Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender aging adults educational guidelines to create community of care within long-term care organizations
Year: 2011
Type: report
Abstract: More than 5% of the 65 and older population utilize nursing homes, congregate care, assisted living, and board-and-care homes, with about 4.2% of these individuals occupying nursing homes at any given time (Administration on Aging, 2008).The rate of nursing home use generally increases with age and studies have shown that by the year 2030, the number of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) adults over the age of 65 is expected to be nearly 3 million (SAGE, 2010).With this overall increase in potential resident populations, those aging adults who identify as LGBT are faced with additional unique challenges commonly not encountered by their heterosexual counterparts.The majority of LGBT elders fear they will experience discrimination in long-term care organizations, with more than half maintaining that staff or even other residents will abuse or neglect them (Knochel, et al., 2010).Unrevised long-term care organizational rules combined with prejudice and hostile treatment from staff members can create unwelcoming environments for LGBT elders who are generally unable to advocate for themselves.Challenges that aging LGBT adults face in long-term care settings will be reviewed and discussed in this report.In addition, this report will provide educational guidelines to assist long-term care organizations in developing an educational model targeted at addressing LGBT elders' concerns.When staff within a long-term care community lack proper training on and understanding of LGBT concerns, it can negatively affect the quality of care provided to these members.As such, the educational guidelines will encourage an educational model incorporating cultural competency training among the long-term care staff and organizational leadership, and will utilize community development principles to ensure inclusiveness and increase social capital. Chapter 1 -IntroductionAccording to the Administration on Aging (2008), slightly over 5% of the 65 and older population utilize nursing homes, congregate care, assisted living, and board-andcare homes, with about 4.2% occupying nursing homes at any given time.The rate of nursing home use generally increases with age, ranging from 1.4% of the youngest to 24.5% of the oldest-old (Administration on Aging, 2008).In addition, studies indicate that almost 50% of those 95 and older live in nursing homes throughout the country.Given these statistics, the probability of aging adults requiring assistance through formal resources such as long-term care organizations is highly probable (Knochel, et al., 2010).Current research indicates that by the year 2030, the number of LGBT adults over the age of 65 is expected reach nearly 3 million (SAGE, 2010).It is therefore evident that an increased number of LGBT elders will be among the populations living in long-term care communities in the coming years.Older adults often face new challenges as they age, including various health issues, physical mobility constraints, financial difficulties, cognitive impairments, feelings of abandonment and isolation, and ageism.Current literature indicates the challenges encountered by aging lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender adults in longterm care communities are similar to those of other elders, and with additional lifestyle concerns included which further complicates their standards of care.Factors such as discrimination, social stigmas and prejudices can prove detrimental to the safety and security of these members and often isolates LGBT elders from accessing community resources and services.In addition, fear of abuse and neglect from staff, hostile living
Author: Quigley, Jake
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2275970230