INSIGHTS INTO THE LIVES OF GAY OLDER MEN - A QUALITATIVE STUDY WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTITIONERS

This qualitative study provides descriptive data on the life experienc es of a group of gay older men living in Melbourne, Australia so that practitioners can better appreciate the social circumstances of these patients when presenting in their clinic. The data were collected usin g in-depth and focus-group interviews. The paper presents data about t he social support of gay older men, their experiences with discovering their homosexuality and views about HIV/AIDS and health matters. Impl ications are discussed as to how practitioners can better deliver thei r services to this population.