Supporting Direct Care Workers in Caring for Aging Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Individuals

November 2010 | Direct Care Alliance

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“A strong solidarity often exists between direct care workers and [LGBT] individuals in the undervaluing that takes place culturally with re¬spect to their abilities, needs, and rights to be protected equally in the workplace and in civil life. However, direct care workers’ lack of training, empowerment and respect can negatively affect the quality of care they are able to provide to LGBT elders.”

This brief provides a succinct overview of the challenges that LGBT older adults face when attempting to access direct care services, and recommends concrete actions that lawmakers, administrators and direct care workers can take to effect permanent changes in public policies and attitudes that will improve long-term care for LGBT older adults. Read an introduction to this brief, written by Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) Executive Director Michael Adams, on the Direct Care Alliance blog.