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Despite some good practice in the field, we know older people from the LGBT community are fearful of the attitudes and potential prejudice of staff, other residents, and their family. Sometimes any sexual deviation from what is considered the “norm” gives rise to concern in dementia care home settings.
The need for intimacy by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender older people must be acknowledged and supported in residential care (Ward, Vass, Aggarwal, Garfield and Cybyk, 2005).
“There was one lady in the care home who did not have a partner, but we could tell she preferred women to men. Sometimes the care staff did find her trying to touch other women, which for some reason either provoked complete outrage or extreme amusement amongst the staff. Neither response was appropriate and it just served to remind me how much work we still needed to do on this issue.”
–Care home manager
An understanding and acknowledgement that some residents, their families, and some members of staff may be embarrassed, ignorant, nervous, or prejudiced against older people from the LGBT community. This could be linked, for example, to cultural norms or religious beliefs. Awareness-raising and education are essential to prevent possible discrimination or prejudice and challenge stereotypes
It could also be the case that while some residents may be perceived to be heterosexual and may have hidden their homosexual tendencies throughout or for periods of their life, as social controls weaken as a result of dementia, their homosexual feelings may emerge. So it is worth remembering that while understanding the sexuality of residents based on previous life practice is important, it is also wise to observe the sexuality people exhibit as they age.
We need to have an understanding and acknowledgement that some residents, their families, and some members of staff may be embarrassed, ignorant, nervous, or prejudiced against older people from the LGBT community. This could be linked, for example, to cultural norms or religious beliefs.
The onset of dementia means that private matters may suddenly become public. We need to remember that not all older people are the same and in future years there will be an increasing number of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender older people living in residential care.
There needs to be equality training for all care home managers and senior staff to familiarize themselves with the experiences and possible problems facing older people from the LGBT community. They should then review policies, procedures, and forms to ensure an inclusive and open environment for the full spectrum of sexualities.
On entry to a residential care home, older LGBT people may need particular support and reassurance. This group is more likely to have lived alone and so decisions regarding finances, for example, may bring staff immediately into contact with their partners
Sometimes any sexual deviation from what is considered the “norm” gives rise to concern in dementia care home settings. As a result, some of these older people choose not to disclose their sexual identity and assume heterosexual behavior within the home, having a detrimental effect on their well-being and quality of life.
