Concerns about aging and caregiving among middle-aged and older lesbian and gay adults
Concerns about aging and caregiving among middle-aged and older lesbian and gay adults
复制标题
DOI：
10.1080/13607863.2015.1072795
复制
发表时间：
2016-01-01
影响因子：
3.4
通讯作者：
Thurston, Catherine
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Czaja, Sara J.;Sabbag, Samir;Thurston, Catherine
目标：尽管老年男女同性恋者的数量在增加，但针对这一群体的健康和福祉的研究有限。许多女同性恋和男同性恋老年人经历着健康差距，并面临健康状况不佳的风险。本研究的目的是深入了解男女同性恋者对老龄化和护理需求的关注。方法：样本包括124名50岁以上的男女同性恋者。数据是通过焦点小组和调查问卷收集的。焦点小组讨论了：(1)对LGBT社区老龄化的担忧，(2)对所需支持和服务的障碍，(3)对照看的担忧，(4)对女同性恋老年人所需计划的担忧。结果：对老龄化的担忧包括：缺乏经济保障，缺乏家庭或社会支持，对缺乏提供所需护理的人的担忧，以及医疗保健或服务社区的歧视。参与者还表示担心孤独和脆弱，需要资源和支持计划，特别是针对女同性恋和男同性恋老年人以及女同性恋和男同性恋照顾者。结论：这些发现建议为老年男同性恋和女同性恋提供必要的支持和计划。他们还建议，医疗保健专业人员可能需要更多关于这个社区的特殊需求和关切的培训。
Objectives: Despite the increasing number of lesbian and gay older adults, research geared towards health and well-being of this population is limited. Many lesbian and gay seniors experience health disparities and are at risk for poor health outcomes. The aims of this study were to gather in-depth information on the concerns of lesbian and gay elders with respect to aging and care needs.Method: The sample included 124 gay men and lesbian women aged 50+ years. Data were gathered via focus groups and questionnaires. The focus groups addressed: (1) concerns about aging in the LGBT community, (2) barriers to needed support and services, (3) concerns about caregiving and (4) needed programs for lesbian and gay seniors.Results: Concerns expressed about aging included: lack of financial security, lack of family or social support, fears about the lack of someone to provide needed care, and discrimination in healthcare or service communities. Participants also indicated concerns about being alone and vulnerable and a need for resources and support programs, specifically for lesbian and gay older adults and for lesbian and gay caregivers.Conclusions: These findings suggest needed areas of support and programs for older gay men and lesbian women. They also suggest that healthcare professionals might need more training regarding the particular needs and concerns of this community.