Perspectives on the Final Stages of Life from LGBT Elders Living in Ontario

Commissioned by the Law Commission of Ontario iv June 2016 Perspectives on the Final Stages of Life from LGBT Elders Living in Ontario positive primary care supports, heteronormative assumptions across the health and social care continuum, and a distinct lack of education and training resulting in systems and services that are not culturally competent and do not meet the needs of LGBT older adults [...] Furthermore, the project informs the scholarly debate on the human rights of sexual minorities and gender nonconforming individuals in older age and in the last stage of life. [...] Recent data collected in Ottawa, Ontario also highlights some of the challenges faced by the older LGBT community, including social isolation and the increased likelihood of living alone.8 These data indicate that 58% of respondents planned to avoid admission to long-term care due to concerns such as lack of trust and fear of discrimination. [...] C. Historical Context Aligned with the life-course theoretical perspective, Fredriksen-Goldsen and Muraco emphasize the need to document the historical context of older LGBT individuals as a critical component of understanding their lived experiences.13 In Canada, the 1980's saw the rise of the AIDS epidemic and further perpetuated stigma among LGBT individuals, especially gay men. [...] In a review of the literature on the palliative and end-of-life care needs of LGBT individuals, Griebling points out that sexuality is a core component of our experience as humans and deserves to be included in palliative care settings.22 Declining health and the presence of terminal illness that accompanies end-of-life often has negative impacts on sexual functioning.