Thus, older LGB adults become “twice hidden,” as their sexual expression represents the “most invisible of an already invisible minority” ( Blando, 2001, p. Indeed, in the older population, sexual issues have remained even more invisible among those who do not have a heterosexual sexual orientation, due to heterosexist presumptions and prejudices against the LGB community ( Grossman, D’Augelli, & O’Connell, 2001 ).
Such prejudices may have practical consequences, and some studies suggest that healthcare professionals tend to neglect the issue of sexuality when working with older people ( Taylor & Gosney, 2011 ), especially if the individuals concerned are lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB). These results call into question traditional ageist stereotypes that deny the importance of sexuality in older age and depict older people as lacking any kind of sexual interest or behavior ( Walz, 2002 ). Research on sexuality and older age has shown that sexual needs persist throughout the lifecycle, and that older people can express their sexual interests through many different sexual activities ( Lindau et al., 2007 Palacios-Cena et al., 2012 ) which, in turn, may benefit their health and well-being ( Weeks, 2002 ). LGB aging, Older LGB people, Long-term care, Residences
