“I Should Not Have to Teach My Providers”: Identifying Challenges Associated with LGBTQ Aging

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals are living longer but facing increased barriers to access to care. To understand this discrepancy, we conducted a multi-phase needs assessment on the needs of LGBTQ older adults. Six hundred seventy-two individuals participated in the survey, which included six open-ended questions. Using thematic analysis, our findings point to critical challenges in healthcare access, including locating affirming and affordable providers, accessing social support, the availability of housing, and accessing legal services. Addressing these challenges requires gerontologists to engage in activities to remove barriers to care and generate innovative solutions to reduce health disparities.