Planning for Future Care Needs: Experiences of Unmarried Heterosexual and Sexual Minority Women

Abstract

This study examined the experiences of legally unmarried, middle-aged and older sexual minority (e.g., lesbian, bisexual) and heterosexual women in planning for future care needs and long-term assistance. A total of 215 women (90 sexual minority women and 125 heterosexual women) 41–78 years of age completed a survey about long-term care planning strategies, including: (1) executing a will; (2) naming a health care proxy; (3) purchasing long-term care insurance; and (4) discussing potential living arrangements with at least one family member. Overall, 18.5% of women reported completing zero of the strategies, and 3.4% reported completing all four. Over half (59%) had completed at least two strategies. Women were most likely to have executed a will (68%) and named a health care proxy (61%). Both sexual minority women and heterosexual women were most likely to have talked to a family member of choice, rather than a biological family member about living with them if they were unable to care for themselves. Currently, serving as a health care proxy was an important correlate for having made long-term care plans and was particularly important for sexual minority women. Women who are not in traditional marriage relationships tend to adopt long-term care planning strategies that legally clarify and establish the nature of their important relationships.

KEYWORDS:

• aging
• long-term care
• women's health
• homosexuality

Notes

Support for this research was provided by the Lesbian Health Fund and the National Cancer Institute, K07-CA87070 to Melissa A. Clark, PhD. The authors wish to thank Gene Armstrong, and Frances Saadeh, for their help in conducting the study, as well as the participants who took the time to participate in this study.

***p < .001;

**p < .01;

*p < .05.