UNISON Belfast
We are delighted to host Prof Pam Arnsberger, formely from University of California to talk about some of the experiences in the US around advocating for older LGBT people.
In the next several decades, the number of self-identified LGBT adults age 65 and above is expected to double in western countries. As older gays and lesbians are half as likely as their heterosexual counterparts to have family to lean on for elder care, five basic unmet needs have been identified in the
research:
1. Basic Health Care. Professional health care providers who might be uncomfortable LGBT elders and who are not trained to work with them. Even when these providers are supportive, fear of discrimination prevents many LGBT older people from seeking out the care they need.
2. Caregiving Issues. Because their partners and their families of choice often are not recognized under the law, LGBT people frequently are not granted family or medical leave to take care of a sick or terminally ill partner and can be excluded from decision-making on a partner's medical care.
3. Financial Insecurity. Poverty rates among elder lesbian and gay couples are much higher than among elder heterosexual couples. Due to employment discrimination and barriers in pension and retirement plans that deny same-sex couples key retirement benefits
4. Social Isolation. Older LGBT people are twice as likely to be single and to live alone, and three to four times as likely to be childless. They are also less likely to feel welcome in the places where many older people socialise
5. Access to Aging Services. LGBT older people often do not access aging services out of fear of harassment or hostility. Few aging services providers plan for, or reach out to, the LGBT community and few are prepared to address insensitivity or discrimination aimed at LGBT elders.
Pam Arnsberger received her Ph.D. from UC Berkeley in 1991. She served as a researcher and professor at the Institute of Health and Aging at the University of California San Francisco, the University of New England and the University of Hawaii. Her research focus is in aging with an emphasis on the development of community-based methods of long term care service delivery and Alzheimer’s Disease. She is a Fulbright scholar and a recipient of the Na Lima Kokua award for research and service. She is currently retired and, in addition to serving as President -elect for Capitola Aptos Rotary and serves as Vice President of the Santa Cruz County Senior’s Council
