This document summarizes a needs assessment of LGBT elders in Northeast Florida. It finds that while most LGBT elders are out, nearly half are concerned about discrimination and most feel socially isolated. Discrimination and lack of LGBT-sensitivity were also concerns in elder services. While most would use elder services with sensitivity training, many preferred LGBT-only support groups and facilities. Limitations included a non-random sample that was mostly white lesbians. The assessment emphasizes the need for sensitivity training and new LGBT-focused programs to better serve the needs of LGBT elders.

1. Assessing the Needs
of Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual, and
Transgender Elders in
Northeast Florida
Lynne Carroll  Tiffany Howard
Danielle Krusemark  Kai Puhl
Ma Tuason
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL

2. Research Goals
• The LGBT elderly face the
challenges of homo-, bi-, and
trans-phobia and
discrimination
(Jackson, Johnson, &
Roberts, 2008;
Johnson, Jackson, Arnette, &
Koffman, 2005; Knauer, 2009).
• They are often an invisible
minority, neglected when not
discriminated against in
society and academics.
•A first-of-its-kind LGBT elders’
needs assessment was
created to investigate
information on the perceptions
of life quality and available
social, health, and housing
services of LGBT elders in
Northeast Florida.

3. • Data collection began in
2012 and is ongoing.
• The 80-item survey is
available online and in
paper.
• The online survey was
advertised through LGBT
and elders organizations’
websites and e-mail
announcements.
Methods
• Paper versions and
stamped, addressed
envelopes were
distributed to LGBT
organizations and at
LGBT community events.

4. Sample Characteristics
GENDER
Respondents were 34%
female (n=38), 34% male
(n=38), 31% male-to-female
(n=35), 1% transgender
(n=1), and 1% queer (n=1).
RACE
Ninety percent described
themselves as Caucasian
(n=102), 5% as African-
American (n=6), 1% as
Hispanic/Latino(a) (n=1), and
4% as “other” (n=4).
SEXUAL ORIENTATION
Fifty-seven percent
identified as lesbians
(n=64), 29% identified as
gay males (n=33), 7%
identified as bisexual
females (n=8), 4% identified
as “other”, and 2% identified
as bisexual males (n=2).

5. Social Discrimination & Isolation
• Although the LGBT elderly
of northeast Florida are out
to an average of 76% of the
people in their lives, they
are at risk for discrimination
and isolation.
• Nearly half of respondents
(44%, n=48) were
concerned about having
others discriminate against
them based on their sexual
orientation and/or gender
identity.
• The majority (54%, n=59)
were concerned about
being socially isolated.
• Sixty percent (n=64) are
retired.
• Sixty percent (n=67) do not
have children.
• Thirty-two percent (n=37)
are single, widowed, or
divorced.
• Thirty-seven percent (n=40)
live alone.

7. Discrimination in Elder Services
• Seventy percent (n=73)
indicated that
nondiscrimination policies
that specifically include
sexual and gender
orientation and gender
expression were extremely
important.
• Seventy-five percent (n=80)
stated that
nonjudgmental/nondiscrimi
natory attitudes toward
LGBT elders in staff was
extremely important.

8. LGBT Sensitivity in Elder
Services
• Most (73%, n=79) would be
likely or very likely to use
existing senior services if
members received sensitivity
training.
• Seventy-two percent (n=76)
thought that usage of LGBT-
culturally appropriate language
on intake forms and records
was very or extremely
important.
• An overwhelming majority of 91%
(n=91,98) thought that LGBT
sensitivity workshops upon
employment and staff
knowledgeable about LGBT issues
were very or extremely important.
• Eighty-five percent (n=91) thought
that knowledge of LGBT medically
and culturally appropriate referrals
in staff was very or extremely
important.
• Seventy-one percent (n=76)
thought that the usage of LGBT
culturally appropriate language in
staff was very or extremely
important.

9. Safe Spaces of Their Own
• Most respondents desire services
that are LGBT-sensitive and free of
discrimination.
• Seventy-nine percent (n=85) of
respondents thought that a certain
percentage of health and service
programs specifically identified and
advertised for LGBT persons was
very or extremely important.
• More than half (54%, n=58) would
prefer LGBT-only support groups.
• Thirty-two percent (n=35) would
prefer LGBT-only retirement
homes.
• Twenty-nine percent (n=32) would
prefer LGBT-only adult day care.
• Twenty-seven percent (n=29)
would prefer LGBT-only nursing
homes and assisted living facilities.
• Twenty-six percent (n=28) would
prefer LGBT-only community-
based senior care centers.
• Twenty-four percent (n=26) would
prefer LGBT-only home health
care.

10. Limitations of the Study
SAMPLING
• Participants were a
haphazard convenience
sample.
• They were recruited via
the snowball technique
and word-of-mouth.
• Future studies should
attempt to obtain a more
random sample.
SAMPLE
CHARACTERISTICS
• The majority of our
sample were Caucasian
and lesbian.
• Future studies should
include more diverse
populations, perhaps
through stratified random
sampling.

11. Applications
• These results emphasize
the diverse needs and
concerns of the LGBT
elderly in Northeast
Florida, with implications
for those of LGBT elders
in other states.
• As the aging population
grows, the issues that
LGBT elders face will only
become more prominent.
• It is therefore imperative
that sensitivity policies
and training for elder
services staff are
established and expanded
to all areas.
• New programs, such as
LGBT-only support
groups, should be created
to fill the needs of LGBT
elders that present
programs neglect.

13. Taking Action
• Sociopolitical action from all areas is vital to
establishing a better environment for the LGBT elderly.
• Readers may get involved by working with or donating
to the following organizations:
Florida
• ElderSource
• LGBT Elders Task Force of Northeast Florida
National
• Local LGBT Centers
• National Council on Aging
• National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
• National Resource Center on LGBT Aging
• Services & Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, & Transgender
Elders

14. Acknowledgements
We would like to thank all of the respondents who took the time
and effort to participate in our research project.
We are also grateful to the LGBT Elders Task Force of
Northeast Florida and ElderSource for their invaluable help with
participant recruitment and financial aid.

15. Contact Information
• Lynne Carroll, Ph.D.
lcarroll@unf.edu
• Tiffany Howard
n00668124@ospreys.unf.edu
• Danielle Krusemark
n00840657@ospreys.unf.edu
• Kai Puhl
n00819524@ospreys.unf.edu