title: Notes from the Field: Developing a Support Group for Older Lesbian and Gay Community Members Who Have Lost a Partner.
abstract: While bereavement support groups have been shown to be helpful in assisting older adults with spousal loss, many lesbian and gay older adults would not be comfortable in these groups. Lack of recognition of same sex relationships and fear of judgment are barriers that some older lesbian and gay people face when considering these services. In this report we discuss a community-university collaboration to develop a support group for the older lesbian and gay community in our area. We share lessons we learned in developing and conducting a group for older lesbian and gay adults experiencing partner loss.
authors.affiliation: 1 Michigan State University School of Social Work , East Lansing, Michigan.
authors.forename: Anne K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.affiliation: 2 McLaren Homecare Group , Lansing, Michigan.
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Waters
authors.affiliation: 3 McLaren Homecare Group , Davison, Michigan.
authors.forename: Christie D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Herrick
authors.affiliation: 1 Michigan State University School of Social Work , East Lansing, Michigan.
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pelon
keywords: aging; cultural competence; disenfranchised grief; grief/loss; intimate partner