Final answer:
Older lesbians often practice selective disclosure in settings such as long-term care due to privacy and safety concerns, and studies show they have higher rates of disability and depression with less support compared to heterosexual peers. Historical adversity for the LGBTQ community has impacted current attitudes and experiences of aging among lesbians. The legal and societal landscapes continue to affect their well-being and identity management.
Step-by-step explanation:
The experiences of older lesbians regarding sexuality and aging present a multifaceted picture. Studies such as Jenkins et al. (2010) suggest a level of selective disclosure among lesbian older adults in long-term care facilities, due to a sense of vulnerability—where only 22 percent of LGBTQ older adults expect to be open about their sexual orientation or gender identity in such settings. Contrastingly, a report by Fredriksen-Goldsen et al. (2011) indicates that LGBTQ older adults have higher rates of disability and depression and are less likely to have supportive networks compared to their heterosexual peers, possibly contributing to feelings of isolation.
The historical context, provided from the late nineteenth century to the 1950s, illustrates past adverse conditions for LGBTQ individuals, which might have shaped the behaviors and attitudes of lesbians currently in older age. The current socio-political landscape for LGBTQ seniors remains complex, as they navigate the aging process with added challenges such as managing identity disclosure and lacking legal recognition of partnerships in some states. Meanwhile, societal attitudes toward single women put different pressures on them, potentially affecting their wellbeing in various ways as they age (Roberts 2007).