Organizers of a needs assessment for LGBT older adults have opened the next phase of their research and are seeking community input.
The Public Health Management Corporation is spearheading the study, which is meant to uncover broad health challenges faced by LGBT older adults in the area, encompassing everything from housing needs to emotional support.
In December, PHMC launched the survey, which is open through the end of January.
Heather Batson, PHMC research associate, said the scope of the survey is vast.
“The survey is about health and access to community resources that promote health and survival in older adults,” she said. “This means that the survey includes questions about traditional ‘health’ things, like health conditions and access to screenings, primary care and the quality of these experiences. However, due to our more holistic view of what influences health as people age, it also touches on access to food, recreation opportunities, senior-center programming and additional issues like these.”
The survey is open to LGBTs 55 and older who live in the Philadelphia area. It takes about 20 minutes to complete.
Participants can take the survey online, by mail or in person at a number of community partners. Those who turn in or complete the survey in person will receive $10.
The survey follows the initial research phase — three focus groups and 15 individual interviews.
Batson said the initial process uncovered that, while some LGBTs were successfully navigating older adulthood, many were grappling with challenges faced by the wider elder population.
“We saw that many LGBT older adults have figured out really creative ways to thrive being older, especially those who have a lot of kinship and friendship ties in both LGBT and other communities,” she said. “However, like many other older adults, concerns about health conditions, how to afford health care and, for some, isolation, were really serious issues.”
In addition to the survey, PHMC researchers will interview more subjects and could convene another focus group, Batson said.
Once data is collected, researchers will begin the analysis process, which will include comparisons to heterosexual older-adult populations through information available in PHMC’s Community Health Data Base Southeastern Pennsylvania Household Health Survey “to better understand if disparities in health conditions or access exist in Philadelphia, and what their exact nature is, if so,” Batson said.
To participate in the survey online, email [email protected] and wait for a response email containing a link or, for a paper version, call 215-985-6237.
Participants can also complete or drop off the paper copy of the survey Mondays from 1-4 p.m. at ASIAC, 340 N. 12th St., Suite 205; Mondays from 1-8 p.m. and Fridays 1-4 p.m. at The Colours Organization, 112 N. Broad St., third floor; Tuesdays from 1:30-4:30 p.m. at Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative, 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; Mondays-Fridays from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at SafeGuards, 1700 Market St., 18th floor; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St.; or Southwest Senior Center, 6916 Elmwood Ave., where appointments can be made by calling 215-937-1885.
Jen Colletta can be reached at [email protected].