Bridging the Gap: Geriatric Care for LGBTQ+ Adults in Rural America
LGBTQIA+ older adults in rural America face unique challenges as they navigate healthcare systems ill-equipped to meet their needs. In a compelling report, Rheumatology Advisor emphasizes the importance of culturally competent care for this demographic—a concern as crucial as it is urgent.
Understanding the Burden
As the United States enters an era of rapid population aging, with the National Resource Center on LGBTQIA+ Aging projecting that 7 million Americans aged 65 and older will identify as LGBTQIA+ by 2030, the healthcare needs of these individuals become ever more pressing. Notably, 82% of LGBTQIA+ older adults have encountered victimization or discrimination at least once, underscoring a history of systemic challenges that today’s healthcare landscape must address.
Local Impact: The Plight of Rural-Dwelling LGBTQ+ Elders
The rural backdrop intensifies these challenges, fostering an environment where LGBTQIA+ older adults often face heightened obstacles. Dr. Jennifer Carnahan, a geriatrician at Indiana University, explains, “LGBTQIA+ older adults tend to stay closeted, particularly in rural healthcare settings where fear of discrimination looms large.”
For residents in these areas, the lack of cultural competency in medical education contributes to social isolation and poor access to adequate healthcare. Electronic health record systems, for instance, often misgender patients, impeding gender-affirming care—a significant concern in rural locales where resources are already scant.
Jason Flatt, an associate professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, elaborates: “In terms of being in a rural community, there’s often fewer rich resources. There’s probably going to be less LGBTQIA+ people living in rural communities, so there may not be as many specialized services.”
The Human Element: Mental and Emotional Well-being
Despite prevailing misconceptions, LGBTQIA+ communities are far from homogeneous, and older adults in these groups frequently grapple with psychological adversity at disproportionate rates. They report higher levels of anxiety, depression, and loneliness than their heterosexual peers, spurred partly by dual discrimination based on age and sexual orientation.
“It’s damaging to force someone out of the closet; we need to create environments where older adults feel safe expressing their identity,” said Dr. Carnahan, underscoring the emotional toll exacted by healthcare environments that fail to affirm individual identities.
Indeed, substance use disorders also loom large as manifestations of prolonged marginalization, historical discrimination, and inadequate coping mechanisms for stressors associated with an unsupportive social framework.
Rethinking Healthcare Policy and Practice
To ensure LGBTQIA+ older adults receive the culturally competent care they deserve, healthcare policies must evolve. Initiatives like cultural competency training for healthcare providers are paramount in cultivating inclusivity and reflect a commitment to equity. Flatt suggests hiring LGBTQIA+ community members within healthcare settings and adjusting intake forms to accommodate chosen names and self-identified gender identities as concrete steps toward this goal.
Healthcare policymakers must consider both the potential benefits and challenges of these changes. While addressing the needs of LGBTQIA+ older adults could catalyze broader social justice reforms, maintaining a balanced and transparent approach to implementation remains critical.
Community Connections and Ongoing Dialogue
In areas like the Rio Grande Valley, where community ties are strong yet the social stigma against LGBTQIA+ individuals persists, stakeholder engagement could bolster policy effectiveness. Open conversations and public forums would facilitate greater understanding and provide avenues for constructive feedback, thus aligning healthcare practices with the specific needs of local residents.
Looking Ahead: Ensuring a Dignified Future
Moving forward, these considerations must inform the crafting of an equitable healthcare framework that prioritizes the dignity and well-being of LGBTQIA+ older adults. By fostering inclusive environments and combating systemic inequities, we have the opportunity to transform healthcare delivery for the betterment of all communities.
For local readers seeking more information on this topic, organizations such as Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) offer invaluable resources to those navigating these challenges. Community engagement remains critical, as advocates continue pushing for the systemic changes needed to meet the unique needs of this marginalized group.
In considering the lessons from Rheumatology Advisor’s timely report, it is imperative that Woke news and similar outlets remain steadfast in highlighting these issues and the journeys of those affected—ensuring that the identities and voices of LGBTQIA+ older adults are never excluded from the conversation.
As policies evolve, and awareness grows, may we inch ever closer to a future where healthcare systems truly reflect the diversity and complexity of the communities they serve.
