265269 Healthcare and service needs of LGBT older adults

Monday, October 29, 2012

Jennifer L. Lauby, PhD , Research & Evaluation, Public Health Management Corporation, Philadelphia, PA
Heather Batson , Research & Evaluation, Public Health Management Corporation, Philadelphia, PA
Lee Carson, MSW, CASAC , Research & Evaluation, Public Health Management Corporation, Philadelphia, PA
Janene Brown , Research & Evaluation, Public Health Management Corporation, Philadelphia, PA
Victor Sapelbweyar , Research & Evaluation, Public Health Management Corporation, Philadelphia, PA
Cameron Browne , Research & Evaluation, Public Health Management Corporation, Philadelphia, PA
Background: Sexual minority older adults face barriers to health care and access to services in addition to those faced by older adults who are not sexual minorities.

Methods: We collected qualitative and quantitative data from LGBT adults 55 years and over in Philadelphia. Three focus groups were conducted with 30 participants and 16 in-depth interviews were completed. An on-going structured survey was completed online or in person by 145 participants: 6% of the sample are transgender persons, 27% are lesbian women and 67% are gay men. 24% of participants identify as black and 73% as white. 55% are ages 60 to 69 and 25% are 70 and older.

Results: The number one concern regardless of identity was a fear of isolation, with no one to care for them. 53% of participants currently live alone and 29% live with a partner. 79% of gay men and 42% of lesbians have no children. Although isolation is not unique to this population, low use of senior centers and other resources suggests there are barriers to accessing these supports. Housing was another major concern; including finding a nursing home that was LGBT friendly. Lesbian women reported less fear of discrimination than other participants in our survey. However, even these participants said health care providers need training to be sensitive to LGBT issues and to provide appropriate care for older adults who are sexually active.

Conclusions: Services for older adults should include strategies to address the barriers and needs faced by LGBT older adults.

Learning Areas:
Provision of health care to the public
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Identify the most pressing healthcare and service needs of LGBT adults 55 and older. Compare access to services by race, age group, identity and socio-economic status.

Keywords: Aging, Gay

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the PI on several federal grants focused on HIV risk of MSM. I am the project director for this study of LGBT older adults and supervised all data collection and analysis.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3290.0: LGBT Caucus of Public Health Professionals Poster Session