Point de vue: attitude des professionnel·le·s

Se fondant sur les méthodes d{’}études critiques féministes et queer, cet article explore les perceptions qu{’}ont les infirmières et les infirmiers de leur pratique avec des patientes lesbiennes, gaies, bisexuelles, transgenres ou queer (LGBTQ). L{’}étude a comporté la réalisation d{’}entrevues en profondeur semi-structurées avec 12 membres de la profession infirmière à Halifax, en Nouvelle-Écosse. Ces entrevues ont permis de faire la lumière sur diverses approches en matière de pratique infirmière. Les participants ont le plus souvent soutenu que les différences comme l{’}orientation sexuelle et l{’}identité de genre ne font pas de différence : tout le monde devrait être traité comme une personne distincte. Les participants semblaient tenir beaucoup à éviter la discrimination ou la stéréo- typisation en tentant d{’}éviter les suppositions. Ils étaient soucieux de ne pas offenser les patientes par leur langage ou leurs gestes. Lorsqu{’}il était tenu compte des différences sociales, l{’}accent se limitait souvent à la santé sexuelle, bien que certains participants aient montré une compréhension nuancée de l{’}oppression et de la marginalisation. Faire la distinction entre les généralisations et les stéréotypes peut aider le personnel infirmier dans ses efforts pour recon- na{\^\i}tre les différences sociales sans faire de tort aux patientes LGBTQ.

It is estimated that there will be more than 5 million gays and lesbians aged 65 and over by 2030. This study examined attitudes of sexual orientation among a sample of certified nurse assistants who work in long-term care. A sample of 119 certified nurse assistants were recruited at a national con- ference and asked to complete a survey that included the Homophobic scale. Results indicate low levels of homophobia among the certified nurse assistants who participated.Age and acquaintances accounted for most of the variance in the homophobia scores of the certified nurse assistants. While scores show low levels of homophobia, caution is advised as scores may reflect a stereotype that elderly people are not sexually active and that their sexuality is no longer relevant.

An ongoing fear in the gay and lesbian community is that long-term care (LTC) facilities may not be sensitive to their needs. In the present study, 218 LTC staff members responded to one of three v…

The lesbian and gay population is largely invisible in the gerontological literature and in planning and provision of aging services. A recent survey of providers of aging services in a large midwestern metropolitan area provides insight into providers{’} beliefs, preparation, and experience with serving old lesbian and gay people. Few agencies that participated in the study provided services targeted to this population, and some agencies were unwilling to consider their unique needs. Participating agencies generally recognized a need for greater knowledge and specific training in working with aging lesbian and gay people. Providers diverged over whether separate services should be established for the old lesbian and gay population. Providers consistently expressed values of care, inclusiveness, sensitivity, respect, and provision of service to everyone. The study results provide direction for future training and research with providers of aging services.

This article examines the literature relating to the attitudes of nurses currently practicing in nursing homes towards caring for gay men and lesbians in Ireland. Nurses{’} knowledge of and attitudes towards the sexuality of those in their care can potentially have an impact on the quality of care they deliver and the patient experience.There is a consensus in the literature regarding the expression of sexuality as a lifelong need and integral element of quality of life. Research to date focusing on the needs of older gay or lesbian individuals has been virtually non-existent, despite increases in life expectancy and increasing numbers of older people, and therefore older gay and lesbian people requiring nursing home care.

The purpose of this article is to describe how heterosexism impedes the provision of culturally competent care for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) residents in long-term care (LTC) facilities. LTC facilities continue to employ staff members who lack an understanding of sexuality and sexual diversity in the elderly. In this article, we identify the heterosexual assumption, namely heterosexism, as the primary issue surrounding the holistic care of the LGBTQ elder in LTC. We first review the literature related to LGBTQ elders in LTC facilities, identifying the themes that emerged from the review, specifically the definitions of homophobia and heterosexism; perceptions of LGBTQ elders as they consider placement in LTC facilities; and staff knowledge of and biases toward sexuality and sexual diversity in LTC settings. Then, we suggest approaches for changing the culture of LTC to one in which LGBTQ elders feel safe and valued, and conclude by considering how facility leaders are in a unique position to enable LGBTQ elders to flourish in what may be their last home.

Mental health providers in LTC facilities would benefit from more training in LGBT-specific mental health problems and evidence-based treatments, and efforts to destigmatize LGBT identities in these settings might improve access to mental health care

Fifty-three staff members currently working in residential aged care facilities located in Barcelona, Spain, were asked about the way they would react if a resident told them that he or she felt sexually attracted and had maintained sexual relationships with another resident of the same gender. Acceptance of non-heterosexual sex- ual orientation was a frequent answer, and around one in four professionals stated that they would try helping the resident in question, by offering a private space or giving some emotional sup- port. However, some reactions were not consistent with a respectful approach toward sexual diversity, as, for instance, informing the resident{’}s family or advising the resident to keep his or her sexual orientation hidden. We highlight the importance of developing for- mal policies and offering formal training to staff in order to address the specific needs of older LGB people living in RACFs.

This paper is a conceptual discussion of the ways in which the diverse lives, identities and collective politics of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people can be made visible, and how they are made visible, in long-term care environments for older people. The purpose of this paper is to problematise strategies of visibility as methods for promoting social inclusion in care environments.,This is a conceptual discussion that draws on several social theorists that have previously discussed the politics of visibility, knowledge and sexuality.,Promoting increased visibility in itself does not fully grapple with the ways in which older LGB can be represented and known as particular kinds of sexual citizens. This potentially curtails a more holistic recognition of their needs, interests and wishes, inclusive of their sexual lives and histories. Making LGB lives visible in care environments may not always be a productive or affirmative strategy for dismantling homophobic views and beliefs.,The theoretical implications of a politics of visibility warrant a deeper consideration of strategies for promoting visibility. The paper concludes with a discussion of some of the practical implications for rethinking strategies of visibility in care environments.,Critical discussions about the application of visibility strategies, and the problematic assumptions contained within such strategies, are lacking in relation to mainstream housing and social care provision for older LGB people. This paper seeks to initiate this important discussion.

This paper centres on a neglected area of social work with older people{—}the social inclusion of older lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) adults in long-term care environments. The translation of equality law into the delivery of adult care services is a challenging endeavour for organisations, even more so in the morally-contested terrain of sexual wellbeing. In this paper we report findings from a mixed method study into the provision of long-term care for older adults who identify as LGB. Herein we present findings from a survey of care workers and managers (n=121) and from focus groups with equality and LGB stakeholder representatives (n=20) in Wales. Focussing on the current knowledge and understanding of staff, we suggest that affirmative beliefs and practices with sexual minorities are evident amongst care workers and managers, however the inclusion of LGB residents needs to be advanced systemically at structural, cultural and individual levels of provision. There is a need for enhancing awareness of the legacy of enduring discrimination for older LGB people, for cultural acceptance in care environments of older people{’}s sexual desires and relationships, and for a more explicit implementation of equality legislation. Social workers in adult care can advance this agenda.

This paper examines the ways in which older people{’}s residential and nursing homes can constitute heteronormative environments {–} social spaces in which the same-sex attractions and desires of residents are disregarded in the provision of everyday care. The aim of this discussion is to examine the synergies and differences between older lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) adults{’} expectations for future care home provision and the expectations of care staff and managers in providing residential services to older people with diverse sexual backgrounds. We present qualitative evidence from research into the provision of care environments in Wales. In this paper, we present findings from two cohorts: first, from five focus groups with care and nursing staff and managers; and second, from 29 semi-structured interviews with older LGB adults (50{–}76 years) residing in urban and rural locations across Wales. We argue that residential care environments can constitute heterosexualised spaces in which LGB identities are neglected in comparison to the needs and preferences of other residents. To this extent, we discuss how care staff and managers can be more attentive and responsive to the sexual biographies of all residents and argue against the separation of care and sexual orientation in practice.