I am on an ad hoc committee on LGBT aging; our mission is to develop guidelines for senior centers and nursing homes. Members of the committee are from senior centers, nursing homes, non-profits (I am representing the Connecticut TransAdvoacy Coalition) and a state agency. Right now I am researching “Best Practices” and I am finding almost no information on best practices for trans-elders. There is some information for L&G but as usual we are just an afterthought.
One website that I found was America Nursing Today,
Some of the other website that had good information on trans-elders are,
I have my concerns with growing old but I was wondering what your concerns are about being transgender in your old age.
One website that I found was America Nursing Today,
Health disparities among LGBT elders
The IOM report detailed the following health needs and issues of LGBT elders:
- Transgender elders may experience negative health outcomes from long-term hormone use.
- HIV/AIDS affects older as well as younger LGBT individuals. However, few HIV prevention programs target older adults—a cohort that has been deeply affected by losses inflicted by AIDS.
- LGBT elders exhibit crisis competence (a sense of resilience and perceived hardiness).
- They experience stigma, discrimination, and violence across the life span.
- They are less likely to have children than heterosexual elders and thus less likely to receive care from adult children.
I think they make some important points facts, that many of us are not married or have been disowned by their families. I know many trans-people and some gays and lesbians whose family have rejected them and in their place they have developed a surrogate family.
Lack of culturally competent healthcare providers contributes to ongoing health disparities, making LGBT elders an underserved minority in an aging society. This population has the highest rate of tobacco and alcohol use. With the risks of coronary heart disease, stroke, and diabetes increasing with age, added damage from nicotine and substance abuse puts LGBT elders at greater risk for morbidity and mortality. Also, although advances in AIDS treatment are helping people live longer and more productive lives, the combined effects of drug side effects and lingering infections place them at higher risk for stroke and other cardiovascular events.
Less support or care from adult children may lead to social isolation. In this era of patient-drive care that values diversity, healthcare providers need to understand the concept of “family of choice” among the LGBT population. Given the lack of Social Security benefits to unmarried partners, one partner’s disability or death may threaten the economic security of the surviving partner, causing added hardship and stress that may have negative health effects.
Some of the other website that had good information on trans-elders are,
I have my concerns with growing old but I was wondering what your concerns are about being transgender in your old age.
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