Ageing and Issues Facing Older LGBTI Australians

Ageing LGBTI Australians

Older LGBTI people are not all the same, there are generational differences within this diverse group. Those who grew up pre gay liberation have endured a lifetime of having been vilified as 'sinners' by the church, 'criminals' in law, and pathologised by medicine. Consequently, this group experiences ageing differently and has distinct needs compared to the baby boomer cohort which is now approaching retirement. After a number of decades of social progress, this cohort has lived openly as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or intersex. However, the current invisibility of LGBTI issues in government ageing policies and the aged care sector in general means that older LGBTI Australians do not now and will not in the future have access to adequate support and care to address their health and wellbeing needs. For many, getting older means an increased fear of being "outed" after a lifetime of avoiding disclosure, or a fear of being sent back into the closet to avoid facing discrimination at a particularly vulnerable time in their lives.

In addition, decades of economic disadvantage have been exacerbated by the 2009 changes to Centrelink entitlements for same-sex couples.

Older LGBTI Australians Are Not Recognised in Ageing Policy

While Australian governments recognise the importance of responding to the diversity of the aged population in order to successfully implement healthy ageing policies, no government policy acknowledges the existence of older gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or intersex people or the serious obstacles they face in sustaining a healthy and productive life as they age. The absence in service provider's assessment and documentation procedures for a category that encompasses LGBTI relationships, illustrates the structural lack of recognition of same-sex relationships within these services. A lack of government leadership has meant that LGBTI issues are largely absent from clinical and service practices, training and education, research and policy that relate to ageing in this country².

The Aged Care Act

The Aged Care Act 1997 (Cth) did not recognise same-sex relationships until its amendment under the Same-Sex Relationships Act 2008. That lack of recognition resulted in many older gay or lesbian people incurring significantly higher aged-care facility fees and costs associated with aged care than their heterosexual peers. Since 1 July 2009 older same-sex couples are able to spread their assets and exclude their family home from any asset and income tests, the same as opposite-sex couples. However, the past inequality has resulted in many older LGBT Australians being in a poor financial position.

Recognising the Needs of Ageing and Older LGBTI Australians

In ensuring that our society adequately addresses the needs of an ageing population, the Commonwealth must show leadership through the development of ageing policies and legislation that reflect the diversity of older Australians.

The following steps need to be taken:

recognition of LGBTI seniors as a 'special needs group' in aged care/seniors policy
further research into the health and wellbeing of LGBTI seniors
an increase in funding and support for programs and initiatives that address issues relating to older LGBTI people, particularly in the aged care sector and including
- dedicated LGBTI care packages (eg HACC, EACH, CACP)
- community-based information, assessment and case coordination services for LGBTI seniors
an audit of current policy and practices to eradicate discrimination against LGBTI people in aged care

Productivity Commission Inquiry into Aged Care

The Productivity Commission is currently undertaking an inquiry into Australia's aged care arrangements. The Alliance and several of our member organisations contributed submissions to the inquiry. (View or download the Alliance's submission to the Productivity Commission, July 2010)

On January 21st 2011 the Commission issued a draft report "Caring for Older Australians".

The report reflects the submissions from the Alliance and several of our members which outline the discrimination and exclusion that many LGBTI seniors face in aged care and calls for services to be flexible and appropriate.
In a special chapter on ‘Catering for diversity’ the report recognises that LGBTI people are not listed as special needs group in current legislation. A section specifically on LGBTI people (p 280-281) noted that submissions also indicated that "GLBTI seniors would like greater recognition of their sexuality and gender identity, and more culturally appropriate services in the aged care system through: a safe and inclusive environment; recognition and inclusion of partners in consultation and decision making; and ambience and sensitivity in decor and staff."
In addition to LGBTI awareness training among aged care services provides, the report calls for "further initiatives between DoHA and peak bodies to help create an aged care system that can better cater for and respond to the needs and preferences of GLBTI older people. Service providers have a special obligation to ensure both policies and practices acknowledge these needs and respond appropriately."
We are pleased to see the inclusion of LGBTI older people so significantly in this report. For too long the needs of our community elders have been ignored. The Alliance stands ready to work with government, our members and the aged care sector to improve services for LGBTI seniors and provide quality care and support for those in need.

Written feedback on the draft report is invited, to be received by Monday 21 March 2011. A number of public hearings will be held across the country in March and April. The Alliance will be participating in these consultations.

Visit the Commission's website for further information and a copy of the report.

Our Work

See our submissions to the Review of the Accreditation Process in Residential Aged Care, the Review of the Aged Care Complaints Investigations Scheme, August 2009 and the Productivity Commission, July 2010. We are currently setting up a working group on ageing.

We are in conversation with the federal Office for an Ageing Australia about initiatives to improve the health and wellbeing of LGBTI seniors.

Download an article on federal ageing policy: The Federal Zimmer Frame, in LOTL August 2010

Download a media release on ageing issued June 2010 and our media release on the Productivity Commission's report issued January 2011

Recent Studies

One of our members, the Matrix Guild of Victoria undertook research on the experiences of LGBTI seniors in aged-care services³

Another of our members, the Gay and Lesbian Retirement Association Inc (GRAI) conducted research on Western Australian retirement and residential aged care service providers' practices and attitudes towards older LGBTI clients in collaboration with Curtin University. Findings indicate an overwhelming lack of understanding of the unique needs of LGBTI seniors. They were used to inform development of best practice guidelines with the aim of providing more LGBTI-inclusive services. The report "We don't have any of those people here" and guidelines are being launched by the Ambassador for Ageing in July 2010.

The University of Queensland is funding a new study into the ways paid and unpaid workers come together to provide support to older lesbian and gay people. The University is seeking input from lesbian and gay people over 60 years of age, and their carers (find out more).

Duberman, M. B., Vicinus, M., & Chauncey, G. (Eds.) (1989). Hidden from History: Reclaiming the Gay and Lesbian Past. New York: Nal Books
Harrison, J. (2006) "Coming Out Ready or Not!", Gay and Lesbian Issues and Psychology Review, 2(2): 44
Barrett, C. (2008) My People: A Project Exploring the Experiences of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Seniors in Aged-Care Services, Matrix Guild Victoria