Developing Inclusive Health and Social Care Policies for Older LGBT Citizens

Creating anti-oppressive practices in service provision that successfully remove barriers to the social inclusion of older lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgendered (LGBT) citizens has proven thus far tremendously difficult. The White Paper Better Care, Higher Standards: A Charter for Long Term Care, (Department of Health, 1999) addresses the development of non-discriminatory services that treat users with dignity and respect, taking account of sexual orientation (Department of Health, 1999, p.3). Such government social policy holds out the hope that services will be designed to support senior LGBT people. This paper examines the unique oppression and marginalization faced by older lesbian, gay men, bisexual and transgendered citizens in homophobic and ageist societies, which often fail to acknowledge their existence. The research findings highlight strategies being created through social policy that aim to successfully achieve the inclusion of this group in the planning and delivery of their services.