Seven million adults in the U.S. will identify as LGBTQ by 2030. Alienated from family because of their sexual orientation or identity and often childless, older LGBTQ adults must rely on aging partners or spouses for care.
A 2022 study found that 60% of older LGBTQ adults fear discrimination or abuse because the current healthcare system fails to train providers to treat these patients in a culturally sensitive manner. Other studies have found that healthcare providers are more likely to neglect or mistreat older LGTBQ adults as their health declines.
As a result, older LGBTQ adults often delay or decline to pay for home care, which can lead to serious health issues and early institutionalization.
When older LGBTQ adults do retain home care, hospice or other long-term care services, they often try to hide their LGBTQ status. […]
Click here to read the full piece. This story was originally published by Morningstar on December 9, 2023.
