Health Related Quality of Life and Wellness of Aging LGBT Populations in Wilmington and the Cape Fear Coast

Noell Rowan

doi:10.31031/ggs.2018.02.000543

Abstract

Gerontology & Geriatrics Studies Health Related Quality of Life and Wellness of Aging LGBT Populations in Wilmington and the Cape Fear Coast Noell L Rowan* Professor and Associate Director, University of North Carolina Wilmington, USA *Corresponding author: Noell L Rowan, Professor and Associate Director, Coordinator, BSW Program Coordinator, Substance Use Disorders and Addictions Certificate Program, School of Social Work, College of Health and Human Services, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Office: 3025 McNeill Hall, 601 South College Road, Wilmington, NC 28403, USA Submission: January 20, 2018; Published: March 19, 2018 DOI: 10.31031/GGS.2018.02.000543 ISSN : 2578-0093Volume2 Issue4

Highlights

Estimates consistently state that by 2030, 20% of the U.S population will be age 65 and older, a total of 70 million elders [1,2]
This research study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the authors’ institution and was supported by a community engagement grant sponsored by the authors’ institution
The findings reveal that conducting wellness interventions for these populations can demonstrate a decrease of indicators of health related concerns and an improvement in health related quality of life

Summary

Introduction

Estimates consistently state that by 2030, 20% of the U.S population will be age 65 and older, a total of 70 million elders [1,2]. Within this group, older LGBT persons are predicted to number 1.75 to 3.5 million, “with approximately 500,000 gay men and lesbians turning age 50 each year” [1,3]. Gay, bisexual, and transgender adults face risks of significant health disparities They are less likely to disclose their sexual orientation or gender identity and to seek medical care because of fear of discrimination and cost of services [6,7,8], increasing risk of medical conditions worsening and becoming more difficult and costly to treat once services are sought. “One of the main features of social exclusion of LGBT people is their invisibility and marginalization, or in more political terms, the lack of recognition of LGBT people as full members of a community and as citizens” [9]

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Discussion

Conclusion