Issues confronting lesbian and gay elders: the challenge for health and human services providers

During the past two decades, the number of people over the age of 65 in the United States has been increasing twice as fast as the rest of the population. Within this diverse group, gerontologists are increasingly aware that there also exists a large population of older lesbian, gay men, and bisexuals. Health professionals must learn to acknowledge and meet the needs of this population. This article assists in addressing the knowledge gap by acquainting the reader with the aging concerns of lesbian and gay men; the impact of homophobia on their health; common heterosexual practices and their impact on care; retirement and leisure issues; the hidden incidence of abuse and neglect; and some suggested strategies that will assist health and human services workers in providing quality care for lesbians and gays as they age.