Coming Out to Care: Caregivers of Gay and Lesbian Seniors in Canada

Citation Brotman, S., Ryan, B., Collins, S., Chamberland, L., Cormier, R., Julien, D., Meyer, M., Peterkin, A., & Richard, B. (2007). Coming out to care: Caregivers of gay and lesbian seniors in Canada. The Gerontologist, 47 (4), 490-503.

Design Exploratory research/personal interviews

Purpose This study explored the experiences of caregivers of gay and lesbian seniors living in the community and to identify issues that emerged from an exploration of access to and equity in health care services for these populations.

Participants Participants (N=17) were gay and lesbian caregivers of their partners or the children of gay and lesbian seniors

Procedure Personal interview focusing on 4 major areas: description of the caregiver role and relationship, experiences of access to health care on the part of gay and lesbian seniors and the impact of these experiences on the caregiver role and relationship, caregiver needs and issues, and areas for future change.

Outcomes Findings indicated several critical themes, including the impact of felt and anticipated discrimination, complex processes of coming out, the role of caregivers, self-identification as a caregiver, and support.

Author Brotman, S., Ryan, B., Collins, S., Chamberland, L., Cormier, R., Julien, D., Meyer, M., Peterkin, A., & Richard, B.