Don't look back? Improving health and social care service delivery for older LGB users

Ward, R; Pugh, S; Price, Liz

Abstract

There are wide gaps in knowledge about the lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) UK population in relation to their physical and mental health outcomes, use of health and social services and experiences of health and social care more generally.  Very little data exists that compares LGB and heterosexual populations.  The evidence is even more limited for older LGB people.  The existing evidence suggests that LGB people face many of the same issues as other members of society when ageing, including health and care concerns, however, their experiences and needs are mediated through a range of forms of disadvantage and discrimination related to their sexual orientation, and other aspects of their identities.  Understanding how this affects the lives of older LGB people, and what it may mean to be older and LGB when accessing health and social care is at the heart of this paper.  The paper demonstrates how older LGB people have been overlooked in health and social care legislation, policy, research, guidance and practice which assume service users are heterosexual.

Citation

Ward, R., Pugh, S., & Price, L. (2010). Don't look back? Improving health and social care service delivery for older LGB users

• Report Type: Research Report
• Acceptance Date: Dec 1, 2010
• Publication Date: Dec 1, 2010
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/424036