Nursing care of transgendered older adults. Implications from the literature

Although there has been considerable medical and psychological research into the phenomenon of transgenderism, little attention has been paid to issues specific to the older transgendered adult. This article seeks to address this gap by exploring issues relevant to the nursing care of the older transgendered adult. The specific topics covered include social support, abuse and neglect, medical concerns, and access to medical care. Resources for the transgendered older adult also are included. Journal articles and texts from nursing, medicine, and psychology are used. This review highlights implications for nursing, offers suggestions for promoting a therapeutic relationship in both the inpatient and outpatient setting, and concludes with areas for future research.