Long-term Care Events in the Context of Family of Choice and Using the Example of LGBT People in Need of Care – Importance of Social Networks in Long-term Care

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Ralf Lottmann
• Subject Area: Empirical Social Research
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 452175518

Against a background of demographic change, a higher incidence of childlessness and single-households this research project focuses on the accomplishment of long-term care arrangements in the context of family of choice/non-kin carers. The significance of family of choice networks in long-term care settings will be analysed from the perspective of older lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people in need of care and by drawing on theoretical assumptions of social capital theory. Whereas older heterosexual people turn mostly to their children, partner and/or other rela-tives in order to receive support in old age, anglo-american studies have shown that family of choice connections are important for LGBT people in old age. Compared with 85% percent of older heterosexual women, only 15% of older lesbian women report having at least one child. Older LGBT people are also more likely to be single and to live alone in later life than their hetero-sexual peers. Therefore, friends can be seen as the ‘backbone’ of the social support network for LGBT elders. However, based on a recent study by the University of Surrey, it is questionable whether family of choice is able to compensate for the lack of support from family of origin/kin-related care experienced by older LGBT people. It is unclear whether trust, solidarity and norms of reciprocity work similarly for LGBT social relationships as with heterosexual relationships and how social capital applies in relation to LGBT care needs and relationships with non-kin carers/friends. This research project aims to gain further insight into how family of choice connections support long-term care requirements and decision-making through the analysis of care services. It will analyse closer relationships (‘strong-ties’) and less intimate connections with lower feelings of reciprocity (‘weak-ties’) with respect to care needs and family of choice. Theoretical assumptions of Social Capital Theory will be discussed in relation to care service infrastructures and future care provision not only for LGBT people but more generally.The study aims will be addressed in two work-packages, employing an innovative combination of two methods: a qualitative study with interviews with older LGBT and heterosexual people in need of care and their carers (A) will form the main empirical component of this research project, which is supplemented by a network analysis (B), which intends a comparative, partially standardized investigation of network sectors, reciprocities and key persons.Due to existing desiderata in Nursing Science and Gerontology related to family of choice con-texts new scientific findings of this research project are most likely and an international focus is necessary.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants