“Quite Frankly, I Have Doubts About Remaining”: Aging-In-Place and Health Care Access for Rural Midlife and Older Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Individuals

Abstract

ABSTRACT Midlife and older adults prefer to stay in their communities as they age. The ability to age-in-place is affected by physical health status, along with access to services and social support. Few previous studies have included the experiences of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) midlife and older adults living in rural communities and their concerns about aging-in-place. This study used a qualitative approach to explore health care service utilization and support networks of 20 midlife and older LGB participants over the age of 40 who live in rural communities. Themes emerging from this study included transportation difficulties, lack of choices for care, affordability of care, and the lack of connection and sense of belonging to a community. Unique issues faced by LGB adults, such as isolation and the lack of informal support, make obstacles to aging-in-place for LGB adults living in rural communities particularly more difficult to overcome. Future studies are needed to gain a better understanding...