«Those in their 80s and 90s were forced to endure an era where homosexuality was considered both a mental illness and criminal,» Froelich says. «And for those in long-term health facilities, things may only get worse.»
Elder gays and lesbians are often forced to revert to living closeted lives again in their last years in order to avoid ridicule and sub-standard care in institutional settings.
«By the time they enter a nursing home, they really need a tremendous amount of assistance,» Lisa Krinsky, who directs a pioneering LGBT aging project in Boston, tells Froelich. «So the fear that those (places) may not be respectful, may not attend to you in a timely manner or (may) downright mistreat or abuse you is a fear that many older LGBT folks have.»
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