel that it is a disgrace for such an inequality to continue to be of existence in the 21st century because I believe as human beings we should all be more considerate and treat everyone with respect and dignity.

This article describes the aging gay and lesbian community. Past research of this community focused more on the gay White man, well-educated, active in the gay community and high socioeconomic backgrounds. This study examines current roles of social work regarding research with older gay men and lesbians and presents recommendations for both practice and research in the years ahead. Not only is this community of sexism, they are also victims of ageism. Future work must strive to be more representative of older lesbians, geographic diversity, and classes because these variables play an important role in shaping the gay aging experience.

LGBT is an initialism that stands for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, and transgender. It is intended to highlight a diversity of sexuality and gender identity-based cultures. Historically, LGBT people have had to deal with being brutalised and misunderstood because of the misconception that being gay is different and deserves different treatment. However, there are efforts being made daily by the community in order to educate people and ease their fears. The purpose of the following analysis is to deconstruct how people who fought back while growing up realizing they are apart of community help shaped and/or will shape them to become strong roles for LGBT people around the world.

Relocating into a senior care facilities can be a frightening experience for the aging population. Getting familiar with new surroundings, new organization structure, and new people that can cause anxiety to rise. For a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer individual, this experience can be traumatic. The fear of harassment, hostility, and neglect by healthcare providers and caretakers can keep LGBTQ people from seeking care until their health begins to critically decline. LGBTQ cultural competency training is highly recommended for healthcare professionals and social service organizations. The greatest barrier that prevents quality health care for LGBTQ people is the lack of competence among the healthcare professionals.

The researchers explained that LGBT community faces stress because of the negative experience they receive to obtain services such as day care, homecare and care giving services. Researchers found that “long-term-care residents and staff, 89 percent of respondents believed that staff would discriminate against an LGBT resident and 53 percent believed that staff would abuse or neglect a resident because the resident identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender” (Moone, Croghan, and Olson, 2016). The researchers found that key factors to work with the LBGT population specifically the elder population are to become more welcoming to the population. Also the practitioner must become knowledgeable about the LGBT culture. Moone, Croghan and Olson states, “Building knowledge is an important first step in understanding the unique needs of LGBT older adults in order to provide person-centered and culturally competent care and services. Training allows the practitioner an opportunity to explore basic experiences of and beliefs held in the LGBT community, as well as to trace historical precedents that led to LGBT older adults’ fears of mistreatment by service providers”(2016, p74). The researcher suggests that providers should acknowledge the LGBT elders in paper work and policies. Moone, Croghan and Olson states, “Include LGBT topics or clients in newsletters, Offer LGBT-related resources to clients or families, Update assessment forms to include LGBT welcoming language, Post non-discrimination policies that specifically include sexual orientation and gender identity, Provide sensitivity training on LGBT aging to staff, volunteers, and leadership, Advertise in LGBT periodicals or publications ,Include LGBT people in marketing material, Develop LGBT-specific materials from your

Assessing the needs of the LGBT elderly population is essential, they are independent and it is hard for them to seek assistance. Furthermore utilizing various assessment tools within the geriatric LGBT population can provide insightful information regarding the type of care needed. The assessment measurement tools that can be used include the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), The Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scale, and the Alcohol Use Screening and Assessment for Older Adults. In addition information will be provided regarding organizations such as SAGE (Services and Advocacy for LGBT Elders) and the Griot Circle. These organizations can assist the patient with housing, social adult day programs, social services, health and wellness programs and many other services. Overall, we should treat people, the way that we like to be treated. Treat people with respect, courtesy and be culturally

More recently, there has been increased awareness of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) health issues. There are specific health concerns that affect the LGBT population more commonly when compared to the heterosexual population. Additionally, the LGBT population experience significant inequalities in

In addition to the economic vulnerability of older adults, being a part of the LGBT community makes dealing with disparities connected to aging even more difficult because many LGBT elderly experience increased isolation due to a lifetime of stigma. Karen I. Fredriksen-Goldsen a Ph.D. professor and the director of Healthy Generations cited a study called Caring and Aging with Pride. In this study 2,560 demographically diverse LGBT older adults across the nation mention similar concerns related to Isolation, finding friend support, caregiving and health. Fredriksen-Goldsen mentions how LGBT older adults are

Health disparities in the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender community that lack fair treatment. This population deals with many adversities due to their sexual orientation and gender identity. LGBT’s community consists of a diverse population of people who come from all walks of life ((Howard, 2016). Many LBGT’s will delay or not seek health care due to stigma and lack of fair treatment. In other words, they believe that they are discriminated against.

According to the American Society on Aging, the LGBT Aging Issues Network (LAIN) works to raise awareness about the concerns of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) elders and about the unique barriers they encounter in gaining access to housing, healthcare, long-term care and other needed services. LAIN seeks to foster professional development, multidisciplinary research and wide-ranging dialogue on LGBT issues in the field of aging through publications, conferences, and cosponsored events. LAIN welcomes the participation of all concerned individuals regardless of age, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Elderly lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LBGT) individuals face many issues that others do not. Not only do they face discrimination due to their sexuality, but also due to their age and/or gender. The intersectionality of sexuality, age, and/or gender can cause many physical, mental, and emotional health issues which require social work intervention. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the struggles and needs elderly LGBT individuals face and its effect on their aging process. This can be achieved by applying theoretical frameworks such as Erickson’s Stages of Development, Intersectionality, and Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to the issue being presented.

Public fitting is a vital defensive factor in contradiction of social isolation amongst older adults. Nowadays the LBGT older adults characteristically are excluded in their childhood and young maturity by family, friends, and community for the reasons of sexual characteristic, however, many create a sense of fitting in promising LBGT communities (Hoy-Ellis, 2016). This particular communities has turned out to be progressively youth centered; as a result of this ageism, the people that once offered shelter and provision now reject LGBT of age adult because of their advance in years, further subsidizing to their societal seclusion.

The mental health of individuals in the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered) community is something that is a serious problem. For most of the history of the United States and many different parts of the world LGBT people faced much persecution and in some cases even death. This constant fear of discovery and the pressure that one feels on oneself when “in the closet” can lead to major mental distress. Research has shown that people who identify as LGBT are twice as likely to develop lifetime mood and anxiety disorders (Bostwick 468). This is extremely noticeable the past couple years in the suicides of bullied teens on the basis of sexual identity and expression. The stigma on simply being perceived as LGBT is strong enough to

The LGBT community has been silently suffering through generations. But in this generation, they are finally showing the world their voice. There have been many instances where young adults were denied their right to be who they are and now they are speaking out about the mistreatment. Even though the united states have begun to be more open about the LGBT community here is still more change it come. These changes can be explained through many sociological perspectives including: functionalist, conflict, symbolic interactionism and interactionism. Along with these perspective religion, norms and deviance all impact these individuals who are striving to be open about who they really are inside and out.

There are many minorities in the United States of America making it one of the largest melting pots in the world. Unfortunately, due to the vast variety of people, there are many minorities that lack the proper access to healthcare resources that cater to their healthcare needs both mentally and physically. The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender community, also known as the LGBT community, face many hurdles when it comes to receiving the proper healthcare. They also encompass many different races, religions, ethnicities and social classes. According to a recent national and state-level population-based surveys, “8 million adults in the US are lesbian, gay, or bisexual, comprising 3.5% of the adult population” (Gates, 2011). Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people face many challenges and barriers accessing the proper health services. Many of the challenges the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender community faces stems from