Older LGBT Adults Often Fear Discrimination When Seeking Aging Services

​In a survey of over 1,700 respondents, researchers found that LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) adults age 45 and older are most likely to be concerned about having adequate support systems as they age (76%); about whether they might be abused, neglected, or harassed in a long-term care facility (over 60%); and about having access to LGBT-specific aging services (73%). These findings appear in a report published by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) in March 2018. More than 88% of respondents said they would prefer to see providers specifically trained in LGBT patient and resident needs, and 85% said they would prefer organizations employ LGBT staff members. Because 52% of respondents expressed concerns about facing discrimination or prejudice that would affect their quality of care, researchers presented respondents with four different action items that could improve patient comfort: being treated by providers who were trained for LGBT-specific needs; seeing organizations advertise and promote LGBT-friendly services; knowing whether the facility has LGBT-identifying staff members; and seeing LGBT-friendly signs or symbols displayed on-site, online, or in communications.