Study: LGBT seniors face discrimination in care

Backing up anecdotal evidence of the discrimination many gay and lesbian seniors experience across North America, a new Canadian study has found that they do in fact face more difficulty in obtaining appropriate medical and other care than their heterosexual counterparts. According to the study, from McGill University in Montreal, one reason may be that they are fearful about seeking care, reports the CanWest News Service.

"There's a strong mistrust and fear of the system, and [gay and lesbian elders] are very hesitant to seek out services," Shari Brotman, a professor at McGill's school of social work, said at a news conference on Tuesday. She added that "in the absence of formalized training or a set of standards in caregiver organizations, it leaves it wide open for the caregivers' ignorance and prejudices to come shining through."

Among the troubling stories unearthed by the four-year study, based on 90 interviews with seniors, caregivers, and other providers in Vancouver, Montreal, and Halifax, are a caregiver who sought to "rid" a patient of homosexuality by imposing her religious beliefs and a doctor who was disgusted upon discovering his patient was gay.

Researchers also found that many LGBT seniors in Canada want to move to Montreal as they get older for its more liberal atmosphere. (The Advocate)

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