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

Neil Henderson,Kathryn Almack

doi: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

Highlights

There is a burgeoning body of research on ageing and end-of-life care in the LGBT community since the recognition that these communities are ageing (Almack, 2007; Almack, Moss & Smith, 2015; Almack, Seymour & Bellamy, 2010; Concannon, 2009; Ward, Pugh & Price, 2010; Ward, Rivers & Sutherland, 2012; Westwood, King, Almack, Yui-Suen & Bailey, 2015)
There is nothing in the Act dealing with diverse older persons, which highlights the particular challenges that older LGBT people in South Africa may face in terms of ageing and receiving care
The book edited by Ward, Rivers and Sutherland (2012) has valuable chapters highlighting a nuanced description of the lives of lesbian, bisexual and transgender older persons, with valid recommendations on care strategies in old age and it begins to address some of the gaps in the existing literature with chapters on older lesbians, bisexual people and transgender people. These include exploring the experiences of older lesbians (Traies, 2012), imagining bisexual futures as older people (Jones, 2012), and exploring the health and social care needs of transgender people in later life (Bailey, 2012) in the UK

Summary

Introduction

There is a burgeoning body of research on ageing and end-of-life care in the LGBT community since the recognition that these communities are ageing (Almack, 2007; Almack, Moss & Smith, 2015; Almack, Seymour & Bellamy, 2010; Concannon, 2009; Ward, Pugh & Price, 2010; Ward, Rivers & Sutherland, 2012; Westwood, King, Almack, Yui-Suen & Bailey, 2015). There is nothing in the Act dealing with diverse older persons, which highlights the particular challenges that older LGBT people in South Africa may face in terms of ageing and receiving care.

Results

Conclusion