A recently published study has found that many LGBT seniors generally feel safe revealing their orientation. However, they may not necessarily be out to their health care providers.
The study is part of the HRSA Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program grant between the UCI School of Nursing and the Department of Family Medicine’s Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology.
Titled “Things Are Different Now But,” the published paper was authored by assistant professor Candace Burton, PhD, and associate professor Jung-Ah Lee, PhD.
The primary goal of their study was to raise awareness and understanding of the experiences and needs of older LGBT adults when they seek health care.
Through a series of interviews with LGBT seniors 65 or older, Burton and Lee learned that stigmatization and micro-aggressions led them to feel unsafe.
Because of these fears:
- Up to 36% of healthcare providers are not aware of their patients’ sexual orientation.
- 20% of gay, lesbian and bisexual seniors and 44% of transgender seniors feel that their relationship with their provider would be negatively affected if they knew their orientation.
Burton and Lee note that to provide truly comprehensive care, nurses and other health care providers must be prepared to create trusting relationships with their patients.
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