Creating a Healthcare Practice Welcoming to LGBT Seniors
Requirements
- Regardless of what you already know or don't know about the unique and varied needs of LGBT seniors, we recommend you start this 5 part course with a fresh perspective. Open up your willingess to learn and serve and put aside any anxiety you might have on this topic. Enjoy!
Description
If you work at a clinic, hospital, independent practice or long-term-care facility, a percentage of the seniors currently in your care are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, whether or not they have felt safe enough to tell you about it. The common health issues faced by all older people are compounded for LGBT seniors, for whom the legacy of secrecy, social isolation and discrimination can gravely impact their physical and mental health. In this course we assume the viewer knows nothing (although we know you each know SOME things) as that is the best way to teach this subject to all.
When LGBT seniors get the message that they are safe and welcome, they are more likely to access care, disclose relevant health and home information, and achieve more positive health outcomes. This course provides practical steps for both licensed and non-licensed professionals to better understand the needs of LGBT seniors, to practice more effective communication and to create a clinical environment that communicates a sense of safety and welcome.
The course includes four video segments (totaling 44 minutes) that covers LGBT history, first-hand stories from LGBT seniors, an overview of common health issues, terminology, communication strategies, dramatic scenes that demonstrate good communication, and a series of patient care best practices.
Who this course is for:
- This course is designed for physical or mental healthcare professionals who work in any capacity with seniors; those who run or serve within clinics, hospitals or private practices or who do social work. It can also be used by those who work within or manage residential senior facilities such as assisted living, continuum of care, and skilled nursing facilities.
Instructor
- 4.7 Instructor Rating
- 479 Reviews
- 3,558 Students
- 1 Course
Lavender Seniors of the East Bay began in 1994 by a small group of seniors increasingly concerned with a lack of services and legal protections for LGBT elders. Many of them had attempted to seek appropriate mental health care but given up; others only saw a doctor when it was an emergency and they had no other choice.In 1996 the American Medical Association made a public call to improve the education of health care personnel regarding best practices for improving care provided to LGBT patients. Thus, we developed an in-depth curriculum for care providers. It was fine-tuned over a decade, used to educate hundreds of providers across the San Francisco East Bay and is nationally recognized for its quality.These courses are our curriculum translated to the web.Over the years, Lavender Seniors has helped change the lives of thousands. We continue to serve through advocacy, education and peer supported activities. We have a 12 year old LGBT-specific Friendly Visitor program supported by the Alameda County Area Agency on Aging and we host monthly potlucks and discussion groups. We are highly inclusive and applaud all who seek to improve the quality of lives of LGBT Seniors