Sexual Health Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Heterosexual Older Adults: An Exploratory Analysis.

Objectives: A significant gap in our knowledge concerns sexual health among the older lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) population.Methods: We compared a community-based sample of self-identified LGB older adults (n = 128) with population-based samples of behaviorally-defined LGB older adults (i.e., reporting same-sex experiences) (n = 112) and behaviorally-defined older heterosexuals (i.e., reporting no same-sex experiences) (n = 2,893) from the National Social Life, Health and Aging Project (NSHAP). Differences in sexual activity and sexual problems were examined.Results: Older LGB adults were as likely to remain sexually active as older heterosexuals. Gay and bisexual men were more likely than heterosexual men to report some sexual problems. Regardless of sexual orientation, older adults rarely had their sexual health needs addressed in healthcare settings.Conclusions: Results highlight the need for more research on LGB older adult sexual health.Clinical Implications: The lack of attention to LGB older adults' sexual health in healthcare settings may be exacerbated by ageism and heterosexism, leading these individuals to avoid disclosing their sexual orientations and avoid conversations about sexuality. Mental health practitioners require education on associations between sexual health and mental health, and how sexual health problems may contribute to mental health concerns in vulnerable populations like older LGB adults.

Aging gay male veterans: a community-based study on their health and psychosocial needs.

Lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons have served in the military throughout history despite military policies that necessitated concealment of their sexual orientation. This secondary data analysis of research from a community-based study of sexual and gender minority (SGM) older adults sought to explore the unique needs of this growing "out" population and identify the future program, policy, and research goals. The sampling population for this study was drawn from a community-based study conducted initially by researchers from the ACRIA center. The SGM veterans in this pilot study were recruited from the Center on Halstead, the largest SGM community-based center in the Midwest. Twenty-six veterans' self-identified as gay men. Considering the minority stress model, data from this study identified a group of men with less social support - either formal or informal, less housing and economic security, and low service utilization. Interestingly, this group also self-reported as having a more positive mental and physical health outlook than previous research with this population. This study also identified a clear need for education, more extensive population-based mixed methods studies to help understand fully the needs of this previously "invisible" population of older military veterans.

Correlates of Subjective Cognitive Decline in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Older Adults.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about subjective cognitive decline (SCD) in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) older adults. OBJECTIVES: To examine SCD and its association with dementia risk factors, other physical and psychosocial health factors in LGBT older adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of SCD was conducted with LGBT older adults, aged 50 and older (n = 210). SCD was categorized based on endorsement of memory problems and one other cognitive domain. Hierarchical logistic regression examined the associations between demographic factors, dementia risk factors, other health and psychosocial factors, and SCD. RESULTS: Nearly 25% of LGBT older adults were classified as having SCD. LGBT older adults who were people of color (OR = 2.5; 95% CI = 1.1- 7.8), depressed (OR = 2.9; 95% CI = 1.3- 6.9), or reported having functional impairment (OR = 2.6; 95% CI = 1.1- 6.5) were significantly more likely to be classified as having SCD (Nagelkerke pseudo R2 = 0.27). CONCLUSION: Depression and functional impairment should be considered when screening LGBT older adults for cognitive impairment and dementia. Future research on the cognitive impairment and dementia risk in LGBT older adults is needed.

PCR-mediated gene modification strategy for construction of fluorescent protein fusions in Candida parapsilosis.

Candida parapsilosis is a common cause of invasive candidiasis, especially in premature infants, even surpassing Candida albicans as the most frequently identified Candida species in some newborn intensive care units. Whereas many molecular tools are available to facilitate the study of C. albicans, relatively few have been developed for C. parapsilosis. In this study, we show that plasmids harbouring green, yellow and mCherry fluorescent protein sequences, previously developed for expression in C. albicans, can be used to construct fluorescent fusion proteins in C. parapsilosis by PCR-mediated gene modification. Further, the strategy can be used in clinical isolates of C. parapsilosis, which are typically prototrophic, because the plasmids include NAT1, a dominant selectable trait that confers resistance to the antibiotic nourseothricin. Overall, these tools will be useful to yeast researchers who require the ability to visualize C. parapsilosis directly, e.g. in in vitro and in vivo infection models. In addition, this strategy can be used to generate fluorescence in other C. parapsilosis clinical isolates and to tag sequences of interest for protein localization studies. Lastly, the ability to express up to three different fluorescent proteins will allow researchers to visualize and differentiate C. parapsilosis and/or C. albicans clinical isolates from each other in mixed infection models.

Social care networks and older LGBT adults: challenges for the future.

Research on service needs among older adults rarely addresses the special circumstances of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals, such as their reliance on friend-centered social networks or the experience of discrimination from service providers. Limited data suggests that older LGBT adults underutilize health and social services that are important in maintaining independence and quality of life. This study explored the social care networks of this population using a mixed-methods approach. Data were obtained from 210 LGBT older adults. The average age was 60 years, and 71% were men, 24% were women, and 5% were transgender or intersex. One-third was Black, and 62% were Caucasian. Quantitative assessments found high levels of morbidity and friend-centered support networks. Need for and use of services was frequently reported. Content analysis revealed unmet needs for basic supports, including housing, economic supports, and help with entitlements. Limited opportunities for socialization were strongly expressed, particularly among older lesbians. Implications for senior programs and policies are discussed.