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An Exploration of Gay & Lesbian Elder Abuse
Domestic violence and other abusive family situations exist in gay relationships as well as straight. A group of panel participants leads this talk about the vulnerability of the gay elderly and solutions for intervention by health service providers.
Gay & Lesbian Spirituality and Aging: Setting the Stage for Successful Aging
The importance of spirituality in later life cannot be overlooked in anyone's life--especially not in the lives of older gays and lesbians. In a time when many people begin to circumvent and rejuvenate their faith, it is important to help those who may have become estranged from spirituality in religion, to rediscover the good and positive aspects of faith. This workshop is designed to emphasize gay/lesbian spirituality and is coordinated by persons of various religions and is presented in a manner inclusive to all.
Gay Grief: The Loss of Loved Ones and the Bereavement Closet
Michael Shernoff, a social worker in private practice and author of Gay Widowers: Life After the Death of a Partner leads this discussion on "disenfranchised grief." While he acknowledges that much of this process is universal for all those who have lost a loved one, he addresses the special needs of gays and lesbians and shows health care professionals techniques for validation giving the gay person the same dignity and respect they would receive as a heterosexual who has lost a spouse.
HIV Over Fifty: An Epidemic of Invisibility
An "estimated 12% of people with AIDS in the United States are over 50-years old." This workshop uses a case study and research findings as a basis for a discussion of possible techniques used in service delivery. Older people living with HIV/AIDS have different needs associated with their own aging process and the social stigma of being gay and elderly.
Mental Health Treatment for Senior Lesbians and Gay Men
A workshop which uses a group of panelists and their own personal and professional experiences to explore the specific mental needs of lesbian and gay elderly. Examples of therapies used in both the past and present are used to illustrate appropriate modalities for today's society.
My Wheelchair Has A Rainbow, How Will You Take Care Of Me?
An intensive workshop which examines some of the problems with residential in-service training currently used in long term care. Participants learn techniques for "institutional awareness" and then assist in developing more techniques which are more apropos.
Public Policy Issues that Affect Older Gay Men & Lesbians
This workshop challenges the presumptions that policies affecting the older adult are inclusive of non-heterosexuals, but focuses primarily on creating/changing public policy to directly address the needs of LGBT elderly.
Service Provision to Older Gay Men & Lesbians
A workshop facilitated by service providers from the New York area (3 are social workers) which can help both gay and straight professionals. It enables clients to move from "invisibility to perceptibility" while accessing community-based services for the elderly.
Supportive Housing for Senior Gay Men and Lesbians: What Researchers are Discovering
This panel presentation includes dialogue between more than five retirement developers who are planning communities specifically for gay and lesbian elderly. Presenters comment on the costs incurred with these projects, financing, cost to buyers, and other funding issues created by this type of unprecedented project.
NOTE: Both the American Society on Aging, Lesbian and Gay Aging Issues Network and Senior Action in a Gay Environment have workshop audiotapes from their conferences available for purchase. Contact Gerard Koskovich at ASA or Terry Kaehlber at SAGE for copies on these and more LGBT aging sensitive materials. SAGE also has
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