Care of the elderly transgender patient

This review examines recent developments regarding the care of the elderly transgender patient. There is scant clinical or other relevant information related to this topic, as the phenomenon of gender incongruity has been largely misunderstood and underreported. It is important that guidelines for appropriate and sensitive care be established, as this population is proliferating due to media attention and greater access to care.

A preponderance of evidence exists establishing that gender nonconforming elders are subject to discriminatory healthcare treatment. Agencies that serve the elderly are rife with policies and practices that resist acknowledging the needs of this population. Most heathcare and service providers have little experience with this group and limited understanding of non-normative gender identification. Barriers to treatment amplify the challenges of ageing for the transgender person and can lead to nondisclosure of clinically relevant personal information.

Increasing numbers of ageing transgender individuals will be interfacing with health and care providers. Many of these individuals will require medical and surgical interventions for gender dysphoria. Therefore, a concise enunciation of guidelines and standards of care applicable to these elderly, and training of primary care and specialists to provide such care are necessary. Education for nurses, social workers, administrators and others who comprise the comprehensive care system must be mandatory. Finally, institutions and agencies must adapt and become inclusive of the spectrum of diverse individuals found across the changing social landscape.