Visibility Matters
Aging without Ageism
By Sarah Bahnson , LGBTQI+ Community Liaison
On-going events: Registration is required for attendance - soazseniorpride.org GBTQI+ Mens Loss Group ; weekly on Tuesday; 1:30–3pm; in-person Gayme Day; second Wednesday; 1–3pm; in-person like dementia, or any condition that causes visible and troubling declines may lead friends or chosen family to withdraw from contact, not wanting to witness their loved one’s decline. Some report they just don’t want to “see them like that,” thus, creating further isolation and distress. It, therefore, becomes critical These outcomes exacerbate experiences of social isolation and depression. LGBTQI+ older adults may also fear and/ or experience negative reactions about their expressions of desire and intimacy from staff or peers. It is important for aging care staff to receive training in fostering sex-positive environments for the older adults they serve. Creating a positive space to express intimacy includes: 1) Space and privacy for care recipients to express their sexuality 2) Clear guidelines for staff to identify and assess sexual assault/abuse 3) Expressed expectations around consent 4) Educated staff that understand sexual orientation and sexual behavior are separate, and may not always align Additionally, ageism is present within the LGBTQI+ community. Difficult diagnoses,
Aging with Pride
So. AZ Senior Pride celebrating, supporting and uniting LGBTQI+ older adults (520) 312-8923; info@soazseniorpride. org ; soazseniorpride.org All in-person, indoor events require masks. adults feeling dissuaded from seeking out intimacy and sexual relationships, and/or LGBTQI+ people feeling unsafe sharing their sexual orientation or gender identity. Stereotypes that equate sexual desire with youth create a perception that de- sexualizes older adults. However, aging does not diminish desire for human intimacy and the full range of human experience, including sex. When care providers carry the belief that older adults are not sexual beings, negative outcomes are inevitable. Adverse outcomes may include an increase in sexually transmitted infections in aging care spaces, older “Aging Unbound,” is this year’s Older Americans Month theme, establishing an opportunity to examine diverse aging experiences and the impact of ageism on health and wellness. Like gender expression or race, age is one of the first things we notice about other people. Unfortunately, it is also one of many mechanisms used to categorize and advantage or disadvantage people— compounding adverse experiences already present in LGBTQI+ communities. While there are many ageist stereotypes uniquely impacting LGBTQI+ older adults, two will be highlighted here.
Book Club ; third Wednesday; 2–3:30pm; on Zoom Gathering in Himmel Park ; third Saturday; 10–11:30am; in-person Walk and Roll - Enjoy an outdoor activity with friendly people; third Tuesday; time will vary; in-person There are more events each month. Stay tuned in on the website. to support LGBTQI+ older adults and caregivers who experience social isolation with connections in safe and supported environments. Southern Arizona Senior Pride (soazseniorpride.org) and PCOA host social events that provide opportunities for LGBTQI+ older adults and caregivers to meaningfully connect. Senior Pride is the hub for activities and support for LGBTQI+ older adults, with book clubs, gaming events, and meet-ups in Tucson’s gorgeous parks, as well as direct services like grief support and advance care planning help to provide LGBTQI+ older adults the services needed to combat social isolation. Likewise, PCOA hosts Café at the Katie, which is an inclusive Memory Café welcoming people living with dementia and their caregivers. It is a safe space to meet other people living with dementia and enjoy music, art, drag, and more. Café at the Katie occurs on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month from 10 —11 AM. To learn more about our Memory Café’s visit Memory Cafés – Pima Council on Aging (pcoa.org) or contact Nicole Thomas at (520) 790- 7573 x1739 or nthomas@pcoa.org.
Page 24 | May 2023, Never Too Late
Pima Council on Aging
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