Long-term care and LGBT older adults
Although older adults rarely relish the thought of requiring long-term care, LGBT older adults have additional unique concerns. Many older adults who have “come out of the closet” grapple with whether to make their LGBT status known to nursing home staff for fear of facing discrimination during a period of increased vulnerability. They also fear being ostracized and maltreated by other nursing home residents, especially roommates. LGBT older individuals may constantly self-censor to appear “straight”. Although non- LGBT nursing home residents are free to reminisce about their lives and families. LGBT older adults worry about offending others by talking about their lives as gay individuals.