Dignity 2024 Looks at Lived Experience of LGBTQ+ Adults 45+

Dignity 2024, the latest report in the LGBTQ+ Dignity series, increases our understanding of the lived experience of LGBTQ+ adults age 45-plus in the areas of health care access, caregiving, isolation, and relationships.

Intimate partnership patterns differ by sexual orientation and gender identity.

We have learned thus far that older LGBTQ+ respondents are very concerned about having enough social supports as they age. Moreover, intimate partnership patterns differ by orientation and gender identity, which has been consistent across the Dignity Series. For example, lesbian women in the Dignity 2024 survey are significantly more likely to live with a partner (61%) and be married (49%) than gay men, bisexual+ individuals, or those who identify as transgender or nonbinary.

A sizable number of LGBTQ+ respondents are currently providing or have provided caregiving in the past.

Nearly six in ten (58%) respondents are currently or have previously provided care for a loved one. While caregiving brings a great sense of joy to many, several challenges exist for all caregivers; most often, feeling stressed emotionally (78%). LGBTQ+ respondents who are caregivers also have difficulty doing the things they need to do to take care of themselves such as getting enough rest (61%), exercising (60%), maintaining a healthy diet (50%), or going to see their own doctors (28%). Some LGBTQ+ caregivers also feel obligated to care for someone who is not accepting of their identity (14%).

While many respondents are in good health, a majority take prescription medication and social isolation remains an issue among LGBTQ+ respondents.

While survey respondents generally report being in good health and most report having a regular health care professional and report they can access health care in their communities, some misalignment appears with other data. For example, more than 85% of respondents take prescription medications, 45% also report having a disability or chronic disease, and 47% report that the disability or chronic illness keeps them from fully participating in work, household, or other activities.

Moreover, 88% are concerned about their brain health declining in the future. In addition, three in ten report that they have not sought medical treatment in the past when they needed it and another quarter (23%) say they have experienced a problem with the quality of care they have received. About half (48%) of LGBTQ+ respondents express feelings of social isolation.

Bisexual+ and transgender/nonbinary (TGNB) respondents have different health outcomes and experiences than gay and lesbian respondents.

One in three bisexual+ or TGNB respondents rate their physical health as fair or poor. This is significantly more than lesbian women (24%) or gay men (21%). Those who identify as TGNB are also significantly more likely (55%) than other LGBTQ+ groups to have a chronic disease or disability. Among those with a disability, bisexual+ individuals rank highest for having a physical disability (66%), despite being the youngest LGBTQ+ cohort.

LGBTQ+ respondents are concerned about the quality of health care.

Quality of health care is also a concern. Three in ten respondents report instances when they did not seek medical care, and about one-quarter report ever having a problem with the quality of health care they received. Most often the negative experience was centered on the health care provider not listening to the respondent. Moreover, 38% of TGNB have had negative experiences related to their gender identity, such as being misgendered.

Most respondents, however, can access health care in their communities and have a regular provider that they trust.

Most promising is that many respondents (86%) reported that they can access health care services in their community. Bisexual+ (86%) and TGNB respondents (81%), though, are less likely to have access than lesbian women or gay men (both 91%). Additionally, the majority of those who do have a regular provider tend to trust them (84%), including TGNB and bisexual+ individuals. More than eight in ten feel comfortable discussing medical issues with their provider, feel that the health care office is a safe space, and that their provider explains things in a way that they can understand.

Methodology

The purpose of this study is to increase the understanding of the lived experience of LGBTQ+ adults age 45-plus in the areas of health care access, caregiving, isolation, and relationships. Community Marketing & Insights (CMI) fielded a United States national survey focused on LGBTQ community members living in the United States. The online survey was ten minutes in length, with an incentive of a chance to win one of twenty $100 e-card prizes. The study was fielded from April 17, 2024 to April 30, 2024.

Participants: A total of 2,212 LGBTQ community members participated in the survey, which included 1,013 cisgender gay and bi+ men, 868 cisgender lesbian and bi+ women, and 331 transgender and nonbinary participants. The study intentionally oversampled Asian, Black, Latino/a/x, and transgender/nonbinary participants. The sample represented from all 50 states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico.

For more information, please contact Cassandra Burton at ccantave@aarp.org. For media inquiries, please contact External Relations at media@aarp.org.