cfa lgbt housing guide updated-4 (1) - Flipbook - Page 27
HOUSING GUIDE
Best Practice
BEST PRACTICE
LGBTCompetency
Training for
Staff
Perhaps the most impactful step a senior housing
community can take in creating a welcoming
environment for LGBT residents is to facilitate LGBTcompetency training for all its staff. These sessions aim
to increase awareness and understanding, and explain
core competencies of caring for LGBT seniors. In
ensuring that every resident receives quality care, staff
will learn about the added dynamics needed to provide
a safe and friendly environment for LGBT seniors.
Coalition for Aging LGBT offers a one-hour, participatory,
in-service training for staff based on the work of Lavender
Seniors in the Bay Area. With permission, we utilize
segments of the video “Creating a Healthcare Practice
Welcoming to LGBT seniors” interspersed with discussion,
questions and contextual application. Co-facilitators
(one from the CFA LGBT and one from the community
being served) lead participants through segments dealing
26 cfa.lgbt
Best Practice
HOUSING GUIDE
with basic terminology, use of pronouns,
visual cues, and dynamics of the closet such
as social isolation, all which can impact
accessing appropriate care.
This in-service acknowledges that people are
at different places regarding awareness of
LGBT terms, history and social issues.
We acknowledge that there may be staff
who hold differing religious or political views
about LGBT rights. This in-service is nonconfrontational and focuses on the goals of
each community to provide equal treatment,
respect and dignity to all residents and what
is needed to help LGBT seniors feel fully
included in those goals.
We recommend all staff participate in this
in-service, as even a single staff member
can have a significant influence on the
experience of LGBT seniors. By having a
member of their staff co-facilitate, we leave
them with an identified person they can
approach with any further questions or
concerns.
Colleen Darraugh (CFA LGBT) and Tish Smith (Monarch
Pavilion) after a positive, lively in-service with staff.
cfa.lgbt 27