Session Description

Introduction: The aging population in the United States (U.S.) is growing faster and becoming more diverse. As of 2017, it is estimated there are 2.7 million Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Trans* (LGBT) adults over the age of 50 and 1.1 million who are 65 years and older (Fredriksen-Goldsen & Kim, 2017). As for specifically the trans* individuals, there is an estimated prevalence of 0.5 percent of older adults (65 years and older) in the U.S. identifying as trans* (Flores et al., 2016). By 2030, these estimates are expected to more than double. Despite the growth of the population, aging trans* adults continue to be understudied and marginalized. Healthy People 2020 (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2012), has identified the LGBT population as a health priority and outlined goals to improve their health, safety, and well-being. There is a significant lack of research on aging trans* adults or evidence of targeted interventions to effectively address their health, safety, and wellbeing. The aging trans* population has significant health disparities that could be improved through developing their resilience (ability to bounce back from negative experiences or difficult challenges). There are currently existing therapeutic interventions such as recreation therapy interventions that have the potential to improve older adults’ resilience, that could be assessed in the aging trans* population.

Learning Outcomes

1.Upon completion of the session, participants will be able to identify 4 constructs of the HEPM framework that apply to the development of RT interventions
2.Upon completion of the session, participants will be able to identify 3 existing findings on the trans* aging population and health outcomes
3.Upon completion of the session, participants will be able to 3 existing RT interventions that can improve health outcomes of trans* aging population that align with the HEPM framework