Notes from the Field: Developing a Support Group for Older Lesbian and Gay Community Members Who Have Lost a Partner

Abstract

While bereavement support groups have been shown to be helpful in assisting older adults with spousal loss, many lesbian and gay older adults would not be comfortable in these groups. Lack of recognition of same sex relationships and fear of judgment are barriers that some older lesbian and gay people face when considering these services. In this report we discuss a community-university collaboration to develop a support group for the older lesbian and gay community in our area. We share lessons we learned in developing and conducting a group for older lesbian and gay adults experiencing partner loss.

Keywords: aging; cultural competence; disenfranchised grief; grief/loss; intimate partner.