“Maintaining Dignity: Understanding and Responding to the Challenges Facing Older LGBT Americans,” a new AARP survey, has statistics that are called “alarming” in a press release from SAGE, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of older LGBT people.
Among the findings are that:
—More than half (52 percent) of LGBT adults said they fear discrimination in healthcare as they age.
—Eighty-eight percent of LGBT older people want providers in long-term care (LTC) facilities who are specifically trained to meet LGBT patient needs.
—One-third of LGBT elder Americans were somewhat worried about having to hide their LGBT identity in order to have access to suitable housing. Black and Latino LGBT adults report the greatest concerns about future family support, social support and discrimination within LTC facilities.
The findings in AARP’s survey echo SAGE’s earlier research on the experiences of the older LGBT community, such as “Out and Visible: The Experiences and Attitudes of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Older Adults, Ages, 45-75.”
The report is at www.aarp.org/research/topics/life/info-2018/maintaining-dignity-lgbt.html?CMP=RDRCT-PRI-OTHER-LIFE-030618.