Cultural Competence Training for Healthcare Professionals Working with LGBT Older Adults

Abstract

The population of the aging lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community is significant and growing rapidly. As LGBT individuals age and begin to move into healthcare communities, they are fearful of apathy, discrimination, and abuse by healthcare providers and other residents. Person-centered cultural competence and sensitivity among service providers is necessary in order for LGBT individuals to share the same quality of life as other members of the aging community. Programming developed to educate healthcare professionals and aging-services providers on issues related to aging as an LGBT adult must be thoughtfully evaluated to show both efficacy and impact.