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Month: June 2023

How to Support an LGBTQIA+ Senior

Posted on by admin

The LGBTQIA+ senior community is expected to grow in the coming years. Older people who identify as LGBTQIA+ face unique challenges, which can make it difficult to feel a sense of security and belonging.

Being informed will help you to become a better ally to your older LGBTQIA+ loved ones.

We hope these tips can help you to be a supportive ally of your LGBTQIA+ parent, grandparent, or older loved one.

 

Create a welcoming environment

Your support is the easiest and best thing you can offer an LGBTQIA+ loved one.

To create a welcoming environment:

  • Don’t make jokes or laugh
  • Use a gentle tone of voice
  • Be sensitive to their lived experiences
  • Don’t say “I always thought you were…”
  • Be mindful of facial expressions and reactions
  • Don’t demand information or ask intrusive questions.

 

Be informed about their challenges

Older LGBTQIA+ folks have faced a lifetime of evolving laws, legislation, and societal views regarding their identity. In Australia, these individuals have experienced both obstacles and milestones on the journey towards achieving equal human rights.

LGBTQIA+ rights groups have been active in Australia since the 1960s. Did you know that homosexuality was classified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a disease until 1990? Did you know that openly gay individuals were banned from serving in the Australian military until 1992?

You can learn more about Australia’s history of LGBTQIA+ rights here.

 

Let them know it’s okay to ask for help

Substantial data shows that LGBTQIA+ Australians experience both abuse and mental health problems at overwhelmingly high rates. Over 60% report experiencing depression. Over 38% report feeling abused by a family member, and over 41% report feeling abused by a partner.

Let your older loved one know that there are safe support services designed with their unique needs in mind. You can offer to accompany them or drive them to any appointments or meetings.

 

Help them access safe, inclusive services

Your older loved one may not realise that there are services whose goal is to protect LGBTQIA+ seniors from loneliness, social isolation, and elder abuse.

“LGBTQIA+ elders may draw upon their years of experience of the dangers of coming out, and perhaps choose isolation and loneliness over risk of abuse.”
-Claire Allen, AIDS Council of New South Wales

Australia’s LOVE Project offers a list of ageing services that are inclusive and safe for LGBTQIA+ seniors.

You may also be able to identify if a service is inclusive by looking for representative imagery, words, and marketing.

 

Help them find safe aged care options

Due to discrimination and needs often not being met by service providers, the Australian government has identified LGBTQIA+ seniors as having special needs for aged care.

LGBTQIA+ seniors may experience obstacles such as pressure to hide their identity, or having no way to disclose their identity.

Australia is the first country which has developed a National LGBTI Ageing and Aged Care strategy, which aims for all seniors to have the same opportunities in aged care. You can learn more about finding inclusive aged care in Queensland on the MyAgedCare government website.

The Silver Rainbow Project provides further education on meeting the needs of seniors who identify as LGBTQIA+.

 

Our Rainbow Program supports the mental health and wellbeing of individuals who are gender and/or sexuality diverse.

If you or an older person you know is experiencing or at risk of elder abuse, our Elder Abuse Prevention and Support Service (EAPSS) is here to help. We can help you explore your concerns and possible solutions in a safe, supportive environment that prioritises the wellbeing of the older person.

You can learn more about EAPSS here, or by calling 1300 063 232.

 

Want to receive updates on our Senior Relationship Services blog posts?

 

 

How to Find Your Tribe

Posted on by admin

Social connection is one of our most important human needs. It’s in our DNA, just like our need for food and water. 

Studies show that healthy relationships not only increase our self-esteem and our ability to cope in stressful situations, but they’re also a major protective factor against many mental and physical illnesses. 

Experts advise that the key is to find deep and meaningful relationships, as too many shallow interactions can leave you feeling lonely and misunderstood. 

But it’s not always easy to find people you truly connect with. It can take some self-reflection and vulnerability to form these fulfilling friendships and feel like you’ve found your tribe in life. 

Here are our 5 tips to find your tribe and enjoy the benefits of these close human connections. 

 

Get to know yourself 

How can you surround yourself with likeminded people if you don’t know yourself? 

It’s normal to be influenced by peers throughout adolescence and early adulthood. It can take some time – and intentional effort – to discover your own likes, dislikes, and opinions as you grow. 

If your goal is to find people you deeply connect with, spend some time reflecting on who you are deep down. Identify your core values, your passions, and the kind of support you want from the people around you. 

Counselling is a great way to support your journey to self-discovery. You can learn about our counselling service here. 

 

Engage in your hobbies 

Create opportunities to meet people who share your interests by engaging in hobbies and activities outside of the home. 

Whether it’s active, creative, musical, or academic, there are endless social clubs, classes, and groups you can join. 

These can create a comfortable environment to interact with new people as they can facilitate conversation around the task at hand, reducing the pressure to find topics for small talk. 

 

Volunteer for a cause 

Volunteering for a cause you care about is another great way to meet people you have things in common with. 

The issues and causes we’re passionate about can be a strong foundation for a fulfilling friendship, and chances are you’ll find other things to bond over too. 

This could be especially valuable if the cause, or humanitarianism in general, are a significant part of your identity. 

 

Let go of shallow connections 

Did you know that shallow relationships can make you feel lonely? 

Experts have found that you don’t need to be alone to experience loneliness – it can arise from not feeling seen, understood, or validated in your friendships. 

“It can come from spending time with people who don’t share your values or interests. It can also come from too many superficial interactions and not enough deeper connections,” explains Kasley Killam, a social scientist who specialises in social health, connection, and loneliness. 

If this sounds familiar, it might be time to take a step back from surface-level friendships and focus your energy on the ones that are deep and fulfilling. 

If you’re feeling disconnected and are struggling to engage with friends like you used to, you might find this blog post helpful: Why do I feel disconnected from everyone? | Relationships Australia QLD (raq.org.au) 

 

Get comfortable opening up 

If you crave deeper connections, it’s important to be vulnerable and willing to open up yourself. 

Close friendships take an investment in emotion as well as time. If you want to connect with your friends beyond having a laugh together, it’s time to dig deeper and share some more personal details. 

For example, you might like to ask their advice on a problem you’re having, or share your dreams and goals for the future. 

Diving into these more intimate topics can build trust and deepen your bond. 

 

If you need help strengthening your relationships or building the confidence to find new ones, our counsellors can help. 

You can learn more about our counselling service_here, or call_1300 364 277_to book an appointment.