TY - JOUR
T1 - Understanding the Role of Virtual Outreach and Programming for LGBT Individuals in Later Life
AU - Prasad, Anyah
AU - Immel, Michael
AU - Fisher, Alice
AU - Hale, Timothy M.
AU - Jethwani, Kamal
AU - Centi, Amanda J.
AU - Linscott, Bob
AU - Boerner, Kathrin
N1 - Funding Information:
We would like to acknowledge that this study was partly funded by The Boston Foundation, Mass General Brigham, and National Queer Asian & Pacific Islander Association. We also thank LGBT Elders of Color, Boston Prime Timers, Unity of Pioneer Valley, Bisexual Resource Center, Rainbow Elders of LifePath, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston, and Stonewall Seniors for helping in participant recruitment.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
PY - 2022
Y1 - 2022
N2 - Due to health disparities LGBT older adults may have more health care needs, but they are likely to have less informal sources of support. While efforts have been made to serve LGBT older adults, traditional forms of in person outreach and service may still be inaccessible to those living in rural areas, with restricted mobility, due to lack of transportation, during inclement weather, or in public health situations as the Covid-19 pandemic. We conducted focus group discussions to understand the role of virtual outreach in serving LGBT individuals’ needs in their later years of life. Study participants expressed a desire for dating, community, aging in place, and affirming health care. However, their experience of internalized and institutional homophobia and ageism may act as barriers in fulfilling those needs. A dedicated virtual space has the potential to overcome these barriers by facilitating online get-togethers, support groups, dating events, having coming out resources, and exchanging information on LGBT friendly health services. Having a space to express their generativity may make such virtual services more empowering. Lack of technological access and privacy concerns may hinder the use of virtual services but can be overcome with training and education.
AB - Due to health disparities LGBT older adults may have more health care needs, but they are likely to have less informal sources of support. While efforts have been made to serve LGBT older adults, traditional forms of in person outreach and service may still be inaccessible to those living in rural areas, with restricted mobility, due to lack of transportation, during inclement weather, or in public health situations as the Covid-19 pandemic. We conducted focus group discussions to understand the role of virtual outreach in serving LGBT individuals’ needs in their later years of life. Study participants expressed a desire for dating, community, aging in place, and affirming health care. However, their experience of internalized and institutional homophobia and ageism may act as barriers in fulfilling those needs. A dedicated virtual space has the potential to overcome these barriers by facilitating online get-togethers, support groups, dating events, having coming out resources, and exchanging information on LGBT friendly health services. Having a space to express their generativity may make such virtual services more empowering. Lack of technological access and privacy concerns may hinder the use of virtual services but can be overcome with training and education.
KW - ICT
KW - LGBT
KW - Technology
KW - aging
KW - internet
KW - virtual
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U2 - 10.1080/01634372.2022.2032526
DO - 10.1080/01634372.2022.2032526
M3 - Article
C2 - 35107060
AN - SCOPUS:85124251380
SN - 0163-4372
VL - 65
SP - 766
EP - 781
JO - Journal of Gerontological Social Work
JF - Journal of Gerontological Social Work
IS - 7
ER -