Publication Date
6-17-2026
Abstract
Autonomy is a vital element of quality of life in long-term care, especially for older Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender adults, who are at higher risk of requiring long-term care services and supports (LTCSS) in the future. Key risk factors include a lack of family of origin and a higher prevalence of chronic conditions and disabilities. Many older LGBT adults fear long-term care institutions for various reasons (i.e., fear of discrimination and mistreatment by administrators, staff, and other residents, and a need to be forced back into the closet). This paper applies Perkins et al.’s relational perspective to older LGBT adults in long-term care and aims to educate long-term care communities about the increase in this population to reduce invisibility and improve quality of life and care. The relational perspective offers a critical way for practitioners and soon-to-be practitioners to assess their communities and cultivate quality of care and life for older LGBT adults. An essential component of the relational perspective is the development of interventions at multiple levels to ensure that the often underserved population residing in long-term care receives the highest possible quality of care and life. Suggested interventions at the individual-, community-, and national- levels are explored and discussed.