You have to enable JavaScript in your browser's settings in order to use the eReader.
Or try downloading the content offline
Previous research has suggested that older trans and gender non-conforming (TGNC) people may face particular challenges related to stigma, social exclusion and discrimination in later life. However, direct data on social support and needs in older TGNC population both internationally and within the UK is limited due to the small, dispersed nature of this population, and the absence of specific data collection on aging TGNC populations. During the UK COVID-19 lockdown in summer 2020, older people and those with long-term health conditions were advised to adopt particular precautions.
This study aimed to explore older TGNC people’s social support networks, key concerns and unmet needs during the COVID-19 ‘lockdown’.
A UK cross-sectional survey of LGBT + people aged 60+ (n = 375) was undertaken during the lockdown. This paper analyses responses from the subset (n = 38) of TGNC participants.
The majority of TGNC respondents described diverse social networks, often centered around friends and non-kin social networks, although partners and adult children were also significant for some. In most cases, those with existing strong networks continued to maintain social connections during lockdown, albeit with some regrets about loss of activities and face-to-face connection. However, a minority of respondents had experienced greater challenges prior to lockdown, and may have been at increased vulnerability during the pandemic, for example indicating that they had no-one to call on for practical support in an emergency. When asked about unmet needs and challenges, social isolation was repeatedly raised as the most frequent concern. Several respondents also mentioned issues specifically affecting TGNC communities, including access to gender affirming care and a perceived rise in social intolerance.
Health and social care providers should be aware of the diversity of support networks within TGNC communities. There may also be benefits in community sector interventions to help older TGNC build and maintain strong social networks.
subtitles Table 1.
How old are you? [Select box]
How would you describe your
Do you consider that you have a disability? [Yes/No]
Do you have any significant health conditions? Yes/No.
Are you living alone or with others? [Alone/with others]
What are your top 3 concerns about how you are currently affected by Covid19? [Free text answer]
Do you have someone you can call upon in an emergency? [Y/N]
How are you getting essential food, household supplies and medication? [Free text answer]
What are your usual support networks? [Free text answer]
How are your support networks affected by mandatory isolation? [Free text answer]
How are you maintaining connections with your support networks? [Free text answer]
What challenges if any, are you experiencing in maintaining connections with your support networks? [Free text answer]
Have your support networks changed due to Covid-19 regulations? Yes/No.
What do you think about your PHYSICAL health and wellbeing during mandatory social isolation? [5-point Likert scale – lot better; slightly better; no difference; slightly worse; lot worse].
What do you think about your MENTAL health and wellbeing during mandatory social isolation? [5-point Likert scale – lot better; slightly better; no difference; slightly worse; lot worse].
Do you provide support to others? [Y/N]
What strategies are you using to cope with social isolation due to COVID-19? [Free text answer]
Do you think you have any unmet needs due to COVID-19? [Y/N]
Is there anything else you would like us to know and/or think we should address in relation to older LGBT + people and Covid-19? [Free text answer]
Questions in the COVID-19 and Older LGBT + People survey (Westwood et al., 2020).
subtitles Table 2.
TGNC responses to emergency contact question in the COVID -19 and Older LGBT + People survey (Westwood et. al., 2020).
subtitles Table 3.
TGNC responses to practical support question in the COVID -19 and Older LGBT + People survey (Westwood et. al., 2020).
subtitles Table 4.
TGNC participants’ social support networks according to responses in the COVID -19 and Older LGBT + People survey (Westwood et al., 2020).
subtitles Table 5.
TGNC and full sample responses to question about the impact of COVID-19 on their physical health, in the COVID -19 and Older LGBT + People survey (Westwood et al., 2020).
subtitles Table 6.
TGNC and full sample responses to question about the impact of COVID-19 on their mental health, in the COVID -19 and Older LGBT + People survey (Westwood et al., 2020).
subtitles Table 7.
Comparison of TGNC responses to questions about the impact of COVID-19 on their physical and mental health, in the COVID -19 and Older LGBT + People survey (Westwood et al., 2020).