Applied Scholarship in LGBTQ Aging: Implications for Policy and Practice

Abstract Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) elders have shown considerable strength while aging in a society predicated on heteronormative and binary expectations for gender and sexuality. The life trajectories of LGBTQ older adults are shaped by discrimination and stigmatization, and the embodied resistance that comes with demanding their full participation and recognition in society. This symposium highlights the innovative scholarship of emerging scholars in the field of LGBTQ aging who are engaging in diverse substantive and methodological investigations. The first study takes a comparative cohort approach to explore differences in stressors and depressive symptomatology between younger and older sexual minorities, highlighting the significance of cohort effects among LGBTQ people. The second paper uses data from the Health and Retirement Study to examine anticipated nursing home placement needs between LGB and heterosexual adults with suggestions to better prepare aging service networks. The third describes the influence of state legislature mandating LGBTQ-sensitivity training by examining differences in provider baseline knowledge and attitudes toward LGBTQ older adults in two states, one mandating LGBTQ-sensitivity training and one not. The final paper highlights findings from a multi-methods study that explores how long-term care workers, managers, and administrators respond when staff, visitors, or residents challenge LGBTQ rights for religious and moral reasons. Although substantively and methodologically varied, these studies all demonstrate the importance of applied scholarship that builds knowledge in support of policies and practices that promote equity among LGBTQ individuals across the life course. Rainbow Research Group Interest Group Sponsored Symposium.


A PILOT STUDY USING THE LIFE SPACE ASSESSMENT AMONG COMMUNITY-DWELLING OLDER ADULTS IN IRELAND Tadhg Stapleton, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
Forty older adults (27, 67.5% female), mean age 74.3 years (range 65-89), current drivers 31 (77.5%), 23 (57.5%) rural dwellers and 17 (42.5%) urban dwellers participated in the survey. Median LSA score was 74 (range 27-102). All participants were readily accessing life spaces within and immediately outside their own home. Over half (n=23, 57.5%) accessed spaces in their neighbourhood on a daily basis. Decreased frequency of access to spaces outside of local neighbourhood and town was noted. No significant difference in LSA scores between genders (P=0.549), current driving status (P=0.235), but urban dwellers had significantly higher LSA scores than rural dwellers (P=0.024). Spearman correlations found statistically significant negative correlation between age and LSA scores (rho= -0.445, P=0.004), and significant positive correlation between LSA and Euroqol (EQ) VAS scores (rho=0.405, P=0.010). Findings are limited by the small sample size but highlight decreasing frequency of wider community participation with increasing age.

COMPARISON OF USA AND AUSTRALIAN MOBILITY DEVICE USERS' AND AMBULANT BUS USERS' VIEWS OF RESTRAINTS ON PUBLIC BUSES Carolyn Unsworth, Central Queensland University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Many older people use powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters to access the community on buses but have increased injury risk if the mobility device tips or slides. Wheelchair tie-down and occupant restraint systems (WTORS) are mandated on USA transit buses, and their introduction investigated in Australia. This study examined the views of mobility device and ambulant bus users in the USA and Australia on WTORS. A Qualtrics survey with 448 respondents showed strong support for WTORS use and found the most important factors underpinning use were Safety, Comfort, and Transit time. US research indicates dwell time while fitting WTORS is 4 minutes, and participants reported 5.65(SD3.06) minutes is acceptable. There was no difference in USA and Australian participants who have slid or tipped in their device, despite being restrained in the USA: X2(1,n=220)=.053,p=.53, phi-.016). This research suggests all bus users are supportive of WTORs, but their effectiveness requires investigation. For older adults to "age in place", they need to keep engaged and mobile in their communities, whatever their health condition. The impact of age and cognitive decline on community mobility is a growing problem in Europe and worldwide. Engaging in occupations outside home implies being able to get to those places where activities are performed. Yet little is known regarding the types of places visited, maintained or abandoned for older adults with/ without dementia. This study addresses community mobility needs through the places people visit, maintain or abandon. People with and without dementia, aged 55+, were interviewed using the Participation in ACTivities and Places OUTside the Home (ACT-OUT) questionnaire across Switzerland (n=70), Sweden (n=69) and the UK (n=128). Results show that people with dementia experience a higher rate of abandonment for more places than regular older adults. Insights about driving cessation and access to travel passes will be presented.

APPLIED SCHOLARSHIP IN LGBTQ AGING: IMPLICATIONS FOR POLICY AND PRACTICE
Chair: Austin Oswald Discussant: Vanessa Fabbre Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) elders have shown considerable strength while aging in a society predicated on heteronormative and binary expectations for gender and sexuality. The life trajectories of LGBTQ older adults are shaped by discrimination and stigmatization, and the embodied resistance that comes with demanding their full participation and recognition in society. This symposium highlights the innovative scholarship of emerging scholars in the field of LGBTQ aging who are engaging in diverse substantive and methodological investigations. The first study takes a comparative cohort approach to explore differences in stressors and depressive symptomatology between younger and older sexual minorities, highlighting the significance of cohort effects among LGBTQ people. The second paper uses data from the Health and Retirement Study to examine anticipated nursing home placement needs between LGB and heterosexual adults with suggestions to better prepare aging service networks. The third describes the influence of state legislature mandating LGBTQ-sensitivity training by examining differences in provider baseline knowledge and attitudes toward LGBTQ older adults in two states, one mandating LGBTQ-sensitivity training and one not. The final paper highlights findings from a multi-methods study that explores how long-term care workers, managers, and administrators respond when staff, visitors, or residents challenge LGBTQ rights for religious and moral reasons. Although substantively and methodologically varied, these studies all demonstrate the importance of applied scholarship that builds knowledge in support of policies and practices that promote equity among LGBTQ individuals across the life course. Rainbow Research Group Interest Group Sponsored Symposium.

EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF STATE POLICY INTERVENTIONS FOR LGBT AGING: COMPARATIVE CASE STUDY OF NEW YORK AND CALIFORNIA
Austin Oswald, 1 Nancy Giunta, 2 Tim Johnston, 3 and Sherrill Wayland, 4 1. The Graduate Center, City University of New York,Long Island City,New York,United States,2. Silberman School of Social Work,Hunter College,New York,New York,United States,3. sAGE,New York,New York,United States,4. SAGE,New York,New York,United States The majority of aging network service providers are unprepared to deliver targeted services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) older adults. In 2017, California legislature mandated ongoing LGBT sensitivity training for congregate living providers. Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) developed a specialized training, Creating Inclusive Communities, for congregate living staff to learn the unique needs of LGBT elders. This secondary data analysis compared pre-test knowledge and attitudes of training participants in two states, one mandating LGBT aging sensitivity training (California, N=328) and one without the mandate (New York, N=622). Preliminary results show that prior to receiving training, California participants demonstrate significantly less knowledge of LGBT aging issues compared to New York participants; t(948)=-3.808, p<.001. Attitudinal differences were also demonstrated. These results suggest that laws mandating LGBT sensitivity training may help reach providers with greater training needs. Policy and practice implications will be discussed. Part of a symposium sponsored by Rainbow Research Group Interest Group.

WHY AGE MATTERS: THE IMPORTANCE OF HISTORICAL CONTEXT IN THE STUDY OF MINORITY STRESS IN SEXUAL MINORITIES
Michael Vale, 1 and Toni Bisconti, 2 1. University of Akron,Akron,Ohio,United States,2. Univesity of Akron,Akron,Ohio,United States Currently, there is support that links experiences of stigma/discrimination, known as minority stress, with depressive symptomatology in older sexual minorities (OSM). Yet, the context of cohort is ignored, despite OSM having been exposed to greater stigma across their lifetime. The current project explores how cohort informs the minority stress process by comparing three minority stressors and their relationships with depressive symptomatology across a younger (18-39, N=129) and older sample (40-80, N=104). It was found that OSM had significantly less overall stress, had different significant links between each stressor and depressive symptomatology, and significantly used social support to buffer stress contrasting their younger counterparts. These results highlight the need to consider cohort and discover why OSM are more resilient to minority stress. Considering the role of cohort improves aging and minority stress theories, is useful for professionals improving well-being in OSM, and informs our understanding of the lived experiences of OSM. Part of a symposium sponsored by Rainbow Research Group Interest Group. This study compares LGB and heterosexual adults on anticipated need for future nursing home (NH) placement and factors that influence NH placement. Using data from the 2016 HRS, we found a trend toward higher anticipated NH placement among LGB adults (M=34.0, SD=29.2) as compared to heterosexual adults (M=26.9, SD=27.3; p=0.05). Compared with LGB respondents (n=137), heterosexual adults (n=3,469) were more likely to have living child/children (37% vs. 82%, p<.001). Although there was no statistical difference in marital status between LGB (50% married/partnered) and heterosexual adults (65% married/partnered; p=.06), married/partnered LGB respondents were more likely to be very/quite close to their spouse/partner (99% vs. 90%, p<0.01) compared to heterosexual respondents. There was no difference in number of health conditions between groups. This study suggests that LGB adults may have higher rates of anticipated need for NH, thus NHs must ensure their workforce is educated and prepared to support this growing population. Part of a symposium sponsored by Rainbow Research Group Interest Group.