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All of these considerations can be compounded by intersections of sex, race, ethnicity and disability. Social isolation is also a concern because LGBT older adults are more likely to live alone, more likely to be single and less likely to have children than their heterosexual counterparts. Generational differences and lack of legal protection may cause older LGBT adults to be less open about their sexuality. They may face dual discrimination due to their age and their sexual orientation or gender identity. LGBT older adults may disproportionately be affected by poverty and physical and mental health conditions due to a lifetime of unique stressors associated with being a minority, and may be more vulnerable to neglect and mistreatment in aging care facilities. Unique DisparitiesĪs a group, LGBT older adults experience unique economic and health disparities. This page represents an ongoing effort by the APA's Office on Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity to help address the needs LGBT older adults and those who provide services and care by highlighting APA resources as well as other helpful resources and organizations. Caregivers for LGBT people may themselves face unique challenges including accessing information and isolation.
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Psychological service providers and care givers for older adults need to be sensitive to the histories and concerns of LGBT people and to be open-minded, affirming and supportive towards LGBT older adults to ensure accessible, competent, quality care. As the baby boomer generation ages, the older adult population will increase from 12.8 percent to an estimated 19 percent in 2030. are age 65 years or older including 2.4 million people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). The CIRCLE shows respect for both elders and olders.More than 39 million people in the U.S. He often retires, disappears or is discarded. An older ( senior citizen, old person, golden oldy and so forth) is often a person who celebrates a birthday each year and waits for death with little sense of a larger role for himself in the community. The CIRCLE makes a distinction between “elder” and “older.” An elder is someone who consciously claims that role through visibility in the community, is aware of being a part of the continuity of life, honors those who went before him, is of assistance to those who are coming after him, and actively tends to the spiritual needs of a community in the broadest sense of the word. At our first planning meeting, Ray Hogenson, a founding member, put it succinctly: “We are planting a tree we will never sit under.” The GAY ELDER CIRCLE is designed to assist gay men and others to make the transition from adult to elder, in the process consciously assuming a new role in the community-a life of continuing usefulness to to others within the context of group support, encouragement, and genuine brotherhood. It has been recognized throughout history and across cultures that life usually consists of four stages-youth, adult, elder and ancestor. the CIRCLE understands the West African saying: “If elders are lost, adults will be lost and if adults are lost, youth will be lost.” In the process of growing from one stage to the next, both the community and individuals are transformed. We come from a wide range of backgrounds and are united in our primary purpose of being useful to younger gay men and of service to the gay and larger community.Ī healthy and thriving community honors ancestors, needs elders, depends on adults and invites youth. WE ARE A GROUP OF GAY MEN, more or less fifty-five or older, who have assembled to support each other in becoming gay elders.