Aging: it is an inevitable part of living, but it isn’t always easy. For many in the U.S., aging is accompanied by disability, onset of new diseases, and a changing social networks and social roles. Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ+) older adults face these same struggles, along with many other challenges.
There are 1.5 million LGBTQ+ older adults in the United States, a number projected to rise to 3 million by 2030. LGBTQ+ older adults have higher rates of depression, heart disease, risk for HIV, obesity, and addiction compared to the rest of the U.S. population. High rates of these conditions can contribute a greater need for care, as well as different demands on caregivers than those experienced by caregivers to heterosexual and cis-gendered older people.
In addition to physical challenges, LGBTQ+ older adults also experience more social difficulties compared to heterosexual and cis-gendered older people. The current cohort of LGBTQ+ older adults came of age in a time where homosexuality was met with greater hostility than is common today. Many hid their identity for years while experiencing feelings of guilt and shame due to prejudicial norms. LGBTQ+ people were—and are— often fired from jobs, shunned by their families, and faced discrimination when trying to access medical and social services. They are also twice as likely to remain single throughout their lifetime, twice as likely to live by themselves, and three less likely to have children who could provide support. Due to these factors, older LGBTQ+ adults are less likely to be financially stable for retirement, to have long-term care insurance, and are at great risk of isolation. Isolation and limited financial resources also means that LGBTQ+ older adults experience unmet care needs.
Further, nine percent of caregivers in the United States identify as LGBTQ+. LGBTQ+ people are more likely to become caregivers compared to the general population. When siblings start a family of their own, they are left to care for aging parents. While caregiving, LGBTQ+ caregivers also have less support from their biological family members, contributing to strain on the caregiver, because of family tensions surrounding the recipient’s sexual identity. Formal support services also fall short. Most groups, for example, do not address needs specific to LGBTQ+ people.
There is hope that future cohorts of LGBTQ+ older adults will face fewer challenges. There has been a growing amount of recognition of the unique issues that older LGBTQ+ adults face, and advocacy groups are specializing programs for LGBTQ+ caregivers. SAGE, an advocacy group for LGBTQ+ elders, educates and trains medical and social service providers to understand and recognize the distinctive needs of LGBTQ+ adults. The National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging also provides a variety of health, policy, and legal information.
