Married heterosexual couples automatically have a right to visit their loved ones in the hospital and to supervise their spouse’s funeral arrangements after their death. Additionally, they are commonly, if informally, given deference in terms of their spouse’s medical care. These rights and privileges are not automatically granted to same-sex partners. (more…)
Similar to many heterosexual elders, the lack of coverage for long-term care for most gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender elders constitutes a crisis in their care as well as personal finances. Often, seniors who enter nursing homes spend all of their assets on their care, then simply apply for Medicaid when they have next to nothing left, a phenomenon known as the “Medicaid spend-down.” (more…)
Gay elders may also have particular care and caregiving needs. Since most caregiving in the United States is provided by biological children, and since gays and lesbians are less likely to have children and appear more likely to live alone in old age than heterosexual elders, an urgent question presents itself: Who will care for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender elders? In general, the state fails to recognize same-sex relationships. Some studies indicate that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender elders may be more likely to live alone, making innovative support networks critical. Often, gay seniors are estranged from their families of origin due to homophobia and/or fear of rejection. (more…)
There are now several gay senior housing projects in various stages of development in Seattle, Boston, and Florida. While such developments are welcome, most units will only be accessible to upper-income people. The housing needs of rural, poor and middle-income gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender elders can best be addressed by making senior housing gay-friendly and either adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the Fair Housing Act of 1968 or passing a federal nondiscrimination law that covers housing as well as employment. (more…)
Heterosexism and homophobia are widespread in nursing homes and are symptomatic of a larger sexphobia often associated with those providing services to seniors. In a mid-1990s survey of nursing home social workers, more than half said their coworkers were intolerant or condemning of homosexuality among residents, while most other respondents avoided answering the question. The staff in one nursing home refused to bathe a resident because they did not want to touch “the lesbian,” and a home care assistant threatened to “out” a gay client if he reported her negligent care (Cook-Daniels 1997). (more…)