The Open Door Project Task Force: A Qualitative Study on LGBT Aging

Abstract

This paper reports formative qualitative findings from the Open Door Project (ODP), a unique program created by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Aging Project. Data were collected from Open Door Task Force members (N = 34). This includes 4 focus groups that were held with a total of 22 participants;and key informant interviews that were conducted with 12 participants from 10 different agencies. Findings revealed that agencies took significant steps to make important and long-lasting structural changes, including changing their diversity and personnel policies, and intake forms to be LGBT inclusive; implementing ongoing staff training initiatives on LGBT issues; and actively involving leadership, including senior managers, executive directors, vendors, and Councils on Aging, in helping to create and sustain organizational change. The ODP is an effective model to increase cultural competence in working with aging LGBT communities.

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

“…This was achieved through the development of policies and procedures that are inclusive of LGBT clients, caregivers and staff; development of staff practice skills to implement LGBT inclusive policies; and communicating with community partners, along with current and potential clients, that the organization has a sustained commitment to the inclusion of LGBT clients, caregivers, and staff. Landers, Mimiaga, and Krinsky (2010) conducted a qualitative study of Open Door in its earliest stages (2005)(2006)(2007) and reported that participating agencies made policy changes, implemented staff training, and began developing programs and outreach to LGBT older adults and caregivers. Most respondents indicated that their organization's commitment to, and participation in, Open Door yielded increased recognition and normalization of LGBT issues in their agencies.…”

“…In addition, Massachusetts's 2004 legalization of same-sex marriage, and subsequent legal appeals, brought LGBT issues to the general public's consciousness and the implications of marriage equality were considered in many arenas, including elder services. Some agencies incorporated Open Door's message of LGBT inclusion into their ongoing Downloaded by [University of Nebraska, Lincoln] at 06:21 05 April 2015 diversity efforts and others used it as a starting point for addressing inclusion of other less dominant populations they serve (Landers et al, 2010).…”

“…Landers et al (2010) conducted their qualitative study when participating agencies were part way through the Open Door training. To evaluate the long term impact of participation in Open Door, those agencies should be revisited to assess their current policies, training, programs and commitment to LGBT inclusion as well as their ability to report how many LGBT clients and caregivers they have engaged with since participating in Open Door.…”

A Social Work Practice Reflection on Issues Arising for LGBTI Older People Interfacing With Health and Residential Care: Rights, Decision Making and End-of-Life Care

“…This important early stage of intervention by health workers is a missed opportunity to support older LGBTI people when receiving aged and end-of-life care. Recommendations from the research have been made regarding educating health care workers towards the specific needs of older LGBTI people and to create non-heteronormative assessment processes for all older people interfacing with health care and end-of-life care (Hughes, 2009;Hughes & Kentlyn, 2011;Landers, Mimiaga & Krinsky, 2010;Stein et al, 2010). Hughes (2009) suggests that LGBTI specific posters and leaflets that are visible in health care settings would go some way towards creating a safe and inclusive environment for older LGBTI people and health care workers could be using more supportive and inclusive language during initial assessments.…”

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

“…29 Ongoing competency training for staff is essential. 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.…”