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Aging can be a scary experience for anyone, but people of a trans experience have unique issues that must be taken into consideration when it comes to aging and how it effects their lives. As you age, your medical needs increase and sometimes your social circle or support system may shrink. For individuals who have less economic stability, housing and medical care can be even more difficult to secure and have control over.
Competent care for trans elders is evolving as more doctors get training and as medical laws have been changing to provide more protections for older trans people. Nursing homes have been places where LGBTQ+ people have experienced a removal of gender identity and even segregation from others. Unfortunately, it is common that older people of a trans experience will ignore or neglect their medical needs for fear of being placed into nursing care. This fear is compounded when a person is also a person of color or of lower socioeconomic background because of less choices and options of care based on insurance and income.
In response to personal experience, more groups are starting to come together to provide community and support to each other and families. Through this activism, more people are finding the ways in which to demand better care and culturally competent practices. We have included some of the resources and groups below for aging LGBTQ+ individuals.
“I never imagined myself as 62. Now I am here and things are different. It has been a difficult adjustment for me. There are things that are physically harder for me to do. We need a group for aging trans people.”
TERYL LYNN
Resources for Aging Transgender Adults
Booklet for Transgender Seniors
Published by Lambda Legal, a national nonprofit organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and everyone living with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work.
SAGE
SAGE is a national advocacy and services organization that’s been looking out for LGBT elders since 1978. SAGE builds welcoming communities and keep LGBT elder issues in the national conversation to ensure a fulfilling future for all LGBT people.
Report: Improving the Lives of Transgender Older Adults
A report produced by SAGE (Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders) and National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) that examines the social, economic and service barriers facing transgender older adults. Thisreport includes a detailed literature review, profiles of the experiences of transgender elders around the country and more than 60 concrete recommendations for policymakers and…
The Transgender Aging Network
The Transgender Aging Network (TAN) exists to improve the lives of current and future trans/SOFFA (significant others, friends, family and allies) elders. TAN is a proud partner in the federal-government funded National Resource Center on LGBT Aging, headed by SAGE.
AGING AS A TRANSGENDER WOMAN
As I write this blog, I sit back to recall all the moments in my life that I honestly never thought I’d even make it to; much less prepare for. As a 51-year-old Black woman of Trans Experience who is also living with HIV, Epilepsy, Pre-Diabetes, High Blood Pressure AND High Cholesterol, JUST TO NAME…