Older LGBTQ+ Adults
In addition to typical aging concerns, older LGBTQ+ adults frequently encounter these two issues related to their identities, negatively impacting their mental well-being.
What are stigma and discrimination?
This is the total number of dimensions included in the wellness model adapted by SAMHSA and discussed in the article.
What is 8?
This core principle of an affirmative approach views LGBTQ+ identities in non-pathological ways and as healthy expressions of human diversity.
What is non-pathological viewing (or affirming identities)?
An emotional wellness intervention suggested is writing a letter to one's younger self, noting the courage needed during this process. What is the name for this type of intervention?
What is a self-compassion intervention?
Compared to their cisgender heterosexual peers, older LGBTQ+ individuals experience disproportionately high rates of these mental health conditions.
What is depression and anxiety?
This dimension of wellness involves regulating one's emotions, flexibly expressing feelings, and finding ways to live more fully both independently and connected to others.
What is emotional wellness?
During the assessment process, affirming counselors must continually maintain awareness of how the wellness dimensions interconnect and are impacted by these client factors.
What are clients' contextual factors (e.g., sexual orientation, gender identity, age)?
Intersecting identities.
For environmental wellness, counselors might encourage older LGBTQ+ clients to spend time outdoors or connect them to Meetup groups that engage in these types of activities.
What are outdoor and community-related activities?
What are some potential psychosocial risk factors for older LGBTQ+ adults?
What are social alienation, loneliness, and isolation?
Being surrounded by an adaptive environment that supports wellness, including access to fresh air and natural light, comprises this dimension.
What is intersectionality?
What is a concept that recognizes that clients' identities are intertwined with societal privilege and oppression due to other overlapping identities.
Attending an LGBTQ+ chorus or learning to play a musical instrument are examples of activities that can stimulate this dimension of wellness.
What is intellectual wellness?
This specific sub-group within the older LGBTQ+ community faces significantly increased mental health risks, often due to limited social supports and increased internalized shame.
Who are older transgender adults?
This federal agency adapted the eight dimensions of wellness model for its wellness initiative.
What is SAMHSA?
Why must interventions for older LGBTQ+ adults be framed within cultural and historical contexts?
What is they allow for the client to feel affirmed, understood, and allows the counselor to adequately help them.
For many older LGBTQ+ adults, this term refers to individuals they consider family who are not biological relatives, and counselors should clarify and involve them in treatment.
What is "family of choice"?