It’s More than just a Pride Month in Senior Care Communities
As we approach the end of June, we at LiveWell want to take a moment to acknowledge the significance of Pride Month within long-term residential care communities.
Sage, a national organization that provides advocacy and services for LGBTQ+ Elders teamed up with the National Resource Center on LBGT Aging to find that LGBT older adults are diverse, widespread, and a growing segment of the population nationally. But they are more likely to experience poverty and homelessness and have poor physical and mental health. And sadly, 34% of all LGBT older adults worry about having to hide their identity in order to find housing.
In Oregon, the LGBTQ+ Older Adult Survey Report commissioned by Oregon’s Department of Human Services in 2021 found that:
Approximately 3.4% of Oregonians aged 55 and older identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB), a higher percentage compared to the national estimate for this age group
LGB older adults in Oregon are diverse, with higher levels of education
They face economic challenges and discrimination
They are more likely to be people of color, living at or below the poverty level, unmarried, living alone, and experiencing health disparities
The study identified key service needs of LGBTQ+ older adults in Oregon, including medical and health services, social support programs, mental health, and substance use treatments, food assistance, medication assistance, and transportation.
What can we do to recognize the needs of LGBTQ+ older adults?
Education and Awareness: Knowledge is power. Take the time to educate yourself and your team about the history of Pride Month, LGBTQ+ terminology, and the unique challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community, especially within the shared space of a residential care community. Sharing this knowledge with empathy and respect will foster a more inclusive environment.
Create a Safe Space: Encourage open dialogue and create a safe and welcoming space for residents and team members to express their thoughts, concerns, and experiences. Active listening, empathy, and compassion are key to establishing an environment where everyone feels accepted and supported. Consider using a LiveWell tool like, Who Am I, to learn someone’s story.
Display Symbols of Inclusion: Decorate common areas with Pride flags or other symbols of inclusion to visually demonstrate your commitment to diversity. This simple act can have a profound impact on residents, staff, and visitors, signaling that your community is a safe haven for all. Perhaps add a badge to your Community Quality Board, and not just for Pride Month!
Engage in LGBTQ+ Advocacy: Get involved with groups that prioritize inclusive policies, services, education, and research at the state level. Partner with local LGBTQ+ organizations and attend events that support LGBTQ+ causes. By actively engaging in advocacy efforts, you will demonstrate your commitment to fostering inclusivity beyond your immediate environment.
Training and Sensitivity Programs: Organize and attend workshops or training sessions focused on LGBTQ+ sensitivity and cultural competency. These programs will help equip your team with the necessary tools to better understand and meet the unique needs of LGBTQ+ residents, thereby fostering a more inclusive and supportive care environment.
Celebrating Pride Month is not just about one month of recognition; it’s about creating a culture of inclusion and acceptance every day, year round.
As leaders and caregivers, you have the power to make a positive impact on the lives of residents and colleagues. By creating a safe and inclusive environment, you can ensure that every individual feels seen, valued, and celebrated for who they are.
Why should you join a learning cohort and do LiveWell?
Because it helps you create the kind of communities where staff and residents thrive together. Where literally everyone works in sync to innovate care, nurture dignity, build community, and honor elders. It is possible. We can do this if we focus on five core principles:
ENGAGE: LiveWell offers practices and tools that include everyone, which helps staff and residents build an equitable and inclusive community. This connects every team member to their community’s mission of caring. Every person knows that they belong and are a valuable part of making their community a better place to live and work.
EMPOWER: These same practices and tools improve teamwork and communication, making it easy for people to take meaningful action through a process called person-centered design that continuously improves the care and safety of residents and staff.
EXPLORE: This is about seeking innovative ideas, technologies, and new ways of living and working that contribute to everyone's well-being. It also encourages teams to showcase innovators in the field, promising emerging technologies, and new ideas that improve care.
EXCEL: LiveWell-trained teams are better together. By using the unique combination of their particular strengths, they are able to provide excellent care for everyone. They also leverage their leadership strengths to accelerate excellence through peer-to-peer learning, which provides a pathway to higher levels of mastery.
EVOLVE: Mistakes are learning opportunities. That perspective values and cultivates a growth mindset. When an organization achieves this focus, it will have developed a culture that sustains continuous improvement and nurtures innovation.
LiveWell also helps retain staff and build community. Communities that do LiveWell have a 60% decrease in staff turnover. LiveWell also improves the quality of life for staff AND residents. Residents have fewer falls and fewer medication errors, while staff experience fewer workplace injuries.
LiveWell communities also reduce their costs: reduced falls and increased staff retention help communities save an average of $135,900 annually.
Wishing you all joyful and inclusive communities!
— Barbara, Steve, Andy, Marcus, Cecilia, Whitney, Ann, Miles, and Judy