From Donut Holes to Nursing Homes: The US Healthcare System in Aging, Ethnically Diverse America--MEDC 60803
SMALL GROUP PROJECTS
Small Group projects: The goal is for the learners to become “agents of change” within the context of LTC racial health disparities. Each group will have 30 minutes to present their topic. Each group will have option of picking a topic at random, or choosing their own topic based on group interest. Goals of the small group project include:
- Highlighting a geriatric healthcare disparity
- Identifying various “levels” at which this disparity exists, and
- Developing potential interventions to narrow this disparity.
Included in prepared topics:
- Topic
- Initial list of references
Topic: Health Disparities in the Geriatric LGBT community.
References:
- Coon DW. Burleson MH. Working With Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Families. Ethnicity and Dementia. Second Edition. Routledge. 2006:343-358.
- Gross, J. Aging and Gay, and Facing Prejudice in Twilight. The New York Times. October 9, 2007.
- Understanding and Caring for Lesbian and Gay Older Adults, (see ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY, next page.)
Understanding and Caring for Lesbian and Gay Older Adults
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Books
Berger, Raymond M. Gay and Gray: The Older Homosexual Man (2nd ed. (1995). Binghamton, NY: Haworth Press.
This "classic work" on older gay men includes information on demographics, relationships, psychological and social adaptations, some of the prejudices faced, attitudes towards society and socialization, and theories of successful aging for this special population. The appendix includes a questionnaire on homosexuality and aging.
Cahill, Sean, Ken South and Jane Spade. (2000.) Outing Age: Public Policy Issues Affecting Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Elders. (Adobe Acrobat version accessible at
This report outlines major public policy issues facing LGBTseniors, including federal aging programs; public health; disability; long term care and caregiving; housing concerns; employment and income support programs such as social security.
Coleman, Penny. (2000). Village Elders. Champaign, .IL: University of Illinois Press.
Village Elders is a book of black-and-white stills with accompanying text, which tells the stories of older adults in New York City's gay, lesbian; bisexual and transgender communities. The collection of faces and oral histories form a collage of intimate details of what it was like "back then" and how it is today for those who lived through the social revolution of the 20th century.
Cruz, J. Michael, Ph.D. (2003). Sociological Analysis ofAging: The Gay Male Perspective. New York: The Hawthorne Press.
This book contains an exploratory study of the life changes homosexual and bisexual men experience as they age. Itpresents in-depth, qualitative interviews with gay men, aged 55 and older, focusing on their physical, mental and social needs. More than 100 men offer first-hand perceptions on the unique problems they face with regards to employment/retirement, housing, health and well-being, and relationships, and how they function within (or without) a social support system.
Dworkin, Sari H. and Fernando J. Gutierrez. (1992). Counseling GayMen and Lesbians: Journey to the End of the Rainbow. AlexandriaVA: American Counseling Assn.
An excellent resource for therapists working with gays, lesbians and bisexuals of all ages, but with additional emphasis on the developmental stages associated with midlife and beyond. Case studyexamples, as well as its contributions from other aging experts, provide helpful suggestions for assisting the older adult client.
Gerrshick, Zsa Zsa. (1998). Gay Old Girls. Los Angeles: Alyson Publications
This book is a wonderful collection of the fascinating stories of nine old lesbians. Together they present a sometimes funny and sometimes sad voyage through U.S. lesbian history of the mid-20th century.
Harwood, Gean. The Oldest Gay Couple in America: A 70Year Journey Through Same Sex in America. (1997). New York: Birch Lane Press.
This autobiography spans the author's life from birth to his adulthood years with his longtime companion, Bruhs Mero. The story is a loving .and touching chronicle of a gay man living in a time when gays did not the have freedom to be as open about their orientation. Bruhs dies of Alzheimer's disease in 1995 and Gean, at age 90, discusses how hecomes to peace with the loss of his partner and his own inevitable mortality. The book gives an historical perspective of closeted and out gay men during the early and middle 1900's.
Kimmel, Douglas C. and Dawn Lundy Martin (eds.) (2003). Midlife and Aging in GayAmerica: Proceedings of the SAGE Conference 2000.
From a May 2000 conference sponsored by Senior Action in a Gay Environment (SAGE) come four keynote speeches and eight research essays representing a diverse collection of concerns revolving around aging and intergenerational issues in the gay and lesbian community. Also published as the Journal of GayLesbian Studies, v.13, no.4. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR.
Lee, John Alan. (1991). Gay Midlife and Maturity. Binghampton, NY: HarringtonPark Press.
This collection of 13 articles includes research on aging as well as some very moving personal stories that touch on the stigmaof homosexuality inlater life and methods of adjustments including frank information on the impact of age and adaptations in sexual lifestyles.
Lockhart, John. (2002). The GayMan's Guide to Growing Older, Vol. 1.Los Angeles: Alyson Publications.
John Lockhart provides a series of memorable snapshots of aging gay American men in interviews crossing all regional, financial,and ethnic boundaries. The men reflect on a broad spectrum of issues: sex, spirituality, self-image, finances, hea1th, and retirement living.
Quam, Jean K., (1997). Social Services for Senior Gay Men and Lesbians. Haworth Press. (Monograph published simultaneously as The Journal of Gay &Lesbian Social Services, Vol 2,No.1).
This book is a compilation of information intended to assist social service providers in their work with senior gays and lesbians, providing a historical overview of lesbian and gay elderly, resources for programs and services, research and treatment, and sample case studies for review.
Sarton, May. (1995). Encore: A Journal of the Eightieth Year. New York: W. W. Norton.
Beginning in the early 1970s, May Sarton wrote as an out lesbian about lesbians and other women, but also about love and life and how to live it. In this, her last journal, she shares her perceptions on aging -- how the body tires, the spirit lifts, energy returns and projects abound.
Reports and Research Studies
London Age Concern England (2001). Opening Doors: Working With Older Lesbians and Gay Men.
This highly informative, clearly structured manual is designed to give providers of services for older adults the tools they need to make their organizational cultures more inclusive of lesbian and gay issues and to reach out to the lesbian and gay elders within the populations they serve. Although published for use in the U.K., most of the information and ideas in this manual will prove useful to professionals in North America. For information on ordering, e-mail .
Beauchamp, Dennis, Jim Skinner and Perry Wiggins (2003). LGBT Persons in Chicago: Growing Older – A Survey of Needs and Perceptions. Chicago Task Force on LGBT Aging.
It is estimated that there are more than 40,000 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Chicago over the age of 55. This report outlines specific issues, needs and concerns of the Chicago LGBT 55+ population and includes recommendations for social service, health care and housing providers and the larger Chicago LGBT community as a whole.
Cahill, Sean, Ken South and Jane Spade (2000). Outing Age – Public Policy Issues Affecting Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Elders. Policy Institute of the National Gay and Lesbian Task force.
This report is the first product in an ongoing effort to advance understanding of the needs of older gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. In addition to demographic data and in-depth analysis of policy issues, the report outlines policy remedies and supporting research. An appendix lists contact information for similar organizations working on elder issues. To order, contact the Washington, DC headquarters of the NGLTF at 202-332-6483 or at
Videotapes
Poirer, A. C. (Producer). (1989). Salut Victor [Film]. (Available in French with English subtitles from NTSC, Toronto, Canada).
A French-Canadian film about two men, who meet in a nursing home and fall in love. Victor is the nursing home rebel and loves to cause havoc and have fun with the nursing home staff. Phillippe is a very staunch and serious loner who is unhappy about his placement and wants to simply sit in his room and pass his last days alone with little contact with other residents. The film is very representative of two gay men in their 70’s – one very open about his orientation and one very closeted.
Savage, Eleanor (Director). (1996). Voicing the Legacy.
Women who were born in the McCarthy era find difficulty coming out of the closet and facing their lesbian identity. Courageous and strong older women express their heartfelt stories in this documentary that touches on a mix of profound repercussions from society and family, and loneliness and fears of coming out.
Senior Action in a Gay Environment (SAGE). (1991). New York.
This documentary profiles participants in the programs of Senior Action in a Gay Environment (SAGE), the pioneering social services provider for LGBT elders in New York City. This video is a useful tool to raise awareness of LGBT aging issues among professionals working with old people.
Schiller, G. (Producer). (1984). Before Stonewall [Film]. (Available from PBS Video, 1320 Braddock Place, Alexandria, VA22314).
Rita Mae Brown is the narrator for this film about life before gay/lesbian liberation. It gives a clear perspective of the changes that have occurred in our culture over time and creates sensitivity to issues affecting older LGBT’s using history as a marker.
Wilson, A. A. (1998). Bubbeh Lee & Me [Film]. (Available from New Day Films at
This Emmy Award nominated film is the story of a feisty 87-year old Jewish grandmother and her gay grandson who bond during a visit. From feelings of alienation to acceptance, this film examines the legacies passed through generations and illustrates the journey of self-discovery facilitated by sharing thoughts and intimate secrets with another human being.
Audiotapes
(All available from Senior Action in a Gay Environment [SAGE], 305 Seventh Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10001. Phone: 212-741-2247, e-mail: ; Web:
My Wheelchair Has A Rainbow, How Will You Take Care Of Me?
An intensive workshop that examines some of the problems with residential in-service training currently used in long-term care. Participants learn techniques for “institutional awareness” and then assist in developing more techniques, which are more apropos.
Service Provision to Older Gay Men & Lesbians
A workshop facilitated by service providers from the New York area (three are social workers) which can help both gay and straight professionals. It enables clients to move from “invisibility to perceptibility” while accessing community-based services for the elderly.
Supportive Housing for Senior Gay Men and Lesbians: What Researchers are Discovering
This panel presentation includes dialogue between more than five retirement developers who are planning communities specifically for gay and lesbian elderly. Presenters comment on the costs incurred with these projects, financing, cost to buyers, and other funding issues created by this type of unprecedented project.
Web Sites
LAGAIN Web Directory
The LGAIN, The American Society on Aging’s (ASA) Lesbian and Gay Aging Issues Network (LGAIN) works to raise awareness about the concerns of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) elders and about the unique barriers they encounter in gaining access to housing, healthcare, long-term care and other needed services. The web guide includes annotated listings for over 200 websites providing information on LGBT aging issues.
Senior Action in a Gay Environment (SAGE)
Senior Action in a Gay Environment (SAGE) provides comprehensive services to LGBT elders in New York City. The SAGE website features resources of use to professionals across the United States, including a national directory – developed in partnership with LGAIN – of providers offering services to LGBT older adults. The site also gives details on SAGE-net, SAGE’s affiliate program for groups working with LGBT elders.