Putney Jennifer M, Keary Sara, Hebert Nicholas, Krinsky Lisa, Halmo Rebekah
a Simmons College School of Social Work , Boston , Massachusetts , USA.
b The Fenway Institute , Boston , Massachusetts , USA.
J Gerontol Soc Work. 2018 Nov-Dec;61(8):887-907. doi: 10.1080/01634372.2018.1508109. Epub 2018 Aug 13.
Older lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) adults are a vulnerable yet resilient population who face unique stressors as they foresee health decline. This paper presents the results of a study about community-dwelling LGBT older adults' anticipated needs and fears related to nursing homes and assisted living.
This qualitative study collected data through seven focus groups. The sample (N = 50) consisted of LGBT-identified adults age 55 and over. We used an inductive, thematic analysis approach to data analysis.
Participants seek an inclusive environment where they will be safe and feel connected to a community. They fear dependence on healthcare providers, dementia, mistreatment, and isolation. Importantly, these fears can lead to identity concealment and psychological distress, including suicide ideation.
This study adds to the existing literature about the worries of older LGBT adults as they anticipate long-term care. The results suggest that older LGBT adults seek LGBT-inclusive residential care settings that encompass two distinct yet related aspects of LGBT-affirmative care: the procedural (e.g. culturally competent skills and knowledge of practitioners) and the implicit (e.g. the values and mission of the organization). This paper identifies implications for practice, policy, and training.
老年女同性恋、男同性恋、双性恋和跨性别者（LGBT）是一个脆弱但有韧性的群体，在预见健康状况下降时面临独特的压力源。本文介绍了一项关于居住在社区的LGBT老年人对疗养院和辅助生活的预期需求及担忧的研究结果。
这项定性研究通过七个焦点小组收集数据。样本（N = 50）由55岁及以上自我认同为LGBT的成年人组成。我们采用归纳式主题分析方法进行数据分析。
参与者寻求一个包容的环境，在那里他们会感到安全并与社区建立联系。他们担心依赖医疗服务提供者、患痴呆症、受到虐待和被孤立。重要的是，这些担忧可能导致身份隐瞒和心理困扰，包括自杀念头。
本研究补充了现有关于老年LGBT成年人对长期护理的担忧的文献。结果表明，老年LGBT成年人寻求具有LGBT包容性的居住护理环境，这种环境包含LGBT肯定性护理的两个不同但相关的方面：程序方面（例如从业者具有文化胜任力的技能和知识）和内在方面（例如组织的价值观和使命）。本文确定了对实践、政策和培训的启示。
