Members of the LGBT community have historically experienced barriers in accessing health care in acute, community, and home care environments. More recently, LGBT specific health care issues are being considered, studied, and documented, resulting in best practice care models being developed. Through this work, it is evident (and we know) that the health status of many in the LGBT community is compromised due to many factors including societal prejudice, lack of education for health care professionals on LGBT issues, and the reluctance of many LGBT to seek out care and openly communicate issues of sexual orientation or gender identity. These vulnerabilities are often increasingly evident for older LGBT but are an issue for many of us at any age.
For more information you may want to consider the following resources.
September 2009 - IN THE LIFE explores what it means to grow old as a gay person in America - how a generation once at the frontlines of establishing the modern LGBT movement finds, in what should be their golden years, new challenges living life openly gay. IT'S ABOUT TIME highlights the leaders spearheading a national effort to protect the rights of LGBT senior citizens and care for our elders. Watch it here...
Film from Project Visibility, Boulder CO. Aging & Disability Services. This short film shares the experiences and challenges of older LGBT when accessing care and supported living. The issues presented in this film are equally relevant for LBGT in Canada. (Run time 22:22)
