Insensitive Attitudes Encountered by Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual, (LGB) Older Adults in Healthcare Systems:
Have We Made Wrong Choices?
Volume 2 - Issue 1
Okpodi Julius1* and Okhakhu Emmarex2
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- 1Canadian Registered Social Worker, Canada
- 2Canadian healthcare leadership, Canada
*Corresponding author:
Okpodi Julius, Canadian Registered Social Worker, Canada
Received: November 02, 2018; Published: November 13, 2018
DOI: 10.32474/LOJNHC.2018.02.000126
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Abstract
Aging comes with life challenges. As older adults face changes in health, abilities, and social circumstances, their need for quality
social and healthcare services grows. For the Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual (LGB) older adults, their search for healthcare services
unleashes extra burdens: the lack of respect, dignity from healthcare workers, so much that they fear treatment when navigating
through the social and healthcare systems. This study referenced cultural sensitivity, honouring a relationship, and accommodating
a partner as sensitive social support that requires immediate attention. The data gathered from this study were interpreted through
the lens of thematic analysis. Thematic analysis was used to identify emerging themes. A theme captures something important
about the data in relation to the research question and represents some level of patterned response or meaning within the data set.
While participants’ narratives overlap and reinforce each other, thematic approach provides a way of understanding how
LGB older adults construct meaning to their perceptions and experiences of services received within British Columbia Northern
Health Authority boundaries. The findings from this study seek to identify perceived social inequalities (disrespect, homophobia,
insensitive behaviours, and ill treatment) and help to improve human conditions by bridging the gaps that exist between social and
healthcare services. Social and healthcare services discussed in this study specifically speak to housing and healthcare challenges
faced by LGB older adults. Further, findings developed for this study allowed the understanding of social support for sexual minority
older adults and the need for the field of gerontology to increase research on this population.
Keywords: LGB Older Adults; Homophobia; Cultural Sensitivity; Honoring LGB relationship; LGB Social Support; and Thematic Analysis.
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