Have You Ever Thought About Getting Old?

And what will happen to you?

There is absolutely no research on transgender elders. My big worry like many older adults is getting dementia or Alzheimer, but added to that worry will I remember my transition?

Colorlines has an article about transgender elders,

Taking Care of Transgender Elders
by Aura Bogado
Monday, June 30 2014

January 2, 2014 was a cold day in New York City and Tanya Walker remembers it well. The 51-year-old had surgery that day after being diagnosed with lung cancer. “I was homebound, and the weather was so cold I couldn’t breathe outside,” she explains.

As a black trans woman, Walker was in an unenviable position. Aside from structural barriers that create disproportionate obstacles to healthcare, Walker doesn’t have much family support in New York.  But she hasn’t had to face her illness alone. 

For many of us, we will be facing our illnesses alone, Ms. Walker was lucky that an agency was on hand to help her, but agencies like Audre Lorde Project which helps Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two Spirit, Trans and Gender Non Conforming People of Color in New York City but many do not have an agency like ALP.

ALP demonstrates what it means to actively support its elders. For some in the trans community that kind of action doesn’t always match up with what some call the mainstream gay rights narrative.

The trans-community is so small we may be the only trans-person in a nursing home or senior living center or even in “LGBT” senior housing.

Those who can integrate in to society will have fewer problems that those who cannot, lesbians, gays and bisexuals have the advantage of fully integrating in to society if they are alone but that is not true for many trans-women.