Do LGBT Aging Trainings Effectuate Positive Change in Mainstream Elder Service Providers?

Abstract

This study aims to provide empirical evidence regarding whether attitudes, beliefs, and intentions of elder-service providers can be positively affected as a result of attending cultural competency training on the unique challenges of sexual and gender minorities. Stigmatization throughout the lifespan may have a causal influence on barriers to care, social isolation, and concomitant health disparities. Data were collected for this study at 4 Massachusetts training events to pilot a cultural competency workshop on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) aging for mainstream elder service providers. This quasi-experimental study included the analysis of pre- and posttest surveys completed by the service-provider attendees (N = 76). The analytic strategy included descriptive statistics, paired t tests, chi-square analyses, and repeated measures analyses of variance. Findings revealed statistically significant improvement in numerous aspects of providers' knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral intentions subsequent to the training sessions. These included (p = .000) awareness of LGBT resources, policy disparities, spousal benefits for same-sex couples, and the intention to challenge homophobic remarks. This study concludes that mainstream elder-service provider training on LGBT aging issues results in positive change. Recommendations include long-term follow up of participants, the inception of agency-level surveys to appraise institutional culture change, and increased curriculum on transgender older adults.

Idosos LGBT que Vivem em Instituições de Cuidados: Desafios e Barreiras para a Manutenção dos Direitos Sexuais

“…Debido a esto, su implicación nos parece esencial para que la diversidad sexual dentro de las residencias sea contemplada y se respeten los derechos de los residentes LGBT, eliminado cualquier vestigio de actitudes prejuiciosas o práctica discriminaría tanto en los profesionales como en entre los residentes (Hillman, 2017). Así, son ellos los primeros responsables de asegurar unos cuidados de alta calidad y respetuosos con los derechos de los residentes (Donaldson & Vacha-Haase, 2016;Porter & Krinsky, 2014).…”

Les enjeux de santé mentale chez les aînés gais et lesbiennes

“…Il ressort de recherches américaines que les programmes de formation sur les expériences de vie et les besoins des aînés gais et lesbiennes offerts dans les organisations publiques de santé ont des impacts positifs sur le développement des compétences culturelles des praticiens, en favorisant une meilleure compréhension des disparités en matière de santé, une connaissance des ressources LGBT et l'adoption de comportements préconisant des environnements respectueux et inclusifs pour les aînés non hétérosexuels (Hardacker, Rubinstein, Hotton et Houlberg, 2014 ;Porter et Krinsky, 2014). Jacobs et Kane (2012) proposent plusieurs recommandations pour améliorer la formation des intervenants auprès des hommes gais et bisexuels aînés.…”

Hospice and Palliative Care for Older Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Adults: The Effect of History, Discrimination, Health Disparities and Legal Issues on Addressing Service Needs

“…40 One study found that providing LGBT aging sensitivity training to service providers resulted in positive change at least in the short term. 41 A first step in developing sensitivity and understanding is exploring one's own homophobic or heterosexist biases. 19,25 Hospice and palliative care organizations can learn from the policies and practices of LGBT organizations such as Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE).…”