Study Reveals Being An LGBTQ Senior Is Even Harder Than We Thought 

According to SAGE, a national advocacy group, LGBTQ+ older adults face unique challenges, particularly around caregiving, health care, and housing. Unlike their heterosexual peers, LGBTQ+ elders are four times less likely to have children and twice as likely to age alone. Mitchell Zahn, a coordinator for SAGE in South Florida, highlighted the different caregiving models between LGBTQ+ and heterosexual communities. He noted that LGBTQ+ elders often rely on friends for care, a system that falters as friends age and develop their own health needs. Discrimination in health care is a major concern. Approximately 20% of LGBTQ+ individuals avoid medical care due to fear of bias. Transgender elders face even greater difficulties, with reports of abusive language from health providers and a lack of understanding about transgender care. Morgan Mayfaire, executive director of TransSOCIAL, has experienced prejudice firsthand and works to train medical professionals on best practices for transgender patients. Housing is another significant hurdle. Nearly half of LGBTQ+ couples face discrimination when seeking senior housing, and many elders feel compelled to hide their identities to be accepted in some communities. Over 60% of LGBTQ+ older adults report feelings of isolation and lack of companionship.