LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER AGEING AND CARE: A LITERATURE STUDY

Authors

  • Neil Henderson University of the Western Cape
  • Kathryn Almack Sue Ryder Centre, Nottingham University, Nottingham, England

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15270/52-2-504

Abstract

There is an increasing body of research on ageing and end-of-life care (EOLC) of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) older people in the UK, USA and Australia. In contrast, in South Africa, despite progressive legislation to protect LGBT rights, there has been minimal research in this area. This article reports on a critical review of literature on ageing of the LGBT community. Key themes identified include discrimination by health care workers and health risks for LGBT older people alongside the need for training of health professionals. The article concludes with consideration of the needs of LGBT persons in South Africa

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Neil Henderson, University of the Western Cape

Department of Social Work

Kathryn Almack, Sue Ryder Centre, Nottingham University, Nottingham, England

Sue Ryder Centre, Nottingham University, Nottingham, England

References

ALMACK, K. (in press). Dying, death and bereavement. In: GOLDBERG, A. (ed), The SAGE Encyclopaedia of LGBTQ Studies. London: Sage Publications.

ALMACK, K. 2007. Palliative care and end of life care (EOLC) for the non-heterosexual community. Journal for End of Life Care for Nurses, 1(2):27-32.

ALMACK, K., MOSS, B. & SMITH, T. 2015. Research and policy about end of life care for LGBT people: identifying implications for social work services. In: FISH, J. & KARBAN, K. (eds). Social work and lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans health inequalities: international perspectives. University of Bristol, Bristol: Policy Press, 173-186.

ALMACK, K., SEYMOUR, J. & BELLAMY, G. 2010. Exploring the impact of sexual orientation on experiences and concerns about end of life care (EOLC) and on bereavement for lesbian, gay and bisexual elders. Sociology, 44(5):908-924.

BAILEY, L. 2012. Trans ageing and later life. In: WARD, R., RIVERS, I. & SUTHERLAND, M. (eds), Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender ageing: biographical approaches for inclusive care and support. London: Jessica Kingsley.

BOEHMER, U. & CASE, P. 2004. Physicians don’t ask, sometimes patients tell: disclosure of sexual orientation among women with breast carcinoma. Cancer, 101(8):1882-1889.

BOEHMER, U., LINDE, R. & FREUND, K.M. 2005. Sexual minority women’s coping and psychological adjustment after a diagnosis of breast cancer. Journal of Women’s Health, 14 (3):213-224.

CARR, S. & ROSS, P. 2013. Assessing current and future housing and support options of older LGB people. York: Rowntree Foundation.

COLLINS, D. & LEIBBRANDT, M. 2007. The financial impact of HIV/AIDS on poor households in South Africa. AIDS, 7:75-81.

CONCANNAN, L. 2009. Developing inclusive health and social care policies for older LGBT citizens. British Journal of Social Work, 39:403-417.

CRONIN, A. & KING, A. 2010. Power, inequality and identification: exploring diversity and intersectionality amongst older LGB adults. Sociology, 44(5):876-892.

DE VOS, P. 2015. Telephonic interview.

FISH, J. & KARBAN, K. (eds). 2015. Social work and lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans health inequalities: international perspectives. Bristol: Policy Press.

FREDRICKSEN-GOLDSEN, K.I. & MURACO, A. 2010. Ageing and sexual orientation: a 25 year review of the literature. [Online] Available: http://roa.sagepub.com/control/32/3/372 [Accessed: 11/08/2013].

FREDRICKSEN-GOLDSEN, K.I., EMLET, C.A., KIM, H.J., MURACO, A., EROSHEVA, E.A., GOLDSEN, J. & HOY-ELLIS, C.P. 2013. The physical and mental health of lesbian, gay male, and bisexual (LGB) older adults: The role of key health indicators and risk and protective factors. The Gerontologist, 53:664-675.

FREDRICKSEN-GOLDSEN, K.I., KIM, H-J., EMLET, C.A., MURACO, A., EROSHEVA, E.E., HOY-ELLIS, C.P., GOLDSEN, J. & PETRY, H. 2012. The aging and health report: Disparities and resilience among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender older adults. Seattle: Institute for Multigenerational Health.

GAY AND LESBIAN EQUALITY NETWORK (GLEN). 2011. Visible lives: identifying the experiences and needs of older lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Ireland. Dublin: GLEN.

GRAI (GLBTI RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION INC) & CURTIN HEALTH INNOVATION RESEARCH INSTITUTE. 2010. We don’t have any of those people here: retirement accommodation and aged care issues for non-heterosexual populations. Perth: Curtin University.

HARDING, R., EPIPHANIOU, E. & CHIDGEY-CLARK, J. 2012. Needs, experiences and preferences of sexual minorities for end-of-life care: a systematic review. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 15(5):602-611.

HASH, K.M. & NETTING, F.E. 2007. Long-Term planning and decision-making among midlife and older gay men. Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life and Palliative Care, 3(2):59-77.

HEAPHY, B. 2003. Lesbian and gay lives over 50. Nottingham: York House Publications.

HENDERSON, N. 2015. The persistence of homophobic discourses: Narratives of a group of gay men in Cape Town, South Africa. Agenda, 29(1):108-115.

HOLLOWAY, M. & TAPLIN, S. 2013. Death and Social Work: 21st Century. British Journal of Social Work, 43(2):203-215.

HUGHES, M. & CARTWRIGHT, C. 2014. LGBT people’s knowledge of and preparedness to discuss end-of-life care planning options. Health and Social Care in the Community, 22(5):545-552.

HUGHES, M. 2009. Lesbian and gay people’s concerns about ageing and accessing services. Australian Social Work, 62(2):186-201.

JACKSON, N.C., JOHNSON, M.J. & ROBERTS, R. 2008. The potential impact of discrimination fears of older gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgender individuals living in small- to moderate-sized cities on long term health care. Journal of Homosexuality, 54(3):325-339.

JONES, R.L. 2012. Imagining and unimaginable: bisexual roadmaps for ageing. In: WARD, R., RIVERS, I. & SUTHERLAND, M. (eds). Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender ageing: biographical approaches for inclusive care and support. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

McNEIL, J., BAILEY, L., ELLIS, S., MORTON, J. & REGAN, M. 2012. Trans Mental Health Study. [Online] Available: http://www.scottishtrans.org/wp-content/uploads/ 2013/03/trans_mh_study.pdf. [Accessed: 29/09/2015].

METLIFE MATURE MARKET INSTITUTE. 2006. Out and aging: the Metlife study of lesbian and gay baby boomers. New York: Sage Publications.

MONK, D. 2014. Writing (Gay and Lesbian) Wills. Onati Socio-legal Series (online), 4(2):306-322.

OPENING DOORS. 2010. Supporting older lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people: a checklist for social care providers. London: Age UK.

REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA. 1996. Constitution Act of 1996. Pretoria: Government Printer.

REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA. 2006a. Civil Unions Act 17 of 2006. Pretoria: Government Printer.

REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA. 2006b. Older Persons Act 13 of 2006. Pretoria: Government Printer.

REYGAN, F.C.G. & D’ALTON, P. 2013. A pilot training programme for health and social care professionals providing oncological and palliative care to lesbian, gay and bisexual patients in Ireland. Psycho-Oncology, 22:1050-1054.

RUTH, K. & VERNE, A. 2010. Deaths in older adults in England. Bristol: National EOLC Intelligence Network.

SCOTTISH TRANSGENDER ALLIANCE. 2008. Transgender Experiences in Scotland – Research Summary. Edinburgh: Equality Network.

STONEWALL REPORT. 2011. LGB people living in later life. [Online] Available: http://www.stonewall.org.uk/sites/default/files/LGB_people_in_Later_Life__2011_.pdf. [Accessed: 29/09/2015].

TRAIES, J. 2012. ‘Women like that’: older lesbians in the UK. In: WARD, R., RIVERS, I. & SUTHERLAND, M. (eds). Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender ageing: biographical approaches for inclusive care and support. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

WALKER, A. & WILKINS, Z. 2013. Improving the housing and care experiences of LGBT people in later life. London: Housing 21.

WARD, R., PUGH, S. & PRICE, E. 2010. Don’t look back? Improving health and social care service delivery for older LGB users. London: EHRC.

WARD, R., RIVERS, I. & SUTHERLAND, M. 2012. (eds). Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender ageing: biographical approaches for inclusive care and support. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

WESTWOOD, S. 2015. Constructing Kinship in Succession Law (England and Wales): an analysis of older lesbians’ and gay men’s Will-writing. Feminist Legal Studies, 23:181-197.

WESTWOOD, S., KING, A., ALMACK, K., YUI-SUEN, T. & BAILEY, L. 2015. Good practice in health and social care provision for older LGBT people. In: FISH, J. & KARBAN, K. (eds). Social work and lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans health inequalities: international perspectives. University of Bristol: Policy Press.

WHITTLE, S., TURNER, L. & AL-ALAMI, M. 2007. Engendered penalties: Transgender and transsexual people’s experience of inequality and discrimination. London: Equalities Review.

Downloads

Published

2016-07-11

How to Cite

Henderson, N., & Almack, K. (2016). LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER AGEING AND CARE: A LITERATURE STUDY. Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk, 52(2). https://doi.org/10.15270/52-2-504

Issue

Section

Articles