1. I’m Coming Out in Support of LGBT Residents
Presented by
Joseph Rodrigues &
Sherrill Wayland
Copyright ©2018, SAGE, All Rights Reserved 1

2. Plan for today Discuss challenges faced by LGBT residents
Learn of tools to assist residents including LGBT residents with documenting their personal choices for quality living
Gain skills to advocate for LGBT resident - person directed care.

3. What We Know
Many LGBT older adults lack traditional caregiving supports
Many report shrinking social networks
Concern with coming out in health settings
Continued fear of stigma and discrimination

4. Concerns
And lgbt older adults

5. Stigma, Discrimination, Abuse & Neglect5
Stigma, Discrimination, Abuse & Neglect

6. LGBT Older Adults Are… Twice as likely to be single6
LGBT Older Adults Are…
Twice as likely to be single
3-4 times less likely to have children
Frequently estranged from families of origin
2010 Map report, 2014 Out & Visible

7. Circles of Support for LGBT Residents
Acquaintance
Community
Influence/
Professional
Intimate
Self
Who is in YOUR Circle
Acquaintance – neighbors, volunteers, co-workers
Community – social groups, support groups, sports and social clubs, church/spiritual groups
Influence – doctor, attorney, social worker, financial planner, etc.
Intimate – spouse/significant other, current and past lovers, families of choice and biological families 7

8. My Personal Directions for Quality Living
Adapted in 2018 with a cultural lens inclusive of LGBT residents to include:
Pronoun and name usage
Describe dress and daily grooming routines
Describe life history
Document important cultural traditions, celebrations and spiritually
Discuss important relationships beyond next of kin.
WzZk

9. Resident Rights & LGBT People
Free from Abuse
Right to Privacy
Receive Visitors
Participate in Activities
Participate in Care
Be Fully Informed
Choice
Remain in home

10. What does the Ombudsman representative need to do in this situation
What does the Ombudsman representative need to do in this situation? What Resident Rights Should be Considered?
Juanita lives at Colonial Acres Continuing Care Retirement Community.  She has lived in independent living for three years, moving into assisted living two years ago.  Her health has continued to decline and about a month ago, she moved into a semi-private room in the skilled nursing facility.  Recently, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer.  Juanita is seeking palliative and hospice care.  Because of her pain medications, she is in and out of consciousness.
Your Ombudsman program receives an anonymous complaint about an unrelated male and female sharing a room.  The caller works at the facility and demands the two be separated.  She is going to call Licensing as well.  You go out to investigate the complaint.  You visit the room mentioned in the complaint and finds two female residents.  Confused, you run into the Director of Nursing and Administrator outside the room and disclose that you received a complaint about an unrelated male and female sharing a room, but you are at a loss to identify the residents.   At this point, the Administrator asks you to come to his office, so you can discuss.
The Administrator discloses to you that that Juanita identifies as transgender and lives as a woman. Residents and staff in independent living and assisted living were aware of this, as well as Juanita’s roommate in the skilled nursing facility.  He suspects the complaint was from an employee assigned to care for Juanita, read information in her medical record, and was uncomfortable providing care to Juanita.

11. Thank you Joseph Rodrigues Joseph.Rodrigues@aging.ca.gov
Sherrill Wayland