LGBT seniors face challenges

Palm Springs Desert Sun

The LGBTQ community has in recent years had great cause for celebration in the United States as our country joined the handful of more progressive cultures of the world in officially passing marriage equality on a national level and with a few small steps in the recognition of transgender issues.  All of that jubilation seems to have come to a crashing halt, and may be going in the opposite direction with recent changes politically.

Christopher Knippers

In a recent interview, award-winning filmmaker Stu Maddux expressed his concern that people who have been silent about their negative views of LGBT people are now feeling empowered to discriminate against anyone for whom they have a “moral objection” and are using the First Amendment as their justification for discriminating against that community.

This apparent trend toward increased discrimination against the LGBT community raises some specific concerns for those who are aging and will need caregivers who are empathetic toward and supportive of them. Maddux believes that though there has been a greater awareness of LGBT needs among many leaders in the elder care industry and that efforts have been made to provide a safe, supportive environment, even an enlightened leadership of an industry cannot force employees to change their basic attitudes. Many of these negative attitudes, Maddux fears, may bleed over into the way in which these workers care for the elderly. Many elderly LGBT individuals are receiving grossly inadequate care and are experiencing more anxiety.

A new way: Shift addiction treatment focus

All of this raises the concern that people in the LGBT community will become sicker sooner and that their emotional well-being will be threatened by anxiety about their future. Anxiety, depression, and substance abuse are already significant problems in the general senior population, and the lack of support for LGBT people makes that community even more vulnerable to these issues.

One positive strategy for which those in the LGBT community can strive is to start now, whether younger or older, to build a more supportive group of people around you. People of all ages can be more aware of the needs of the LGBT senior community. We can build a culture within and even outside of the LGBTQ community that supports the elderly. This is the most basic level of a solution. 

Of course, addressing civic, state, and national leadership and policy is also needed. But lets all do what we can on a personal level to reach out to each other and to help meet the needs of the elderly who may be feeling isolated, anxious, and all alone in the world as they age.  You are part of the solution. 

As part of its effort to educate the Palm Springs community on mental illness, addiction and the aging population, Michael’s House is inviting the community to a free screening of Stu Maddux’s movie, "Gen Silent," on Friday, Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. in the Riviera Resort Ballroom. This event is part of the Finding Freedom Symposium. More information is available at http://lgbtqsymposium.com 

Christopher Knippers is a Ph.D. in clinical psychology who works as a writer, psychotherapist and speaker. He writes the blog CopingWithChronicDisease.com.  Email him at dr.knippers@att.net.