SeniorsContents:LGBT Ageing & Seniors Events in 2009 The Young, The Ageing and The Restless (survey) Potential Approaches to work with Senior LGBT Queenslanders LGBT Ageing Action GroupThe needs of LGBT seniors are becoming more prominent here in Australia and overseas. This is due in part to the “baby-boomer” generation reaching older age and expecting to receive culturally appropriate services. In addition to the issues confronting all older people, LGBT seniors face particular issues related to their sexuality or gender identity, including:
The Queensland Association for Healthy Communities (QAHC), along with other organisations including the Gay & Lesbian Welfare Association and the Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre have formed an LGBT Ageing Action Group. The purpose of this group is to:
If you would like to join the LGBT Ageing Action Group, please contact Paul Martin at pmartin@qahc.org.au or (07) 3017 1791. Meeting dates (3rd Wednesday of every second month):
Minutes of Action Group Meetings:
LGBT Ageing & Seniors Events in 2009The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Ageing Action Group at QAHC is organising a range of information seminars and social events for LGBT seniors, friends and those with an interest in ageing. March May June July August September November December For more information on the Ageing Action Group and for updates on events, visit www.qahc.org.au/seniors QAHC Brisbane The Young, The Ageing and The Restless:understanding the experiences and future expectations of ageing and caring in the QLD GLBT community New research shows a high level of concern among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Queenslanders about getting older and the care they will receive in older age. The Queensland Association for Healthy Communities (QAHC) has released findings of an online study into the experiences and expectations of ageing and caring, of over 400 LGBT Queenslanders. ‘The Young, The Ageing and The Restless’ report reveals that:
Younger people and those not currently receiving or providing care had higher and more positive expectations about ageing than older groups. Older people were more concerned about the quality and lack of services for LGBT seniors and the general decline in their health and more likely to report having no-one to rely on emotionally or live with in older age. Gay men were more likely than lesbians to currently experience or expect to live alone in older age, be concerned about the lack of respect for older people in the LGBT community and to have no-one to rely on emotionally or for physical or practical support. “This is one of the few quantitative studies in Australia into the experiences and expectations of LGBT people about ageing” said Paul Martin, General Manager. “The study highlights significant concerns among LGBT people about getting older, who will care for us and the quality of care we will receive from aged care services.” “Unfortunately aged care policy and programs in Queensland and Australia do not recognise the needs of LGBT seniors and there are no specific services for this population in Queensland.” View the report here. Potential Approaches to work with Senior LGBT QueenslandersQAHC has produced a brief document summarising the needs of senior LGBT people and suggesting actions to respond to these, in the areas of:
View the document here. Services for Older PeopleThe QAHC LGBT Ageing Action Group has produced an advert promoting services for older people and their carers. This will be run in LGBT press as funding allows. Please feel free to circulate or display the advert. LinksLesbian and Gay Ageing Issues in Australia LGBT Ageing Project – American Ageing Group Lesbian and Gay Ageing Issues Network – part of the LGBT Ageing project and the American Society on Ageing (newsletters) |