Many lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) adults encounter significant barriers when accessing the Australian aged care system.
After a lifetime of facing unwelcoming and non-inclusive services, past discrimination can make them reluctant to seek care and receive the support they need.
The social isolation experienced by many older Australians is even more significant for older LGBTI people due to factors such as rejection by biological family and lower rates of having children.
LGBTI people often rely on informal social support structures, including what is sometimes referred to as a ‘family of choice’. Some supports may have broken down due to death or illness, and their family of choice may not be recognised by care services.
When older LGBTI people seek care, it can be an isolating experience. They can be less inclined to disclose personal information to staff and other residents due to fear of discrimination. Aged care providers do not always understand their needs and there are few LGBTI-specific services available.
Considering the importance of their unique social support systems, providing ways for LGBTI people to sustain connection to their communities is a core component of culturally safe and appropriate aged care for LGBTI people.
The Aged Care Quality Standards and Charter of Aged Care Rights (requirement 3a) states that “everyone receiving government-funded aged care is entitled to be treated with dignity and respect, and to have their identity, culture, and diversity valued.” It’s important to provide care that is truly inclusive to ensure that older LGBTI people are supported in an environment where their diversity is recognised and valued.
Become a Verified Provider
Recent initiatives aimed at addressing issues faced by special needs groups in aged care include the Australian Government’s Specialisation Verification Framework, developed to ensure older people with diverse backgrounds and life experiences can access more reliable information when choosing aged care providers.
The framework allows aged care providers to demonstrate and develop their inclusive services, while also helping older people identify verified providers on My Aged Care that offer specialised care for people with diverse backgrounds.
It was developed in response to recommendations by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety that providers must validate claims of expertise in supporting special needs populations, with nine special needs groups or focus populations recognised in the framework and listed in the Aged Care Act, including LGBTI older people.
Unfortunately, there has been limited uptake of this initiative in the sector for LGBTI specialisation. While there is certainly training fatigue that comes with evolving industry requirements, obtaining a specialist verification in delivering care to LGBTI older people is crucial to high-quality service provision.
For organisations working to be more inclusive of diverse communities, they can now apply to independently verify their services against the My Aged Care Provider Specialisation Verification Framework. Find out more here: health.gov.au/topics/aged-care/ providing-aged-care-services/reporting/specialisationverification-framework
Get the Right Training
Take steps towards providing safer and more culturally appropriate care by completing LGBTIQ+ Health Australia’s Silver Rainbow Training to learn how to better support LGBTI older people.
Through this project, LGBTIQ+ Health Australia educates service providers, policymakers, LGBTI people and the general community about how to meet the needs of LGBTI older people.
Help create a more inclusive and respectful aged care environment and drive positive change for greater respect and inclusion.
Together we are working to ensure aged care services are inclusive of diverse sexual orientations, relationships, genders and bodies, of older Australians.
Access the training here: lgbtiqhealth.org.au/silver-rainbowtraining
Other Ways to Provide Inclusive Care
For providers interested in providing a more culturally safe and inclusive environment but unsure where to begin, LGBTIQ+ Health Australia has compiled the following ‘top tips’.
- Contact local LGBTI community organisations for diversity and inclusion training. Many of LGBTIQ+ Health Australia’s full members provide training and professional development in working with older LGBTI people in their local regions throughout Australia. Find local training providers here: lgbtiqhealth.org.au/member_training_courses
- Use inclusive language. Words can make a world of difference in ensuring LGBTI older people feel safe and included in aged care. For example, ask if they would like to be referred to with certain pronouns or ask about their ‘partner’ instead of assuming they have a husband or wife.
- Foster ongoing connections. Recognise the unique informal support networks in LGBTI communities and foster ongoing connections with their family of choice, communities and people who are important to them.
- Respect privacy. If an older LGBTI person confides in you, ensure you ask their permission before sharing their information with others, such as patients, residents or staff members.
Nicky Bath, Chief Executive Officer, LGBTIQ+ Health Australia lgbtiqhealth.org.au/silver-rainbow-training