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Abstract
Background/aim: With an increasing number of ageing people who identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ), there is a risk that traditional housing for older people fails to meet the needs of these people. The aim of this study was to describe LGBTQ people’s needs, preferences, and concerns according to ageing and housing.
Materials and methods: Based on a survey (n = 487), and six focus-group discussions (n = 30), with LGBTQ persons, quantitative and qualitative approaches were used to analyse the findings.
Results: When comparing the ranking of preferences (in terms of activity options, environmental features, and staff competence) in a senior housing setting between the LGBTQ people (n = 200) and heterosexual matched controls (n = 198), only minor differences were detected. The findings from the focus groups included: (1) a dilemma between segregation and openness, (2) the importance of safety associated with ageing together with persons with similar experiences, and (3) networks of persons at different ages connected through close friendship supported participation in activities in LGBTQ-profiled senior housing.
Conclusion and significance: The findings provide knowledge to improve awareness of sexual orientation when it comes to needs and preferences in relation to ageing and housing in a Swedish context.
Keywords:
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank all participants in the project who generously shared their preferences and concerns in relation to ageing. The project was partly funded by the Swedish Institute of Assistive Technology: ‘Bo bra på äldre dar’.
Declaration of interest
The authors report no conflict of interests and are alone responsible for the content and writing of the paper.