Abstract
This paper reports findings from a qualitative study into the immediate
impact of social distancing measures on the lives of lesbian, gay,
bisexual and trans (LGBT+) older people (≥60 years) living in the UK
during the first lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic. It draws on in-depth
interviews with 17 older people and 6 key informants from LGBT+
community-based organisations, exploring the strategies used to
manage their situations, how they responded and adapted to key
challenges. Five themes emerged related to: 1) risk factors for LGBT+
older people and organisations, including specific findings on trans
experiences,;2) care practices in LGBT+ lives,;3) strengths and benefits
of networking 4) politicisation of ageing issues and their relevance to
LGBT+ communities; and 5) learning from communication and provision
in a virtual world. The findings illuminate adaptability and many
strengths in relation to affective equality and reciprocal love, care and
support among LGBT+ older people. It is vital UK that the government
recognises and addresses the needs and concerns of LGBT+ older
people during emergencies.
What is known: The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and the wider
governmental and societal response, brought health inequalities into
sharp focus, exposing the structural disadvantage and discrimination
faced by many marginalised communities in the UK and globally. LGBT+
older people are known to experience health inequalities compounded
by anticipated or poor experiences of accessing health and social care
services.
What this paper adds: An exploration of LGBT+ older peple, their
communities and social networks and how these were adapted in the
COVID-19 context. Trans older people have been affected in very
specific ways. The findings illuminate adaptability and many strengths in
relation to affective equality and reciprocal love, care and support among
LGBT+ older people. It is vital UK that the government recognises and
addresses the needs and concerns of LGBT+ older people during
emergencies.
impact of social distancing measures on the lives of lesbian, gay,
bisexual and trans (LGBT+) older people (≥60 years) living in the UK
during the first lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic. It draws on in-depth
interviews with 17 older people and 6 key informants from LGBT+
community-based organisations, exploring the strategies used to
manage their situations, how they responded and adapted to key
challenges. Five themes emerged related to: 1) risk factors for LGBT+
older people and organisations, including specific findings on trans
experiences,;2) care practices in LGBT+ lives,;3) strengths and benefits
of networking 4) politicisation of ageing issues and their relevance to
LGBT+ communities; and 5) learning from communication and provision
in a virtual world. The findings illuminate adaptability and many
strengths in relation to affective equality and reciprocal love, care and
support among LGBT+ older people. It is vital UK that the government
recognises and addresses the needs and concerns of LGBT+ older
people during emergencies.
What is known: The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and the wider
governmental and societal response, brought health inequalities into
sharp focus, exposing the structural disadvantage and discrimination
faced by many marginalised communities in the UK and globally. LGBT+
older people are known to experience health inequalities compounded
by anticipated or poor experiences of accessing health and social care
services.
What this paper adds: An exploration of LGBT+ older peple, their
communities and social networks and how these were adapted in the
COVID-19 context. Trans older people have been affected in very
specific ways. The findings illuminate adaptability and many strengths in
relation to affective equality and reciprocal love, care and support among
LGBT+ older people. It is vital UK that the government recognises and
addresses the needs and concerns of LGBT+ older people during
emergencies.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1233-1243 |
| Journal | Health and Social Care in the Community |
| Volume | 30 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Early online date | 6 Aug 2021 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jul 2022 |