Search results for ‘Subject term:"care homes"’ Sort:
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Developing inclusive care homes for older people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT)
- Authors:
- WILLIS Paul, et al
- Publisher:
- University of Bristol. Policy Bristol
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Pagination:
- 2
- Place of publication:
- Bristol
Briefly reports on an action research project which worked with a large care home provider and six care homes in England to increase awareness amongst staff about sexual and gender diversity and social inclusion. The research took a co-productive approach by recruiting eight volunteer LGBT Community Advisors (CAs) who engaged in sensitive, and sometimes personally challenging conversations with staff and managers. The evaluation found evidence of improved awareness by managers and staff during and after the three month intervention. The briefing highlights key implications for policy in relation to developing inclusive care homes. (Edited publisher abstract)
Queer, visible, present: the visibility of older LGB adults in long-term care environments
- Author:
- WILLIS Paul
- Journal article citation:
- Housing Care and Support, 20(3), 2017, pp.110-120.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: This paper is a conceptual discussion of the ways in which the diverse lives, identities and collective politics of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people can be made visible, and how they are made visible, in long-term care environments for older people. The purpose of this paper is to problematise strategies of visibility as methods for promoting social inclusion in care environments. Design/methodology/approach: This is a conceptual discussion that draws on several social theorists that have previously discussed the politics of visibility, knowledge and sexuality. Findings: Promoting increased visibility in itself does not fully grapple with the ways in which older LGB can be represented and known as particular kinds of sexual citizens. This potentially curtails a more holistic recognition of their needs, interests and wishes, inclusive of their sexual lives and histories. Making LGB lives visible in care environments may not always be a productive or affirmative strategy for dismantling homophobic views and beliefs. Practical implications: The theoretical implications of a politics of visibility warrant a deeper consideration of strategies for promoting visibility. The paper concludes with a discussion of some of the practical implications for rethinking strategies of visibility in care environments. Originality/value: Critical discussions about the application of visibility strategies, and the problematic assumptions contained within such strategies, are lacking in relation to mainstream housing and social care provision for older LGB people. This paper seeks to initiate this important discussion. (Publisher abstract)
‘Everyday advocates’ for inclusive care? Perspectives on enhancing the provision of long-term care services for older lesbian, gay and bisexual adults in Wales
- Authors:
- WILLIS Paul, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Social Work, 47(2), 2017, pp.409-426.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
This paper centres on a neglected area of social work with older people - the social inclusion of older lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) adults in long-term care environments. The translation of equality law into the delivery of adult care services is a challenging endeavour for organisations, even more so in the morally contested terrain of sexual well-being. This report presents findings from a mixed-methods study into the provision of long-term care for older adults who identify as lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB). Herein we present findings from a survey of care workers and managers (n = 121) and from focus groups with equality and LGB stakeholder representatives (n = 20) in Wales. Focusing on the current knowledge and understanding of staff, the authors suggest that affirmative beliefs and practices with sexual minorities are evident amongst care workers and managers; however, the inclusion of LGB residents needs to be advanced systemically at structural, cultural and individual levels of provision. There is a need for enhancing awareness of the legacy of enduring discrimination for older LGB people, for cultural acceptance in care environments of older people's sexual desires and relationships, and for a more explicit implementation of equality legislation. Social workers in adult care can advance this agenda. (Edited publisher abstract)
Provision of inclusive and anti-discriminatory services to older lesbian, gay, bisexual-identifying (LGB) people in residential care environments in Wales
- Author:
- WILLIS Paul
- Publisher:
- Swansea University. Centre for Innovative Ageing
- Publication year:
- 2013
- Pagination:
- 5
- Place of publication:
- Swansea
This research paper examines the current level of inclusive care being provided by care environments to older lesbian, gay, bisexual-identifying (LGB) people in Wales. The research aimed to identify and examine: the level of support for sexual identities and relationships of older LGB residents provided by care and nursing staff in care environments, agency management and policy at provider and national levels; the attitudes and perceptions of care and nursing staff towards older people’s sexual practices and older LGB residents and their sexual needs and relationships; and the hopes, expectations and concerns of LGB adults about residential care services. The research comprised a mixed methods approach, including content analysis of Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) Inspection reports; survey of care and nursing staff and managers; semi-structured interviews with LGB adults; and focus groups with stakeholders. The findings indicate a widespread lack of recognition of the care needs of older LGB people in care environments in Wales, from CSSIW reports to survey and focus group data. While most respondents indicate affirmative and permissive attitudes towards the sexual lives of older people and LGB people more generally, the survey findings indicate large gaps in their knowledge of changes in sexual functioning in older years and important aspects of LGB history. The paper calls for policy makers to articulate more concrete actions on how services can be supported and resourced to ensure care and nursing staff are actively including older LGB people in their practice. (Edited publisher abstract)
Swimming upstream: the provision of inclusive care to older lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) adults in residential and nursing environments in Wales
- Authors:
- WILLIS Paul, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 36(2), 2016, pp.282-306.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
This paper examines the ways in which older people's residential and nursing homes can constitute heteronormative environments – social spaces in which the same-sex attractions and desires of residents are disregarded in the provision of everyday care. The aim of this discussion is to examine the synergies and differences between older lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) adults' expectations for future care home provision and the expectations of care staff and managers in providing residential services to older people with diverse sexual backgrounds. This paper presents qualitative evidence from research into the provision of care environments in Wales. It discusses the findings from two cohorts: first, from five focus groups with care and nursing staff and managers; and second, from 29 semi-structured interviews with older LGB adults (50–76 years) residing in urban and rural locations across Wales. The authors argues that residential care environments can constitute heterosexualised spaces in which LGB identities are neglected in comparison to the needs and preferences of other residents. The paper then discusses how care staff and managers can be more attentive and responsive to the sexual biographies of all residents and argues against the separation of care and sexual orientation in practice. (Edited publisher abstract)