The key issue in this article is to identify and interpret how older LGBTQ adults use impression management strategies in social interaction with non-LGBTQ persons in everyday life situations. The collection of data consists of 15 semi-structured interviews with older LGBTQ adults (65+) in Sweden. A reconstructive methodology for analyzing the material were used and we focused mainly on the latent meaning in the interviewee’s communication. Our findings indicate that the interviewees employed specific impression management strategies. Some of the informants disclosed their LGBTQ identity while others instead tried to conceal this part of their identity, and this depended on individuals’ openness and/or visibility. We also noted differences in using a defensive or assertive impression management strategy and differences between the older LGBTQ adults. A thorough understanding of how older LGBTQ persons deal with being LGBTQ in social interaction with non-LGBTQ persons could be useful knowledge in a practice context. By illuminating the different initial positions of older LGBTQ adults as well as their different impression management strategies in every day social interaction we hope this will be practical knowledge also in different social service settings. This could facilitate the acceptance and the inclusion of older LGBTQ persons. The findings can hopefully be useful for social service personnel to help older LGBTQ adults feel secure about disclosing their LGBTQ identities.

Loneliness amongst older adults are topics relevant for social work practice and research. Older adults can also have a belonging to other social categories. The focus of this paper is on older LGBTQ adults. The issue at stake is how this belonging affect feelings of loneliness. Older LGBTQ adults have a unique history compared to other older adults since the change towards LGBTQs right have improved most significantly during the recent decades. Thus, this group have a history of marginalisation and discrimination. Research has demonstrated that older LGBTQ adults have different social networks than other older adults, depending more on friends and “family of choice” rather than on biological family. Other differences are that they are single to a greater extent than other older adults as well as lacking children. The aim of this presentation is to discuss how older LGBTQ understand different kinds of loneliness in relation to being both LGBT and an older adult. In order to reach participants different strategies were used, such as approaching LGBTQ organization, specific organisations for LGBTQ seniors, a Pride-festival in Stockholm, organizations for senior citizens, snowball sampling, and a senior housing facility for older LGBTQ adults. A qualitative approach has been applied and 15 semi-structured interviews have been conducted with older adults (65+) self-identifying as LGBTQ. Thematic content analysis has been used, primarily focusing on the latent meaning in the material. Even though the main focus is on loneliness the presentation will also shed light on different social relationships since this is the other side of loneliness. To understand the meaning attributed to different social relationships Granovetter´s theoretical concept weak-ties and strong-ties has been applied. The findings suggest that interviewees talked about a feeling of loneliness in relation to being an older adult and/or being LGBTQ. Sometimes one category was more in focus and sometimes the other. It was also possible to discern that sometimes the belonging to both categories could reinforce feelings of loneliness but not always, as it was also possible to discern the opposite pattern. It was also made relevant that strong ties such as intimate relations had a high value for the participants. However, also weak-ties, for example belonging to the LGBTQ community, were made significant and can be understood to mitigate the risk of loneliness. The findings contribute to the debate on social relationships for older LGBTQ adults especially on the importance of addressing the issue of different kinds of loneliness and how this affect later life. This will require an accepting social climate and a more competent approach from social services were social workers lead efforts directed at improving service provision and care competencies for the older LGBTQ community. 

The research dealing with LGBTQ elderly and loneliness has as a rule used quantitative methods, focusing on how different variables correlate with loneliness. This presentation is based on a qualitative study focusing on identifying the meanings of loneliness attributed by older LGBTQ adults. The empirical material consists of semi-structured interviews with LGBTQ elderly (65+) living in Sweden. The study focuses both on the worries expressed about the possibility of being lonely and on approaches to avoid loneliness. Even if the focus in the presentation is on loneliness, it is inevitable to address the correlate issue of social relationships. In the presentation, differences will be distinguished in regard to being both an older adult as well as an LGBTQ-individual to understand how these two categories affects the meaning of loneliness. The results indicate that LGBTQ elderly express views on loneliness that sometimes only refers mainly to one of these two categories. However, there are also examples when the two categories intersect and can be understood to reinforce each other and the feeling of loneliness. The presentation will contribute to the debate on the importance of nuancing the different meanings that can be attributed to loneliness. This can be of importance for understanding both the social context of older LGBTQ adults as well as older adults belonging to other minority groups.

There is increasing awareness in research about the social service needs of older LGBTQ adults. However, there are few studies that deal with differences in this community regarding elder care services. As a rule, transgender individuals are not included in these studies. This study focuses on how older Swedish LGBTQ adults reason about openness in an elder care context concerning their future needs for services and adopts Nancy Fraser’s theoretical framework of recognition. The material consists of fifteen semi-structured interviews with older LGBTQ adults. The results indicate that the main concern for older LGBTQ individuals is being accepted for their preferred sexual orientation and/or gender identity in elder care. However, there were differences regarding that concern in this LGBTQ group. There were also a variety of approaches in the group as to preferences for equal versus special treatment with respect to their LGBTQ identity. In addition, there were differences as to whether they prefer to live in LGBTQ housing or not. The findings contribute to existing knowledge by highlighting the diverse views on elder care services in both this group of interviewees and its subgroups. These findings emphasise the importance of the social work practice recognising different preferences and having an accepting approach. The results can further provide guidance on how to design elder care services for older LGBTQ adults.

Inom forskningen finns idag en ökad medvetenhet om HBTQ-äldres behov av äldreomsorgsinsatser. Få studier har hittills belyst skillnader inom gruppen gällande önskemål av framtida insatser från äldreomsorgen. I dessa studier är transpersoner ofta inte inkluderade. Föreliggande studie fokuserar på hur svenska äldre HBTQ-personer ser på öppenhet i ett framtida äldreomsorgsammanhang samt hur detta relaterar till önskningar om behov av insatser. Studien utgår från Nancy Frasers teoretiska resonemang om erkännande. Materialet består av femton semi-strukturerade intervjuer med HBTQ-äldre. Resultaten visar att de flesta äldre HBTQ-personerna vill bli accepterade för den egna sexuella läggningen och könsidentiteten/könsuttrycket i ett framtida äldreomsorgssammanhang. Hur denna önskan ser ut skilde sig dock åt inom HBTQ-gruppen. Det fanns också olika uppfattningar om man huvudsakligen föredrar likabehandling eller om man istället vill att särskild hänsyn ska tas till den egna HBTQ-identiteten. Även inställning till huruvida man föredrar att bo på ett HBTQ-boende eller inte delade gruppen av intervjuade. Resultaten bidrar till existerande forskning om äldre HBTQ-personer genom att synliggöra de skillnader som finns inom gruppen gällande inställning till att använda framtida äldreomsorgsinsatser. Vidare påvisar resultaten vikten av att det sociala arbetet har ett öppet och erkännande förhållningssätt för olika preferenser. Resultaten kan vidare bidra till vägledning kring hur man utformar äldreomsorgsinsatser för HBTQ-äldre.

Tolkande innehållsanalys är inte en ny metod. Den utvecklades som en specifik forskningsteknik under 1900-talet av sociologer och socialpsykologer som intresserade sig för att undersöka fenomenet kommunikation. Metoden användes också av pedagoger i studier av läroplaner och läroböcker för att identifiera fördomar och stereotyper om människor med till exempel olika födelseland eller funktionsvariation. Innehållsanalys associeras vanligtvis med den breda kategorin kvalitativa metoder och används på en rad olika texter, till exempel nedskrivna intervjuer, statliga utredningar, myndighetsrapporter, debatter i riksdagen och tidningsartiklar.

There is mounting evidence that Swedish elder care is unable to adequately address the unique needs of older lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) persons, and that social work research and services do not focus on individual variations within the LGTBQ-group. There are negative consequences for older LGBTQ individuals, including poor service utilization. Significantly, service utilization is associated with improved outcomes across the life course. Based on interviews with 15 participants living at home in Sweden, this qualitative study explores how older Swedish LGBTQ adults assess elder care alternatives for their future. Findings indicate that feeling accepted as individuals is essential, but that this did not necessarily mean being recognized as an LGBTQ individual. Feeling welcome individually transcended the need to be recognized as LGBTQ. Implications for social work include increasing cultural competence for work with diverse older adults, including LGBTQ persons, and advocating for person-centered care.

Research has shown that there is an increasing awareness that elder care is not addressing the unique needs of older LGBTQ, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons. Many LGTBQ people entering old age today have worse health and, to a lesser extent than other older groups, tends to seek help from health and social services. Few studies within gerontological social work have however focused on how older LGBTQ persons express their needs, and wishes of future social services. This presentation addresses this knowledge gap by focusing on how older LGBTQ reason about possible good alternatives to meet their needs when they are entering a phase where they need care. The study is based on a qualitative interview study with (n= 15), older LGBTQ persons in Sweden who live at home and where only two of them have had prior experiences of services. The analysis shows that, the overall most important issue for the older LGTBQ persons, was to be able to be open with their sexual orientation and/or gender identity within a future elder care setting. It was essential for the LGBTQ persons that the engagement of staff must be based on respect and that they should be able to meet every person as an individual. Regarding the issue of need for education and knowledge among staff about LGBTQ issues the interviewed expressed a wish that staff should have knowledge about these issues. For some it was important to be seen as an LGBTQ-person and to others it was mostly important being met in a welcoming and affirmative way, but not focusing too much on their LGBTQ-identity. The results provide support for the debate on the importance of addressing the unique needs of older LGTBQ persons and highlight the importance for social work to address the diversity of needs and wishes that is present within the group in regards to entering elder care.