Coming Out to Care: Caregivers of Gay and Lesbian Seniors in Canada

Purpose: This article reports on the findings of a study whose purpose was to explore the experiences of caregivers of gay and lesbian seniors living in the community and to identify issues that emerged from an exploration of access to and equity in health care services for these populations. Design...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Gerontologist 2007-08, Vol.47 (4), p.490-503
Main Authors: Brotman, Shari, Ryan, Bill, Collins, Shannon, Chamberland, Line, Cormier, Robert, Julien, Danielle, Meyer, Elizabeth, Peterkin, Allan, Richard, Brenda
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Access and equity
Access to Health Care
Adult
Aged
Attitude to Health
Biological and medical sciences
Canada
Caregiver Role
Caregivers
Caregivers - psychology
Caregiving
Comparative analysis
Elderly
Family Relationship
Female
Foreign Countries
Gay and lesbian aging
Gays & lesbians
Health care
Health care access
Health services
Health Services Accessibility
Healthcare Disparities
Heterosexuality
HIV
Home Care
Home Nursing - psychology
Homophobia
Homosexuality
Homosexuality, Female
Homosexuality, Male
Human immunodeficiency virus
Humans
Identification (Psychology)
Interpersonal Relationship
Interviews
Interviews as Topic
Lesbianism
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Miscellaneous
National Health Programs
Older Adults
Population
Prejudice
Public health. Hygiene
Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine
Sexual orientation
Social Discrimination
Social Support Groups
Specialization
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Summary:Purpose: This article reports on the findings of a study whose purpose was to explore the experiences of caregivers of gay and lesbian seniors living in the community and to identify issues that emerged from an exploration of access to and equity in health care services for these populations. Design and Methods: The study used a qualitative methodology based upon principles of grounded theory in which open-ended interviews were undertaken with 17 caregivers living in three different cities across Canada. Results: Findings indicated several critical themes, including the impact of felt and anticipated discrimination, complex processes of coming out, the role of caregivers, self-identification as a caregiver, and support. Implications: We consider several recommendations for change in light of emerging themes, including expanding the definition of caregivers to be more inclusive of gay and lesbian realities, developing specialized services, and advocating to eliminate discrimination faced by these populations.
ISSN:0016-9013
1758-5341
DOI:10.1093/geront/47.4.490