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Unheard voices: A qualitative study of LGBT+ older people experiences during the first wave of the COVID‐19 pandemic in the UK
Author(s) -
HaffordLetchfield Trish,
Toze Michael,
Westwood Sue
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
health and social care in the community
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.984
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1365-2524
pISSN - 0966-0410
DOI - 10.1111/hsc.13531
Subject(s) - lesbian , qualitative research , older people , transgender , social distance , distancing , government (linguistics) , pandemic , covid-19 , sociology , psychology , gender studies , gerontology , medicine , social science , linguistics , philosophy , disease , pathology , infectious disease (medical specialty)
This paper reports findings from a qualitative study into the immediate impact of social distancing measures on the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT+) older people (≥60 years) living in the UK during the first lockdown of the COVID‐19 pandemic. It draws on in‐depth interviews with 17 older people and 6 key informants from LGBT+ community‐based organisations, exploring the strategies used to manage their situations, how they responded and adapted to key challenges. Five themes emerged related to: (1) risk factors for LGBT+ older people and organisations, including specific findings on trans experiences; (2) care practices in LGBT+ lives; (3) strengths and benefits of networking (4) politicisation of ageing issues and their relevance to LGBT+ communities and (5) learning from communication and provision in a virtual world. The findings illuminate adaptability and many strengths in relation to affective equality and reciprocal love, care and support among LGBT+ older people. It is vital UK that the government recognises and addresses the needs and concerns of LGBT+ older people during emergencies.