Assessing the needs of older gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people: a service-learning and agency partnership approach.
A county agency and a social work research class partnered to conduct a state-mandated needs assessment of older gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people (GLBT). A survey design with purposive sampling of GLBT people over 60 yielded 38 participants. Findings included that the Internet was a viable means to reach this population and student awareness increased. Areas of greatest unmet need were GLBT-oriented/friendly legal advice, social events, grief and loss counseling, social workers, and assisted living. Some participants perceived existing senior services as unfriendly or hostile to GLBT persons. Recommendations include continued use of service-learning research and expanded needs assessment efforts.
Smith
Laurie A
LA
Department of Social Work, California State University, San Bernardino, San Bernardino, California 92407, USA. lasmith@csusb.edu
McCaslin
Rosemary
R
Chang
Janet
J
Martinez
Paulina
P
McGrew
Paula
P
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001727:Bisexuality; D019058:Community Networks; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D018452:Homosexuality, Female; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D012947:Social Work; D014189:Transsexualism