Improving the Lives of Transgender Older Adults: Recommendations for Policy and Practice

Transgender older adults face many challenges, such as the inability to access healthcare, disproportionate experiences of violence, high rates of HIV/AIDS, employment and housing discrimination, and other physical and mental health related issues. While there are policies and programs in place to help older populations cope with these issues, and help support their successful aging, there are significant social, economic, and service barriers preventing transgender elders from receiving the care that they need. This report includes a detailed literature review on the issues transgender elders face, profiles of the experiences of transgender elders around the country, and more than 60 concrete recommendations for policymakers and practitioners to help improve the lives of transgender older adults.