How the elder LGBT population is being made invisible : Experiences and perceptions of elderly care

Although Sweden is considered to be in the lead concerning an open-minded perception of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) population, very little attention has been given to the elderly within this target group. The elder LGBT population’s got special needs that haven’t been made sufficiently visible, neither as a research field, from social institutions nor from the LGBT movement itself. This study has described the target group's specific needs, based on the results of a focus group consisting of older LGBT people. Their experiences and stories have given an idea of what adjustments must be made to satisfy their specific needs. These needs have included the development of housing with LGBT focus, education for health care workers, information about the existence of the target group to other elderly and changes in the practice of social workers. Respondents' attitudes, opinions and ideas have been analyzed by means of queer theory, ageism and the intersectional perspective. Finally, the results have been discussed and a few recommendations are provided