%0 Journal Article %J Journal of Applied Gerontology %D 2022 %T Functional Limitations and Access to Long-Term Services and Supports Among Sexual Minority Older Adults. %A Travers, Jasmine L %A Shippee, Tetyana P %A Flatt, Jason D %A Caceres, Billy A %K Functional limitations %K long-term support %K sexual identity %K sexual minorities %X

Little is known about sexual minority (SM) older adults' activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) limitations and their subsequent access to long-term services and supports (LTSS). We analyzed cross-sectional data from the 2016 Health and Retirement Study limited to individuals ≥50 years old. Bivariate analyses were performed to examine 1) sexual identity differences in the prevalence of ADL/IADL limitations and 2) associations of sexual identity with having ADL/IADL limitations and having access to help with ADL/IADL limitations. Our sample consisted of 3833 older adults, 6% ( = 213) were SM. Compared to heterosexual participants, bisexual older adults had greater reports of ADL/IADL limitations (20.9% vs. 35.9%, = 0.013). Among those who reported having ADL/IADL limitations ( = 803), there were no sexual identity differences in accessing help for ADL/IADL limitations ( = .901). Our findings contribute to the limited research on LTSS access among SM older adults.

%B Journal of Applied Gerontology %V 41 %P 2056-2062 %G eng %N 9 %R 10.1177/07334648221099006