The world is facing rapid population aging. This is associated with an increase in the number of older people from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex, or asexual (LGBTQIA+) community. This population faces unique challenges, including ageism, sexual identity stigma, and self-stigma. The older LGBTQIA+ population are neglected by, and invisible to, healthcare interventions, research, and policy changes. In light of the paradigm shift in healthcare towards a rights-based approach, healthy aging has become an important construct. Healthy aging, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), is a “continuous process of optimizing opportunities to maintain and improve physical and mental health, autonomy, and quality of life throughout the life course”. This commentary highlights the unique vulnerabilities of the aging LGBTQIA+ population, advocates the inclusion of their voices at all levels of the healthcare system, and discusses the way forward to enable their ‘healthy aging’.

To describe the nursing care provided in adult psychiatric services in a city in Portugal, from the perspective of the exercise of human rights. Methods: Eighty hours of indirect observation of nursing care provided in four psychiatric services for adults. Data were registered in a field diary and underwent thematic analysis. Results: The following thematic units were identified: reception of patients at admission; nursing care plan; family approach; and, strategies for social insertion developed by nurses. In general, nurses valued preventive, educational, social and care dimensions when providing care, but patients' families were not included in the therapeutic process. Conclusions: Care practices were based on sensitivity towards patients with mental illness and their condition, which demonstrated respect for human rights in all of the services.

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